Continuing a series of articles on Integrative Medicine, Nutritionist Belinda Rennie looks at nutritional approaches to skin problems such as acne.

Integrative medicine holistically blends western medicine with complimentary therapies to maximize the body’s innate potential for self-healing. Like other skin conditions, acne needs to be treated from an internal perspective. What imbalances in the body are causing increases in the secretion of the sebaceous glands of the skin creating a fertile environment for bacteria to thrive?

Factors that can contribute to acne include heredity, hormone imbalance, stress, bowel bacteria imbalances, high fat and sugar diets and food and chemical sensitivity. Acne often arises at puberty when the body dramatically increases it’s production of androgens (male sex hormones). These hormones stimulate the production of sebum, oily secretions which can build up in the pores of the skin.

During this sensitive time of growth and development, acne can affect self-esteem, naturally with most people wanting a quick resolution to the problem usually with drugs. Natural approaches using herbs and nutritional therapy do not have the severe side effects of long term antibiotics or accutane but can take three months to show improvements.

Acne is unheard of in traditional societies and is mostly a problem of western civilization with diets high in refined sugars, animal fats and processed foods. Fatty secretions of sweat glands in people with acne show marked increase with high animal fat diets, carbohydrates and sugar.

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Complementary solutions include: 

    Wholefood diet high in fresh vegetables, fruits and fibre to correct constipation.

    High protein diet preferably fish to improve liver detoxification and elimination of excess hormones.

    Check for food sensitivity by eliminating suspect foods including caffeine containing foods, chocolate and nuts.

    Chromium supplements can help improve insulin effectiveness and blood sugar control.

    Supplement with antioxidant nutrients including selenium, Vitamin E, vitamin A and zinc. Vitamin B complex, especially B5 helps improve the metabolism of fatty acids and B6 and folic acid if acne is related to the menstrual cycle.

    Correct bowel bacteria imbalance with the use of probiotics like lactobacillus acidophilus.

    Supplement with essential fatty acids from omega 3 (flaxseed and fish) and 6 (evening primrose oil) sources.

    Avoid iodine, excess iron, and excess Vitamin B12 which can aggravate acne.

    Tea tree oil, calendula and lavender are useful antibacterial essential oils for treating acne. Specific herbs for blood and liver cleansing include burdock, dandelion and milk thistle.

Like the kidneys and the liver, the skin eliminates the body’s toxic waste products. In fact, some doctors call the skin the third kidney. Liver and kidney cleansing programs in conjunction with a spectrum of healing remedies outlined above can give the best results for many skin conditions including acne.

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