247 replies to this topic

[drexel6337]

I have been a long acne veteran.
I hardly post anymore because I am pretty much clear and I don't worry about it anymore.

With hardwork in research and experimentation, after four years, I went from having 60 cysts on my face
to almost none.

If you are curious to know how much I've been through.
go to here:
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...topic=87851&hl=

However, I would always have to maintain such a strict regimen with topical and oral medications, as well as a diet. It got stressful and irritating sometimes when I wanted to indulge but couldn't knowing that it would break me out.

Recently, things changed.

A few weeks ago, I went to Vitamin Shoppe and I bought Broccoli Pills . I bought it with the intention of using it as a substitute for vegetables when I forgot to prepare my vegetables. Being a working student and all, preparing food isn't always convenient, so therefore, I wanted to take the pills so at least I would be getting the nutrients.

Anywayz, that same week was one of my most stressful weeks with exams and papers, it was also one of the weeks were I indulged HEAVILY. I eat really unhealthy, oily food almost entirely that week. Pizza, chinese food. candy, chocolates, incream. everything. Having been a veteran, I knew my face would break out.

I got really lazy that I didn't take my supplements (Vitamin C, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Flax seed oil) in my cabinet. I stopped going to the gym. With heavy indulging and no supplements, I knew my face was committing suicide.

Despite my chronic laziness and indulging, I still managed to take my damn Broccoli Pills simply because they were on my dining table already.

Amazingly. I've had no breakouts. Nothing. Ever since I started taking Broccoli Pills I've had no break outs.

This week, I tried out my experiment again. Same results. No breakouts.

Does anybody have any opinions on this?

I was thinking that broccoli would be high in Vitamin A, but the nutrition facts don't say that there is Vitamin A. Instead. it is just 500mg of broccoli. I know that it is the Broccoli pills because this is the ONLY supplement I am taking.

here is the product I am taking:

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/brow....jsp?id=VS-1514

Any opinions thoughts? i

I have been a long acne veteran.
I hardly post anymore because I am pretty much clear and I don't worry about it anymore.

With hardwork in research and experimentation, after four years, I went from having 60 cysts on my face
to almost none.

If you are curious to know how much I've been through.
go to here:
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...topic=87851&hl=

However, I would always have to maintain such a strict regimen with topical and oral medications, as well as a diet. It got stressful and irritating sometimes when I wanted to indulge but couldn't knowing that it would break me out.

Recently, things changed.

A few weeks ago, I went to Vitamin Shoppe and I bought Broccoli Pills . I bought it with the intention of using it as a substitute for vegetables when I forgot to prepare my vegetables. Being a working student and all, preparing food isn't always convenient, so therefore, I wanted to take the pills so at least I would be getting the nutrients.

Anywayz, that same week was one of my most stressful weeks with exams and papers, it was also one of the weeks were I indulged HEAVILY. I eat really unhealthy, oily food almost entirely that week. Pizza, chinese food. candy, chocolates, incream. everything. Having been a veteran, I knew my face would break out.

I got really lazy that I didn't take my supplements (Vitamin C, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Flax seed oil) in my cabinet. I stopped going to the gym. With heavy indulging and no supplements, I knew my face was committing suicide.

Despite my chronic laziness and indulging, I still managed to take my damn Broccoli Pills simply because they were on my dining table already.

Amazingly. I've had no breakouts. Nothing. Ever since I started taking Broccoli Pills I've had no break outs.

This week, I tried out my experiment again. Same results. No breakouts.

Does anybody have any opinions on this?

I was thinking that broccoli would be high in Vitamin A, but the nutrition facts don't say that there is Vitamin A. Instead. it is just 500mg of broccoli. I know that it is the Broccoli pills because this is the ONLY supplement I am taking.

here is the product I am taking:

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/brow....jsp?id=VS-1514

Any opinions thoughts? i

[drexel6337]

I THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am constantly doing research for my 18 year daughter and her chronic acne. She has PCOS and she has already lowered her testosterone and yet there is still acne.

