25 replies to this topic

[radikal]

Update: I've stopped the B5 in December (I continue with the ALCAR). On balance, my hair is more valuable than a non-greasy face. I've had two episodes of hair loss in my life: 10 years ago when I first took B5 and three months ago when I took B5. I'm nearing 40 so you could chalk it up to age, but I know better. Anytime I take B5 I can see the hair receding from one week to the next. Life = Bullshit.

[Enimrac]

Hey

I'm one of those people who have tried "curing" acne with diet and vitamin supplements. Believe me, I've done it all, and that period in my life was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. My conclusion is it's total bullshit. I don't think there is any effect whatsoever on acne. People who insist on this, I think, are delusional, as I was at one point.

Imo, acne is genetic, and it just depends on the kind of skin you have, period. No diet is gonna change that. It's really sad when people do these things, especially since it takes up so much of your time and energy, and it becomes a total obsession.

Anyone thinking of going down this route, please reconsider. It makes no sense, it's a waste of time, and there are more rational options available that might actually help. Diet and vitamins wont.

I should post on the nutrition boards, because I consider myself pretty experienced in this department.

Edited by Enimrac, 26 February 2012 - 06:37 PM.

[YMED]

Do B5 and ALCAR come together in a single supplement?

[tofupalace]

Radikal, I've been keeping up with your posts here over the years because I too have ludicrous-level oily skin and have seemingly tried everything to break the cycle. Congrats on your success, assuming your progress has held up.

From your perspective five months on since your original post, would you say the dietary changes, B5, and ALCAR are all equally important? Do you think a fat-restricting diet alone would give results?

[radikal]

@Enimrac: You are mostly, but not entirely, right. B5 taken in bullshit quantities (~10g/day) does have a modest effect in reducing oily skin. I wasn't battling acne this last round so I won't extend my assesment to that. Unfortunately, for me at least, it brings along rapid hair loss, and I'm only as good as the last dose, there's no long term effect.

@tofuplace: wrt oily skin, no. B5 makes the difference, the others prepare the ground. I no longer take B5 (would rather be oily and keep my hair) but I continue to watch my diet and take ALCAR, for however long the bottle will last anyway. Restricting fat is a healthy thing to do, but it will not fix our issue in any meaningful way.

[TheMedic]

radikal, on 14 October 2011 - 12:00 PM, said:

Guys, those who followed my posts in the past may have noticed I'm rather methodical and don't get excited easily.

BUT RIGHT NOW I FEEL LIKE JUMPING AROUND WITH JOY.

And the answer is...wait...it's been known for years; B5 plus Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR). Megadosing B5 at 7-10g/day and ALCAR at 1.5-2g/day. This while on a Nazi diet straight out of the juicer. I drink the juice (mostly veggies) and later on I eat the fibre (I throw it in the blender and make smoothies). Little animal protein beside a couple of eggs every day. Very little grains, NO refined sugar, NO dairy, nothing that would spike insulin. Little saturated and vegetal fat. The majority of food intake is raw (even if mechanically processed in juicer/blender).
I've been doing this for 45 days now. The comedy of this diet is that I'VE GAINED A BIT OF MUCH NEEDED WEIGHT.

And TODAY, like one hour ago (8pm), I went like, I don't feel oily...and its evening, not noon...and my lips are dry, much like they used to be on Accutane; I have very little oil to blot, this is really happening!

I've had (very) oily skin for 20 years now, and the only reprieves I got were while on Accutane (admittedly for some years).
The fact that I can control oil output with diet and vitamins, and feel healthier while doing it....is like...I'm at a loss of words. I feel like a pagan god, fuck you acne, fuck you oily skin, I am free now.

Most of you will lack the discipline to stay on this diet. It is a lifestyle choice.
I will scale back the B5 in a few weeks, and see how little I can get away with. The fact that it took 45 fucking days for my body to respond to this hardcore diet and B5+ALCAR megadose is telling of how fucked up my fat metabolism was/is. I am positive the megadose wouldn't have made the difference by itself.

I have nothing further to add and will not be maintaining this thread. All the answers are in the Nutrition forums.

Yes I've played this diet game before...careful.