I actually discovered that I might be gluten intolerant, as I read more and more about the root causes of chronic acne, food allergies/intolerances, and basically learned more about anatomy, and the chemical processes that go on inside of our bodies.
I have experienced chronic acne on my face chest and back for years, and tried everything known to man for relief. I had been to several dermatologists, and tried various perscription strength topicals, and accutane; all to no avail. Whenever i searched for articles connecting acne to wheat, dairy, gluten and various other comman food allergies, I was amazed to read of others experiences.
I tried a general elimination diet of wheat and dairy, and noticed an immediate improvement, especially on my chest and back. We all know how hard it is to try and quit eating these things that are central to the S.A.D. diet; so I messed up after the first two weeks and ate a burger, then just thought 'screw it' and did about two good days of gluten eating.
What followed was a horrible break-out on my face chest and back; the deep type of cystic acne that just SUCKS! I figured that there may be more of a connection than I thought, so I tried to continue with a general gluten-free rather than just wheat-free diet, after realizing that I might have experienced quite a few of the symptoms of gluten-intolerance (and Celiac, although everyone seems to discourage self-diagnosis, I am quite fed up with the western medical system).
I had previously experienced very many symptoms of anemia without even realizing it, including dizziness, chest pains, cold & numb hands and feet, paleness, etc. I had also experienced a myriad of different digestive..... styles. An inability to gain weight normally, short stature, the odd stools, as well as many of the psychological symptoms described; depression/anxiety, fatigue/exhaustion (at a very young age), and irritability.
As I've cut gluten out completely, only two to three weeks ago, not only have the break outs on my chest and back pretty much ceased completely and my face is clearing faster than I have EVER seen or experienced (except when I ingested the horrible-for-your-liver drug accutane), but many of the other sympotms have been coming to a stand still as well. I feel (and LOOK) great!
From what I have gathered, if you already have a predisposition towards acne, and you are gluten intolerant/celiac, this is an definite recipe for breakouts. Let me explain; the partially, or improperly digested gluten-proteins get thrown into the blood stream and treated as toxic invaders. Your immune system - which is probably already working over-time as a result of chronic-inflammation - goes crazy on these 'bacteria' and tries to kick them out through the skin; the largest elimination organ in the human body. A stressed out liver, and blood-sugar issues only exacerbate the problem for many. The inflammation factor is also what makes the blemishes red and 'inflamed'.
That is the shortest and easiest way to put it, but if anybody wants to read more about this connection just type in 'gluten and acne' on google.
Acne And Gluten...
in Related Issues & Disorders
Posted
I actually discovered that I might be gluten intolerant, as I read more and more about the root causes of chronic acne, food allergies/intolerances, and basically learned more about anatomy, and the chemical processes that go on inside of our bodies.
I have experienced chronic acne on my face chest and back for years, and tried everything known to man for relief. I had been to several dermatologists, and tried various perscription strength topicals, and accutane; all to no avail. Whenever i searched for articles connecting acne to wheat, dairy, gluten and various other comman food allergies, I was amazed to read of others experiences.
I tried a general elimination diet of wheat and dairy, and noticed an immediate improvement, especially on my chest and back. We all know how hard it is to try and quit eating these things that are central to the S.A.D. diet; so I messed up after the first two weeks and ate a burger, then just thought 'screw it' and did about two good days of gluten eating.
What followed was a horrible break-out on my face chest and back; the deep type of cystic acne that just SUCKS! I figured that there may be more of a connection than I thought, so I tried to continue with a general gluten-free rather than just wheat-free diet, after realizing that I might have experienced quite a few of the symptoms of gluten-intolerance (and Celiac, although everyone seems to discourage self-diagnosis, I am quite fed up with the western medical system).
I had previously experienced very many symptoms of anemia without even realizing it, including dizziness, chest pains, cold & numb hands and feet, paleness, etc. I had also experienced a myriad of different digestive..... styles. An inability to gain weight normally, short stature, the odd stools, as well as many of the psychological symptoms described; depression/anxiety, fatigue/exhaustion (at a very young age), and irritability.
As I've cut gluten out completely, only two to three weeks ago, not only have the break outs on my chest and back pretty much ceased completely and my face is clearing faster than I have EVER seen or experienced (except when I ingested the horrible-for-your-liver drug accutane), but many of the other sympotms have been coming to a stand still as well. I feel (and LOOK) great!
From what I have gathered, if you already have a predisposition towards acne, and you are gluten intolerant/celiac, this is an definite recipe for breakouts. Let me explain; the partially, or improperly digested gluten-proteins get thrown into the blood stream and treated as toxic invaders. Your immune system - which is probably already working over-time as a result of chronic-inflammation - goes crazy on these 'bacteria' and tries to kick them out through the skin; the largest elimination organ in the human body. A stressed out liver, and blood-sugar issues only exacerbate the problem for many. The inflammation factor is also what makes the blemishes red and 'inflamed'.
That is the shortest and easiest way to put it, but if anybody wants to read more about this connection just type in 'gluten and acne' on google.