Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the skin glands become blocked with oil or inflamed. The result are blemishes, bumps or pimples on the face. While acne is most common in teenagers, you can still develop it into adulthood. Medication is often key in treatment. However, adjusting your diet can help you to minimize the severity of breakouts as well.
Normal Diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of preventing or minimizing the development of most medical conditions. On average, most adults consume 2,000 calories per day, although you might eat slightly more or slightly less depending on your gender, age or level of physical activity. In addition, the calories you eat should come from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, dairy and minimal amounts of fat and sugar, states the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Fat
It is a common misconception that eating excessive amounts of chocolate or fast food cause acne. While research has not proved this, you can discern that moderating your intake of fat can moderate the amount of oil in your skin glands. In addition, many varieties of chocolate-flavored foods contain increased amounts of fat. Therefore, limiting your intake of chocolate is not a bad option. If you eat an average of 2,000 calories, you can eat between 44 and 78 g of total fat per day. If you have acne, talk to your doctor about reducing fat intake.
Vitamin A
Many acne treatment products contain vitamin A. Vitamin A is an essential vitamin so it should be consumed every day. Ensuring that you meet your daily vitamin A recommendation is important because it supports your overall health and can alleviate your acne. The National Institutes of Health, or NIH, recommend that men age 19 and older consume 900 mcg of vitamin A per day and that women age 19 and older consume 700 mcg of vitamin A per day. Consuming plant sources of vitamin A helps you to moderate your fat intake as well as meeting your daily vitamin A intake. Carrots, carrot juice and spinach contain the highest concentrations of vitamin A, ranging from 175 to 450 percent of the daily recommendation.
Zinc
Zinc is also an essential mineral because it contributes to the health of your immune system and promotes healing in the body. The NIH advises that men age 19 and older consume 11 mg of zinc and that women age 19 and older consume 8 mg of zinc. Foods such as oysters, crab and breakfast cereals contain significant amounts of zinc yet minimal amounts of fat.
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