Gluten today is one of the most actual things that people talk and are aware off, even though a couple of years ago people might not have heard or known about gluten at all. Gluten is one of the nutritional compounds which is today blamed for many health issues. Gluten-free products are becoming every day even more available from the food industry. Are gluten-free products really healthier than those which contain this compound? Can acne be solved if gluten is eliminated from the diet?
Can Gluten Cause Acne?
Normally what we eat plays an important role in our overall health. The healthier we eat, the healthier our bodies will be as well. What about acne? Can gluten cause acne or make them worse?
If you don’t have gluten intolerance, then there is a very little chance that your acne problem is related to gluten, nor caused by it. However, if you do suffer from celiac disease, then there is a great possibility that your acne is getting worse due to gluten. One common symptom of gluten intolerance is skin inflammation, which normally can make your acne get worse.
How Do I Know If My Acne Is the Result of Gluten?
First of all, it is important to determine if you have gluten intolerance or not. If you do not have gluten intolerance then no internal issues will lead to acne. However, if you are having a real problem and struggling with acne, and if you have not tested for gluten intolerance, then maybe it’s the right time to do so. Perhaps, gluten intolerance is the one behind your problem and leading to acne outbreaks.
Acne is believed to be caused from chronic inflammation and blood sugar problems which trigger hormonal reactions that lead to an acne outbreak due to an increased production of the sebum, overgrowth of bacteria which lead to acne and clogged skin pores. The inflammation itself, releases histamine, increasing the inflammation even more, as well as, the insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is related to higher sugar levels in the blood which is known to be a great contributor to acne outbreaks.
As many food types contain gluten, paying a close attention to what you buy and what you eat is very important when trying to solve your acne problem and prevent acne outbreaks in the future.
How Do I Know If I Am Gluten Sensitive?
If you want to know if you have gluten intolerance, you should consult with your healthcare provider. The best way to diagnose gluten sensitivity is to get tested for gluten antibodies.
Certain people have a higher risk for gluten intolerance than others. Risk factors include:
- Having a first-degree relative suffering from celiac disease
- Being Caucasian or being from North Europe
- Having digestive problems after eating foods that contain gluten
The elimination diet is another option how to test your sensitivity to gluten. You can just start cutting off certain food types which contain gluten for a couple of weeks and look for any changes with your skin. Usually, within the first 3 to 4 weeks, improvements are noticed. However, in certain cases, people have referred improvement of their acne after 2 months of eliminating gluten - rich foods from their diet.
Do You Have to Go 100% Gluten-Free?
So you found out that you have gluten intolerance? Do you have to go 100% gluten- free? This is all individual and varies from one person to the other. While some can tolerate certain wheat products every now and then, others need to completely eliminate gluten from their diet. So, it is all up to you to find the balance between what you eat and the health of your skin.
Start with the elimination diet for a couple of weeks. If you notice improvement, you can start by adding back to your diet small amounts of gluten. Look how your skin and your acne react to this diet change.
What Can You Do About Your Diet and Skin?
If you are diagnosed with gluten intolerance, here are a few tips that can help you:
- Make a list of all gluten-free foods. Anytime you need to order food you can just quickly decide what to have.
- Avoid foods which contain fructose, sugar, or starch as they can contain hidden gluten.
- Avoid soy sauce and make sure to cook the food in olive oil or coconut oil.
- Drink plenty of water a day and keep your body good hydrated. If your body is good hydrated then you can easily avoid any food cravings.
- Try to eliminate stress and anxiety as much as possible as they have an impact on your hormonal imbalance. Get a good night sleep so your body will have enough time to recover and regain the strength and energy for another day.
- Try to include certain types of food such as yogurt, kefir, probiotic drinks, pickles, etc., to your diet as they will help maintain and increase the normal population of gut flora.
Regardless, if you have a gluten sensitivity or not, eating healthy, is very important for your overall health. Fruits and vegetables should be part of your daily diet as they are rich in anti-oxidants. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which will promote body health. Regular physical exercise, sleep, and sunlight are also very important for your overall health, including the health of your skin.