Symptoms of rosacea, a chronic skin condition, include facial swelling and redness. No known cure exists for rosacea, but avoiding triggers such as sun exposure and certain foods may reduce flareups. Anecdotal evidence suggests that trans fat, found in processed food, may worsen symptoms of rosacea, although scientific research has not confirmed it.
Rosacea Symptoms
Fair-skinned women, particularly those who blush easily, are more likely to suffer from rosacea. Men, if affected, may experience more severe symptoms. An outbreak may confine itself to a small section of your face -- your nose, for instance -- or may cause your entire face, including your forehead and eyelids, to swell. Your face may simply turn red or become inflamed with acne-like eruptions. Sometimes spider-like vessels appear and, over time, rosacea may lead to permanent conditions, such as a bulbous nose.
Rosacea Triggers
Although rosacea is harmless, it can make you uncomfortable and embarrassed. Keep a diary to help pinpoint foods or activities that precede -- and may cause -- breakouts. Known food triggers include alcohol, spicy foods and hot beverages. If you spend too much time in the sun or exercise too strenuously, you may also worsen symptoms. Trans fat may be a rosacea trigger. Eliminating trans fats will not harm -- and will likely help -- your overall health, so you can eliminate trans fats to help treat rosacea.
Trans Fat
Trans fat is an artificial fat created when a solid fat is made from liquid vegetable oil. Margarine and shortening, for instance, contain trans fat. Many commercial baked goods, candy and processed snacks contain trans fat. Fried foods, including doughnuts and onion rings, contain trans fat if they are cooked in shortening or other hydrogenated oil. By law, food nutrient labels must tell you if a product contains more than 0.5 g of trans fat per serving. But if you're sensitive to trans fat, smaller amounts could harm you.
Considerations
Trans fat can make you more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes. Trans fat elevates your triglycerides, a type of artery-clogging fat, and lowers your protective high-density lipoprotein -- HDL or "good" cholesterol. Even if trans fat does not affect your rosacea symptoms, it makes sense to avoid it. The American Heart Association recommends that you include no more than 2 g of trans fat in your daily diet. A tablespoon of margarine or a typical candy bar contains 3 g of trans fat.
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