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So I had some extensive test results done. I will post them here and anyone who understands these results, please let me know if any of these results can help me cure my acne. I took a photo via my phone
Your total cholesterol should be under 200 and your LDL should be under 100.
You have a problem with B12???... did they tell you that you have too much or not enough? I think the average is 180 to 800 or something like that.... a little bit more probably isn't anything to be concerned about. I wonder why it's in red.
Apo B means "Apolipoprotein B", and it measures the risk your heart is at in accordance with your LDL cholesterol. The two work simultaneously with each other, so the ratio of your LDL-C. and you Apo B. is crucially important: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2087335-overview .
There are multiple ways to lower your LDL and raise your HDL (good) cholesterol (which is actually fine at 81):
http://health.usnews.com/health-conditions/heart-health/lowering-ldl-cholesterol
And don't quote me on this, but I think your testosterone levels are too low... maybe 250-300 would be ideal?... or 500?...
Adiponectin has to do with insulin resistance I think: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19434763
Your Cortisol level is HIGH, you should be at 10 or even 20 or something: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003693.htm
The TSH is your thyroid.. you are HIGH, or hypothyroid: http://thyroid.about.com/od/gettestedanddiagnosed/a/normaltshlevel.htm
Didn't they give you a list of what numbers should be ideal and practical for your age and BMI (Body Mass Index)?
You need to get your thyroid under control. Hypothyroid can cause cholesterol problems, cortisol, teststrone levels etc.... Thyroid issues can also cause acne! I had the opposite hyperthyroid. Also, you b12 are high in which if not careful can cause nerve problems. I am hoping a doctor is going to take care of they thyroid?????
So I had some extensive test results done. I will post them here and anyone who understands these results, please let me know if any of these results can help me cure my acne. I took a photo via my phone
You need to get your thyroid under control. Hypothyroid can cause cholesterol problems, cortisol, teststrone levels etc.... Thyroid issues can also cause acne! I had the opposite hyperthyroid. Also, you b12 are high in which if not careful can cause nerve problems. I am hoping a doctor is going to take care of they thyroid?????
So I had some extensive test results done. I will post them here and anyone who understands these results, please let me know if any of these results can help me cure my acne. I took a photo via my phone
Im not too sure if my thyroids the reason for my cholestrol because I eat a diet high in animal fat. I eat a paleo diet with lots of animal fat, which could be raising my cholestrol.
Yes, I am going to try to fix this with my doctor. I see him in a month
I agree with oli girl, your thyroid is an issue. How long do you think it's ben going on? That's something I would work on asap.
Most of these tests are eyeballing your heart and putting you at a pretty high risk for heart issues.
I agree but I want to get my acne under control as well.
Maybe the high cortisol is why my acnes not good?
I agree with oli girl, your thyroid is an issue. How long do you think it's ben going on? That's something I would work on asap.
Most of these tests are eyeballing your heart and putting you at a pretty high risk for heart issues.
I agree but I want to get my acne under control as well.
Maybe the high cortisol is why my acnes not good?
There are so many causes for a person's acne that it may be difficult to tell where it's coming from. Your acne is not as important as your heart or thyroid, so please be cautious about treatment or diet changes. Treatment can make acne worse or better, or worse and THEN better... it all depends on how you treat your body. Most people I know have an underlining cause for their acne... mine was my gut and my family's was their high cholesterol and blood pressure as well.
You're actually not TOO bad since my family has similar numbers, but don't quote me on that since numbers change throughout the day.
Also, Cortisol, cholesterol, estrogen, and the heart work hand in hand with each other. What effects one will certainly effect the other. People in my family have that domino effect too.
Here's some info on your thyroid: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/230714-good-things-for-the-many-factors-that-lead-to-acne/page-2#entry2592507
Cortisol:
"Also, many hormones are involved in blood sugar regulation. Insulin sends blood sugar down and cortisol sends blood sugar up. And cortisol is a major culprit in metabolic syndrome. Part of the reason sleep, stress and physical activity are as big a players in the formation of diabetes and acne and related conditions."
"Cholesterol - Surprise! Hormones are made from Cholesterol, including those our bodies produce less of as we age. Don't make it worse by taking meds that inhibit your body's ability to make it. Pregnenolone is the major anti-aging steroid and precursor to the other steroid hormones such as progesterone and DHEA. Progesterone and DHEA are the precursors for more specialized steroid hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, estrogen and testosterone. To make pregnenolone, we need adequate amounts of LDL cholesterol plus other nutrients, including vitamin A, thyroid hormone and enzymes. Cholesterol is also spackle for damage to arteries caused by high blood pressure, high blood sugar, oxidative stress, free radicals, etc. Avoid those things."
Your estrogen could be dominating your testosterone WAY too much: " Cortisol, the stress hormone, blocks progesterone receptors. Too much cortisol causes imbalance such as estrogen dominance as production of other hormones decline. ---> http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/230714-good-things-for-the-many-factors-that-lead-to-acne/?p=2579438 ".
