It may be that something as simple as adding zinc to your life will give you that long-sought-after, blemish-free complexion. “A low-zinc diet may worsen or activate acne, especially the pustular reactions,” says Swedish dermatologist Gerd Michaelsson, M.D. “This is seen after 10 to 14 days in acne-prone patients” (Nutrition Reviews, February, 1981).
A tie-in between zinc and dietary fat was explored by a team of researchers at the University of Nebraska in a two-week study. They had 12 teenagers take zinc supplements and varying amounts of fat in order to study how zinc was used by the body. After analyzing their results, the researchers came to a very interesting conclusion: “It would appear that increasing the fat content of diets has an adverse effect on zinc utilization and on zinc nutritional status” (Federation Proceedings, March 1, 1982).

What is also interesting is that a zinc-rich enzyme is responsible for converting vitamin A into a form our bodies can use. Dr. Michaelsson theorizes that not only does zinc induce the release of vitamin. A, but it also seems to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Furthermore, he thinks that a widespread zinc deficiency contributes to acne. According to the National Academy of Sciences, it is very likely that such a deficiency exists. “A recent study measuring the zinc content . . . of self-chosen food of 20 free-living adults over a period of six days detected an average of only 8.6 milligrams per day, ranging from 6 to 12.4 milligrams. These findings emphasize the need for careful dietary planning if the RDA [Recommended Dietary Allowance] of 15 milligrams per day is to be met” (Recommended Dietary Allowances, National Academy of Sciences, 1980).

Tags: acne, adding zinc to your life, low-zinc diet, the pustular reactions

Posted on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 at 8:02 am filed under Beauty, Health.