It has been of huge debate whether ingesting milk actually does
trigger acne to appear or become worse. It has been stated before that
you are what you eat and what you take into your body will show through
to your skin. We constantly recommend a diet high in organic fruits and
vegetables, a moderate amount of lean proteins like chicken and fish,
and a healthy amount of whole grains and nuts. But what do we recommend
when it comes to dairy, especially milk? Well that is where it gets a
bit tricky. There has been much proof that using milk as a topical
treatment on your face, like in a face mask for example, is beneficial for your skin but what about when it comes to regularly drinking a big glass of cold milk?
What Research Shows
Scientists have found a link between milk drinkers and acne – One specific study written about in the May 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found
that boys in the teenage years that drank milk regularly had the worst
cases of acne. Other studies that include females have found the same
results. Dairy products like cottage cheese and chocolate milk also
triggered acne but regular cheeses and yogurts were not horrible
triggers like milk.
What in Milk Causes Acne?
Vitamin D was eliminated from the equation since those who spend time
outdoors don’t get acne from enjoying the sun (from which Vitamin D is
emitted) in moderation. Nor do those who take Vitamin D supplements have
breakouts. Studies have shown that skim milk can often cause worse
breakouts than whole milk or reduced-fat milk so the fat content within
milk is not a trigger. Research suggests that the cause of breakouts for
milk drinkers seems to be the hormones that are in milk. The specific
hormone in milk that seems to trigger acne breakouts is androgen
hormones.
A certain type of androgen hormones we are familiar with is
testosterone. Testosterone is heavily linked to causing acne. Men and
women both have testosterone in their bodies, but women at a much
smaller scale. DHT (di-hydrotestosterone) is created from testosterone
through a complex chain of events. DHT has been found to awaken the
sebaceous glands, causing more oil to be released to the surface of the
skin, causing pores to be clogged with this excess oil and acne-causing
bacteria, thus creating acne.
Many dairy farmers have also been found to inject added hormones to
the cows to get them produce more milk for them to sell. These hormones
cause the milk to become more potent to acne formation. This high level
of hormone in milk is known as IGF-1, which is a growth hormone that can
react negatively in teenagers since their IGF-1 climaxes during these
adolescent years.
Others believe that all of this is a myth. The Dairy Council said the
findings were “skewed” while some doctors don’t think there is enough
evidence to prove this theory.
What Can You Do?
Regardless if you drink milk in moderation or in excess, the best
milk to drink is organic milk. Organic milk is free of added hormones,
chemicals, and pesticides so you will be healthier overall and will more
than likely have clearer skin due to being healthier. Luckily, organic
prices have gone down since there is a higher demand for organic food
and drink in general. You should not have a difficult time finding
organic milk for just a slightly higher price than regular milk and even
if you have to spend $2 more, the benefits to your health are worth
it. It’s important to follow a healthy diet in general to feel and look
your best. Remember, start with taking care of your body from within
and it will exude out.
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