Does Whey Give You Acne?

Many foods have been linked to acne, but most of these associations are not founded in scientific research. More data seems to point in the direction of high insulin levels as a cause for acne, as explained in the December 2002 issue of "Archives of Internal Medicine." Some foods or food ingredients promote higher insulin levels, such as whey, compared to others, and could therefore have a role to play in acne.

Whey in Foods

Dairy products contain two main proteins, casein and whey. These two proteins are found in most dairy products, including milk, chocolate milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream. High-fat dairy products, such as cream and butter, only contain traces of protein and are not a big source of either whey or casein. Whey protein powder can also be purchased in its isolated or concentrated form. Many people add whey to their post-workout smoothie to increase their protein intake and promote muscle synthesis and recovery.

Whey and Insulin

Insulin is usually released after you eat carbohydrates, which are mainly found in grains, sugar, starchy vegetables, fruits, milk and yogurt. Although whey is a protein, it has the unique ability to stimulate the production of insulin from your pancreas to the same extent as white wheat bread, according to a study published in July 2001 in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," even without containing carbohydrates. If the whey-containing food or beverage you eat also contain carbohydrates from milk, yogurt, fruits or sugar, your insulin levels will raise even higher than if you have the whey alone.

Whey and Acne

Although no studies have specifically looked at the effect of consuming whey and resulting acne, the theory suggests that any foods that elevate your insulin levels can trigger the formation of pimples. Because whey can raise your insulin levels, it could give you acne. High insulin levels are associated with many other hormones, such as IGF-1, that are involved in the complex development of acne.

Control Your Acne

Until more studies are done to determine whether whey can directly influence your acne problems and skin health, you can do your own experimentation. Try avoiding whey-containing dairy products for a month or two to see if your skin clears up. Replace your post-workout snack with mashed sweet potato with chicken breast or fruits and nuts. If you don't observe any changes, you will know that whey is not contributing to your acne and that you can eat it without any problems.