Well, she happens to also have a small thyroid nodule, so I started doing research on hyperthyroidism. Even though she is not considered hyperthyroid, that darn nodule produces hormone. (Nodules are very common)

My research led me to get her off iodine in her diet as that can cause acne. Acne ca be a symptom of hypwethyroidism. It turns out that people who have HYPOthyroidism (opposit) are told to stay away from cruciferous vegetables because it absorbs the iodine that they need.

I googles "cruciferous vegetables acne" to see if anyone had any experiences with these vegetables helping acne and it led me to this post. I am soooooooooo excited to see that there may be a connection. I will be getting these brocolli pills (I have also seen combined cruciferous veggie pills) ASAP.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. If this theory is true than you may have a slight tilt toward the hyper side of the TSH thyroid hormone in your body. Quite frankly, that is the better end to have especially if it is still within the normal range. I will let you know hopw it goes for her.

[SweetJade1980]

I THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am constantly doing research for my 18 year daughter and her chronic acne. She has PCOS and she has already lowered her testosterone and yet there is still acne.

Well, she happens to also have a small thyroid nodule, so I started doing research on hyperthyroidism. Even though she is not considered hyperthyroid, that darn nodule produces hormone. (Nodules are very common)

My research led me to get her off iodine in her diet as that can cause acne. Acne ca be a symptom of hypwethyroidism. It turns out that people who have HYPOthyroidism (opposit) are told to stay away from cruciferous vegetables because it absorbs the iodine that they need.

I googles "cruciferous vegetables acne" to see if anyone had any experiences with these vegetables helping acne and it led me to this post. I am soooooooooo excited to see that there may be a connection. I will be getting these brocolli pills (I have also seen combined cruciferous veggie pills) ASAP.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. If this theory is true than you may have a slight tilt toward the hyper side of the TSH thyroid hormone in your body. Quite frankly, that is the better end to have especially if it is still within the normal range. I will let you know hopw it goes for her.

Cruciferous vegetables are good thing overall for people for many many reasons. The Brassica family of vegetables (incl. cruciferous) are the one's that are goitrogens, but for those that are Euthyroid or Hyperthyroid....there should be no problem. So definately, try the Broccoli pills, encourage your daugther to eat more of these types of vegetables, and hopefully that this really helps her out!

One note though, cooking these vegetables and especially fermenting them takes away their goitrogenic ability. So to be on the safe side, for those of us that don't have thyroid problems, we should try to eat these vegetables prepared in a variety of ways (raw, steamed, cooked, fermented), especially if anyone will be eating a lot of them. http://www.ithyroid.com/goitrogens.htm

number of commonly eaten foods have been shown to interfere with the use of iodine by the thyroid, thus reducing production of thyroid hormone and causing goiter. These foods, known as goitrogens, include vegetables in the Brassica family such as broccoli, cabbage, kale and mustard,17 millet,18 soybeans,19 pine nuts20 and some seed meals used in animal feeds.21 22 These foods can be safely eaten in moderate amounts by people who consume adequate iodine.23 A combination of low iodine intake and high intake of goitrogenic foods increases the likelihood of goiter.24 25

Nutrient deficiencies, including zinc,26 manganese27 and vitamin A,28 29 and severe protein malnutrition30 also contribute to an inability to use iodine well and to the development of goiter.31 32 In the presence of adequate iodine supplies, it is less common for such factors to cause goiter;33 34 however, when iodine intake becomes deficient, even mild malnutrition can have such a negative impact on thyroid function.35 36 High levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and certain bacteria in drinking water, have also been shown to be goitrogenic.37 38 Therefore, proper nutrition and a healthy water supply are crucial in the prevention and treatment of goiter. http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Goiter.htm

**I have known a few members that became hypothyroid and broke out with acne, but it was predominately after they started consuming a vegetarian/vegan diet of soy (unfermented).**

Best wishes!

P.S. You were right. The same biochemicals that make these foods wonderful in controlling hormones, inflammation, certain cancer, liver detoxification, etc...are also what may negatively impact somone that is hypothryoid. This seems to be what happens even for people that follow low carb/grain/sugar diets. You can eat/avoid the same foods and treat different and even opposing ailments at the same time! It all depends on one's age, gender, and health/hormonal problem as to how that particular food and its phytonutrients or phytochemicals will impact you.

