If you suffer from acne, you know that when your skin breaks out you want to get rid of the pimples quickly. Washing your face and applying topical medications may help, but there's something you can do that may help prevent your acne from flaring up in the first place: eating foods that contain the minerals zinc and selenium.
Whole Grains
Whole grains such as brown rice and whole wheat bread contain selenium. You can try to prevent acne flare-ups by taking selenium supplements, the Skin Care Physicans website reports, but it's best to turn to whole grains. Your body absorbs nutrients best from food that's in its natural form. The Linus Pauling Institute states he recommended daily amount of selenium is 55 mcg for both men and women. A 1 cup serving of cooked brown rice contains 19 mcg of selenium and two slices of whole wheat bread contain 23 mcg of selenium, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
Nuts
Nuts contain zinc that may help prevent acne flare-ups. Diets low in zinc make acne symptoms worse, reports DermNet NZ website. A 1 oz. serving of cashews contains 1.6 mcg of zinc, a 1 oz. serving of almonds contains 1 mcg, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. The institute recommends 11 mg zinc daily for men and 8 mg daily for women. Nuts contain selenium as well. Brazil nuts provide 544 mcg of selenium in just a 1 oz. serving -- far more than any other type of food, the Linus Pauling Institute reports.
Meat and Seafood
Many varieties of meat and seafood contain zinc, selenium or both: a 3 oz. serving of crab contains 4.7 mg of zinc and 41 mcg of selenium; a 3 oz. serving of beef contains 6 mg of zinc and 16 mcg of selenium; and a 3 oz. serving of chicken contains 1.8 mg of zinc and 13 mcg of selenium, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
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