Health and Fitness – Fitness Made Easy

Nutritional Supplements that can clear up Acne

Ask any number of dermatologists if poor digestion is a cause of acne,  and you’re likely to get the same answer from each: No

This is precisely why dermatologists don’t always cure acne.

Acne has generated a list of very potent  and expensive medications,  including topical and oral antibiotics.

Yes,  these medications can control acne,  as long as you continue to use them.  Many cases of acne could be cured – cleared up for good -  by improving the health of the digestive tract.

The gastrointestinal (GI)  tract is the body’s primary organ of elimination.  When your intestines are loaded with  ” pro-inflammatory substances”  -  biochemical toxins generated by the saturated fat in the animal products and the hydrogenated fat in processed foods as well as by refined sugar, coffee, and alcohol  -  the body looks for a  ” second venue”  to get rid of the debris.  It often finds that dumping ground in the sebaceous glands,  oil-secreting glands that generate pimples when they’re blocked with gunk.

When the GI tract is cooled down with anti- inflammatory fats  -  the fatty acids that are found in foods such as cold-water fish,  nuts,  and seeds can eliminate the pro-inflammatory substances without sending them to the skin.  And that can clear up adult acne.

FATTY ACIDS:   For Premenstrual Breakouts

Physicians state that a lot of women in there twenties and thirties who have cyclical acne – who always break out  2 to 3   days before their periods.  Some physicians give them a supplement,  which supplies a therapeutic balance of fatty acids from borage oil,  fish,  and flaxseed oils.  Typical patients take two or three soft-gel capsules a day with food.

It is absolutely amazing results,  not only does the acne go away,  but as the GI tract functions better,  women hair and nails get stronger,  they have fewer problems with irregularity,  they sleep better,  and their libidos are stronger.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS:  An Anti-Acne Program

Many  nutritional supplements can help heal acne and prevent outbreaks.  Here are some vitamins and minerals that are recommended:

• Beta- carotene:  This form of vitamin A  may help protect the skin from bacteria,  which contributes to acne.
• B- complex vitamins: These are thought to help you cope with stress,  which can contribute to skin problem.
• Vitamin C:  It is considered essential for the health of collagen,  a component of the skin.
• Vitamin E:  This nutrient can help the body assimilate vitamin A.
• Zinc:  This is believed to be one of the most important minerals for healthy skin.

ACUPRESSURE:  Clear Up Congestion

Acne occurs when the flow of “liver chi” is stagnant or blocked.

Four acupressure points are particularly effective for premenstrual acne. Stimulating the points SP6  and  SP9 releases congestive energy that causes menstrual problems,  while stimulating  LV3  and  LV4  helps release toxicity in the body.  Twice a week, sit on a chair and use your thumb to make circular movements in a clockwise direction in and around each point or about 1 minute.  Press hard enough to cause slight pain,  but not so much that  you want to stop.

HERBS:  A Formula to Eliminate Toxins

Herbal remedies,  both Chinese and Western,  can help heal acne and prevent recurrences by cleansing the lymphatic system. A good combination of equal parts of the tinctures of nine herbs:  red clover, burdock, yellow dock,  dang gui , milk thistle, cleavers, schisandra, echinacea, and licorice.

Bring 1 quart of water to boil and add 1 ounce of combined tinctures.  Turn off the heat and steep for 30 minutes.  Drink two cups a day for up to 3 months.  You can refrigerate the unused portion for up to a week.

Along with lymphatic cleaners, the formula contains herbs that are thought to support the liver,  nourish the blood,  and fight infection-  all factors that are crucial in healing acne.

HYDROTHERAPY:  An Herbal Stream Bath for your Face

A weekly steam bath for your face can open and drain the pores,  helping to heal acne and prevent new outbreaks.  Adding the herb yarrow to the steaming water is very healing to the skin.  Using 1  teaspoon of loose lea or a tea bag,  prepare an 8 ounce cup of yarrow tea,   steep for  30  minutes,  and add it to a basin of steaming water.  Lean over the basin for  5  to  10  minutes,  holding a towel over your face as a kind of hood to keep the steam on your face.  Your face should be close enough to feel the steam  ( about 12  inches away ) but not so close that it burns.

If your acne is severe,  use a steam bath two three times a week.  If you get acne every now and then,  use once a week to help prevent outbreaks.

Roberto Garcia (Health & Fitness Specialist) 
http://www.newhealthandfitnessdvds.co.uk

Specialist provider of Health and Fitness information and products including Fitness DVDs, Health & Fitness Books and Specialist Health & Fitness Supplements.

Tags: Acne, Anti-Acne Program, Congestion, Herbal remedies., sebaceous glands

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 31st, 2010 at 2:59 pm and is filed under Medical. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.