Soybean-related foods
Included in the category of soybean-related foods are soybeans themselves as well as soy extracts, and foods made from soy, including tofu and tempeh. While soy foods share many common ingredients, it is the isoflavones in soy that have been associated with decreased thyroid hormone output. Isoflavones are naturally-occurring substances that belong to the flavonoid family of nutrients. Flavonoids, found in virtually all plants, are pigments that give plants their amazing array of colors. Most research studies in the health sciences have focused on the beneficial properties of flavonoids, and these naturally-occurring phytonutrients have repeatedly been shown to be highly health-supportive.

The link between isoflavones and decreased thyroid function is, in fact, one of the few areas in which flavonoid intake has called into question as problematic. Isoflavones like genistein appear to reduce thyroid hormone output by blocking activity of an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase. This enzyme is responsible for adding iodine onto the thyroid hormones. (Thyroid hormones must typically have three or four iodine atoms added on to their structure in order to function properly.)

Cruciferous vegetables
A second category of foods associated with disrupted thyroid hormone production is the cruciferous food family. Foods belonging to this family are called “crucifers,� and include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mustard, rutabagas, kohlrabi, and turnips. Isothiocyanates are the category of substances in crucifers that have been associated with decreased thyroid function. Like the isoflavones, isothiocyanates appear to reduce thyroid function by blocking thyroid peroxidase, and also by disrupting messages that are sent across the membranes of thyroid cells. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=47

[gymrat7676]

sweetjade- i'm a little confused. So no matter what the thyroid problem, we should eat those veggies?
I don't think that I have a thyroid issue but am curious about the broccoli pills.
thanks

[SweetJade1980]

sweetjade- i'm a little confused. So no matter what the thyroid problem, we should eat those veggies?
I don't think that I have a thyroid issue but am curious about the broccoli pills.
thanks

Sorry. If you are Euthyroid (produce normal amounts) or Hyperthyroid (produce excess amounts) then we can eat these veggies just fine. The thing is that, some people may be prone to Hypothyroidism, or may have undiagnosed Hypothyroidism and some or all of these on a daily basis may aggrevate their condition (if not cooked or fermented), and appears to be further supported by members of hypothyroid boards.

Again, just as with other dietary elements, everyone has a different sensitivity level. Unfortunately there have been acne sufferers of this board that have said that hypothyroidism doesn't run in the family and once they started consuming possibly excessive amounts of soy, they became hypothyroid. Soy has positive benefits and also negative benefits, depending on your gender, but from what I've read soy's negatives relate more so to it being consumed unfermented and excessively.

Initially I thought there probably wasn't a concern because these were brocolli tablets and not the whole food, but the concentrated active ingredients in these tablets is predominately sulfurophane, an isothiocyanate, among other isothiocyanates, and as such...please be aware of any possible overdose issues.

I doubt it's of concern, especially if you do not have thyroid problems, and you consume foods that contain iodine, but if anyone develops symptoms that appear to be related to hypothyroidism (see below) then they may want to reduce their dose.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido
http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html

*** These can be signs or symptoms related to a multitude of health/hormonal problems so please be aware of those that began after taking these tablets***

The effect of cooking on goitrogens
Although research studies are limited in this area, cooking does appear to help inactivate the goitrogenic compounds found in food. Both isoflavones (found in soy foods) and isothiocyanates (found in cruciferous vegetables) appear to be heat-sensitive, and cooking appears to lower the availability of these substances. In the case of isothiocyanates in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, as much as one third of this goitrogenic substance may be deactivated when broccoli is boiled in water.

Practical tips
Although for many people goitrogens do not seem to pose a health concern, certain individuals who have thyroid problems may be advised by their healthcare practitioner to limit excessive consumption of foods that contain these compounds. As cooking seems to help to inactivate the goitrogenic compounds found in food, it seems reasonable to conclude that for individuals with deficient thyroid hormone production, steaming of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli makes good sense, as does consumption of tofu in cooked versus raw form. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=47

Hope that was a bit more clear

[Asher2]

According to the LEF site lycopene can also reduce IGF-1, maybe you could try this if you are afraid of getting too much vit A.

