Friday, June 28, 2013

Peer Reviewed Studies Showing the Relationship between Acne and High Glycemic Diets, Dairy and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1.

Here's a list of Peer Reviewed Studies and Papers that Illustrate the Relationship between Diet and Acne.


Role of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, hyperglycaemic food and milk consumption in the
pathogenesis of acne vulgaris http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19709092

Takeaway:  The hormone IGF-1 is stimulated by insulin and in dairy and is a major factor in acne formation.


Short-term isotretinoin treatment decreases insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levelshttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20128787

Takeaway: Isotretinoin, aka Accutane,  works by decreasing IGF-1, which you could instead reduce by avoiding a high glycemic diet and by limiting dairy neither of which have dangerous side effects.

 Insulin & Glucose role on Sex Hormone production http://www.ncbi.nlm....ist_uids=193114  

This is a study on men with heart disease, but resulted in one of the earlier discoveries in the relation ship between insulin and hormones.  

Takeaway:  Insulin and glucose stimulate hormone production. Excess insulin and glucose means excess hormones. 

Acne in Adolescence and Cause-specific Mortality: Lower Coronary Heart Disease but Higher Prostate Cancer Mortality  (Scary title, I know).  http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/161/12/1094.full

This is a Study on the relationship between acne and prostrate cancer. Because many of the same hormones, IGF1 and Androgens are involved in both conditions.   The researchers discuss the role of diet on these hormones

Diet, serum insulin-like growth factor-I and IGF-binding protein-3 in European women
http://www.nature.co...s/1602494a.html

Takeaway: Once again, another study finds diet affects the hormones involved in acne.


Decreased serum insulin-like growth factor I response to growth hormone in hypophysectomized rats fed a low protein diet: evidence for a postreceptor defect
http://www.eje-onlin...tract/117/3/320

Diet, insulin-resistance and chronic inflammation
http://www.tifn.nl/w...a...A009&Prog=A

Acne and chronic inflammation (and Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (allergy)
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/15688807
http://www.ncbi.nlm....t...h&db=pubmed

Inflammation and insulin resistance
http://www.pubmedcen...i?artid=1483173
http://www.scienceda...71106133106.htm
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlere...$=activity

There's a growing renewed interest in the diet acne connection and that in addition to studies on acne, they utilize data on other conditions with known connections to the factors involved in acne:
http://www.medscape....rticle/579326_1

Other article summarizing some connections
http://www.cancersup.....Diet Acne.pdf


Study on diet affecting PMS
http://www.greenjour...t/full/95/2/245

For Mor: 
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/230714-good-things-for-the-many-factors-that-lead-to-acne/page-2#entry2637530

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Aloe Vera Gel Stimulates Collagen Production, Increases Skin Elasticity, and Reduces Wrinkles

Researchers Find that a Small Daily Dose of Aloe Vera Gel Works Wonders on Wrinkles and Elasticity.


In a study done at Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, researchers found that an oral dose as small as  of Aloe Vera significantly improves wrinkles and elasticity in photoaged human skin, with an increase in collagen production both by upregulating procollagen and down regulating collagen degrading gene expression.

The study was performed on 30 females over the age of 45.  They received two different doses, however, the study found no significant increase in benefit from the larger dose.  And the larger dose is a bit less than one teaspoon! The lower dose is about one quarter of a teaspoon.

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/research-tsp-aloe-daily-reverses-signs-skin-aging

Consuming Aloe Vera to Improve Skin 

You do need to purchase aloe vera gel that is intended to be ingested from a health food, vitamin stores and the health food section of many grocery stores. Not the gels found in the sunscreen and moisturizer aisles.  Those might be 100% gel, but they aren't 100% aloe vera.  Better yet, grow your own.

Store it in the refrigerator and simply add it to your favorite beverage.  I recommend green smoothies made from greens and fruit you desire for the skin and health benefitting magnesium, caratenoids and multitude of other nutrients found in greens. They don't call them superfoods for nothing. Throw in a blender. You may also add yogurt or kefir, avocado, flax seed, nut or seed butter. Recipes are endless but I make them out of whatever I have on hand.  You can also make a savory one with herbs and spices. Instead of sweet fruits, try tomatoes and cucumber for a gazpacho like drink. Blending breaks down cell walls and starts enzyme actions. Both of these increase the amount of nutrients your body absorbs.  It's a great way to get both the greens and raw foods you should have daily.

Numerous Benefits of Aloe Vera Gel to Skin and Health

Aloe vera has numerous other benefits. Taken orally it helps to restore mucin linings of your digestive tract damaged by gluten and other anti-nutrients and lowers blood sugar (which also benefits your skin). It also improves periodontal disease.

Topically, it's a fabulous, soothing for numerous skin ailments and injuries from acne, rosacea and psoriasis to rashes and burns.  Years ago, after first being diagnosed with rosacea, I used a prescription topical treatment. When it ran out, I discovered that Aloe Vera gel worked just as well.  And later I found diet worked even better. 

It's even a fabulous hair gel.  I only use it to tame flyaways when I have my hair pulled back, but I've heard from others that have a more serious hair gel need that it does really work.

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/aloe-gel-significantly-improves-wrinkles-and-elasticity-photoaged-human-skin

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/research-tsp-aloe-daily-reverses-signs-skin-aging