[drexel6337]

OK. I told everone that I would get my daughter to try the broccoli pills and let you know what happens. Please know that her acne is TERRIBLE and has been for years. It gets better sometimes with antibiotics and then it always gets bad again. She has tried EVERY yreatment out there except accutane. Even lowering her testosterone has done nothing.

WELL SHE HAS BEEN ON THE BROCCOLI PILLS FOR 4 DAYS AND I AM AMAZED THAT HER ACNE IS CLEARING!!!!!!!!!!!!! THERE ARE NO NEW ERUPTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She still has loads of scars that will take a while to fade but I am shocked that this could be curing her.

I need to emphasize that she definetly has a hormone producing thyroid nodule. Her thyroid TSH level is on the high end of normal with this nodule, but still normal enough that the doctors are not concerned that it is doing any harm. They never connected the acne!!!!!!!! (She will be getting it removed, via ethynol injection this summer- a very mild proceedure done a lot in Europe to disolve a nodule). It should also be known that thyroid nodules are very common, and most people don't even know they have it and they are usually benign and not a health threat. We happen to know she has a nodule because of all the PCOS testing.

She has also been trying to cut out all forms of high iodine food like sea salt and iodized salt as well as fish in the past 4 days as well.

The pill brand she takes is called "Broccolive plus", from a manufacturer called New Chapter. It is from the sprouted seeds of several cruciferous vegetables, but mostly from broccoli. The live sprouted seeds are supposed to be the highest potency of the compounds. For these 4 days she has been taking very high doses. Each pill totals 450 mg, and she has been taking 6 a day!!!!!!!!! I am a little nervous about this high amount because I have read that high doses of sulforaphane (the active ingredient) can be toxic. The recomended dose is 1 pill, and I don't know what is considered a high dose, but I suppose she will cut back soon once she knows the acne is under control untill she finds a theapeutic dose that is lower.

Does anyone have any information on the toxicity of sulforaphane, and what kinds of problems can result in overdose?

We are just so excited by these quick results that she hates to stop what seems like such a good thing.

I'll let you all know if the good luck continues. Has anyone else had results? I'm curious if it is in fact the iodine blocking qualities or something else entirely.

[Asher2]

Broccoli is high in Sulforaphane:

"Sulforaphane, an active compound found in Brassica family vegetables and highly concentrated in broccoli sprouts, has already been shown to boost liver and skin cells' detoxifying abilities. Now, research conducted at John's Hopkins University and published in the November 2005 issue of Cancer Letters indicates sulforaphane can help repair sun-damaged skin."

Broccoli spouts would be a better source of sulforaphane than regular broccoli:
"a tablespoon of broccoli sprouts contains as much sulforaphane as is found in a whole pound of adult broccoli"

"Broccoli sprouts concentrate phytochemicals found in mature broccoli—a lot. Researchers estimate that broccoli sprouts contain 10-100 times the power of mature broccoli to boost enzymes that detoxify potential carcinogens"

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=f...#healthbenefits

The Broccolive Plus is made primarily with freeze dried broccoli sprouts. I think I read somewhere that 6 capsules equal one ounce of broccoli sprouts.

Im going to try the sprouts first.

[AstheRushComes]

This got me really interested. I bought "Broccoli Cruciferous Extract 500 mg" from WholeFoods yesterday. Its from the brand SOLGAR. I have also ordered the one that the link provided here.

Anyways has anyone else been doing it and have u gotten results??!!! How much times a day should I take them

[landshark]

when it says to take 2 tablets daily, does it mean i should take them both after breakfast or one after breakfast and one after dinner? thanks.

[pmezak]

Anyone having success with this regimen? I bought a small bottle of the broccolive
for my son. Just wondering? thanks...

[drexel6337]

OK, I told everyone I would give an update to my daughters sucess or failure with the broccolive pills to cure her cystic acne.

The results are............

It's working! But it is not just the broccolive pills. We are convinced that it is the iodine that was causing her acne, because she has cut back tremendously on iodine in her diet. When she added iodine back, while still taking the broccolive pills, the acne came back a little (not nearly as bad though). She quickly cut out iodine and it is clear again. The broccolive pills help with the excess (she takes about 5 a day).

Ironically, she is eating less healthy food (no fish, sea vegetables, food from the Whole Foods Store that use sea salt instead of "Mortons"). She bought a carton of Mortons, no iodine salt and has to be careful at restaurants as they probobly use iodized salt. The cheaper snacks usually don't add it.

It is worth repeating that she definitely has a hormone producing nodule on her thyroid. Even though the doctors say her hormone levels are within the normal range, and never connected this nodule to the acne, she has proven that it is.

It is also worth repeating that many people have nodules on their thyroid that go unnoticed and are very benign. Plus, the thyroid is a very tempemental gland and many more people have HYPOthyroidism that goes undiagnosed because doctors generally like to try to cure things after they are completely broken. Some people have acne due to hypothyroidism and it is very confusing how mixed up the symptoms can become between these two polar conditions.

In conclusion, for my daughter it is pretty clear cut, but certainly the thyroid is not connected to everybodys acne. High Testosterone can be one of many other culprits.

PS- She will be getting her nodule removed this summer, so she will then have to start ADDING iodine back to her diet, and eating a normal amount of broccoli, but that is actually the healthier diet.

PSS- I just have to add that my daughter was so desparate to cure her acne that she started saying her grandmothers novena to St Thesese of the Little Flower, praying for a miracle. Next thing I knew she was going to church everyday, and saying the rosary and she believes this broccoli/iodine discovery is a miracle! SO........... whatever your religion, be careful what you pray for ............... it works!!!!!

[AstheRushComes]

hmm I tried this but not much of a difference.

Although I am doing the Jess foliation. I really have no pimples just some red scars.

But this has GELATINE in it which is supposed to be bad so I dont know

[*Rebecca*]

Broccoli is high in Chlorophyll .. and i have heard that chlorophyll is rgeta for our bodies because of antioxidants and its ability to detoxify.. Plus it helps with acne and living a healthier lifetstyle. I actualyl drink liquid Chlorophyll .. you mix about 2 tablespoons in some water and the water does turn a dark green but mine is mint flavored so .. all you taste is mint .. not to mention if you take it enough ti gets rid of all body odor .. i havent noticed this bc i dont drink it everyday bc it does have Copper in it so your suppsoe to take Zinc but i dont have any at the moment. Not to mention .. a little gross but if you do have a problem with constipation this works well bc of its detoxifying properties it cleans our your system.

[AstheRushComes]

hmm I dont know

[landshark]

this is my 2nd week on the pills and i'd say it's working. i used to take only 1 pill a day for the first few days but still developed acne, and then upped my dosage to 2 pills a day (1 after breakfast, 1 after dinner), and now i have no new acne forming. everyone should give this a try!

[Danny©]

whatever the explaination is,
regardless of the academic essays,
of all the debate and scientific jargon,
the thing to do is the just try the broccoli pills.
and see whether it works for YOU.

JUST GIVE IT A TRY.

If you read my last post where I tries to explain how diet correlates to the proximate causes of acne development you will see that the nutritional content of broccoli may have overall an effect of those causes
Broccoli are rich of vitamin A, certain vitamins B, magnesium and calcium
These nutrients alone would have an effect on electrolytes balance that would halt the outgrow of bacteria and on the skin barrier.
More interesting are the flavoinoids broccoli are rich of. These substances are known to improve glucose metabolism and hence decreasing your IGF-1 levels which causes an excess of oil production and the blocakage of your pores by inhibiting the enzyme which prevent the aggregation of skin cells within the pores but also bioflavonoids reduce the amount of androgen which are related to sebum production again because of insulin in IGF-1. It's a good start even thought those pills are not addressing the inflamatory process of the skin which is another causative stage in acne and which is correlated to unbalanced intake of EFA n-3 and n-6. Fish oil in pills may address this factors and improving on the broccoli effect

Danny