All three quoted above by Alternativista.
All acne is hormonal, so I'm pretty sure looking at your numbers that your acne is likely from the estrogen dominance. Accutane may not work long term in that case, so don't let your doctor give you a weird look when you bring it up along with your numbers. They're likely to tell you, the same way they have told all of us for 60 ears, that nothing we do causes our acne. He may also be tempted to give you something for it, or for your hormones, so I would use caution and make a visit after what he said so you can check out the statistics and decide for yourself.
Your high blood pressure may be from your cortisol too... or maybe it's vice versa. I wish I could tell you more, but only you know your body best and only you know the time phrase of your acne throughout your life. The best tip I can give you is to have lots of sleep in the dark, drink nothing but water (no pop, coffee, Gatorade, etc...) and bring your possible(?) stress levels down by playing some games or reading some books. That'll keep the blood pressure calm. Next, get your thyroid looked at. Your next doctor's visit should cover that FIRST. After that, get your cholesterol under control (Or you can start doing that now with diet and exercise.). Lastly, when all else is good to go, fix your hormones. This order may not be accurate since something could be effecting your hormones, but I would personally go in that order since hormones are the most difficult thing to treat and is often simply genetic. At least your numbers make sense since everything I listed above just so happens to effect the other. Protect your heart at all costs!!
I agree with oli girl, your thyroid is an issue. How long do you think it's ben going on? That's something I would work on asap.
Most of these tests are eyeballing your heart and putting you at a pretty high risk for heart issues.
I agree but I want to get my acne under control as well.
Maybe the high cortisol is why my acnes not good?
There are so many causes for a person's acne that it may be difficult to tell where it's coming from. Your acne is not as important as your heart or thyroid, so please be cautious about treatment or diet changes. Treatment can make acne worse or better, or worse and THEN better... it all depends on how you treat your body. Most people I know have an underlining cause for their acne... mine was my gut and my family's was their high cholesterol and blood pressure as well.
You're actually not TOO bad since my family has similar numbers, but don't quote me on that since numbers change throughout the day.
Also, Cortisol, cholesterol, estrogen, and the heart work hand in hand with each other. What effects one will certainly effect the other. People in my family have that domino effect too.
Here's some info on your thyroid: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/230714-good-things-for-the-many-factors-that-lead-to-acne/page-2#entry2592507
Cortisol:
"Also, many hormones are involved in blood sugar regulation. Insulin sends blood sugar down and cortisol sends blood sugar up. And cortisol is a major culprit in metabolic syndrome. Part of the reason sleep, stress and physical activity are as big a players in the formation of diabetes and acne and related conditions."
"Cholesterol - Surprise! Hormones are made from Cholesterol, including those our bodies produce less of as we age. Don't make it worse by taking meds that inhibit your body's ability to make it. Pregnenolone is the major anti-aging steroid and precursor to the other steroid hormones such as progesterone and DHEA. Progesterone and DHEA are the precursors for more specialized steroid hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, estrogen and testosterone. To make pregnenolone, we need adequate amounts of LDL cholesterol plus other nutrients, including vitamin A, thyroid hormone and enzymes. Cholesterol is also spackle for damage to arteries caused by high blood pressure, high blood sugar, oxidative stress, free radicals, etc. Avoid those things."
Your estrogen could be dominating your testosterone WAY too much: " Cortisol, the stress hormone, blocks progesterone receptors. Too much cortisol causes imbalance such as estrogen dominance as production of other hormones decline. ---> http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/230714-good-things-for-the-many-factors-that-lead-to-acne/?p=2579438 ".
All three quoted above by Alternativista.
All acne is hormonal, so I'm pretty sure looking at your numbers that your acne is likely from the estrogen dominance. Accutane may not work long term in that case, so don't let your doctor give you a weird look when you bring it up along with your numbers. They're likely to tell you, the same way they have told all of us for 60 ears, that nothing we do causes our acne. He may also be tempted to give you something for it, or for your hormones, so I would use caution and make a visit after what he said so you can check out the statistics and decide for yourself.
Your high blood pressure may be from your cortisol too... or maybe it's vice versa. I wish I could tell you more, but only you know your body best and only you know the time phrase of your acne throughout your life. The best tip I can give you is to have lots of sleep in the dark, drink nothing but water (no pop, coffee, Gatorade, etc...) and bring your possible(?) stress levels down by playing some games or reading some books. That'll keep the blood pressure calm. Next, get your thyroid looked at. Your next doctor's visit should cover that FIRST. After that, get your cholesterol under control (Or you can start doing that now with diet and exercise.). Lastly, when all else is good to go, fix your hormones. This order may not be accurate since something could be effecting your hormones, but I would personally go in that order since hormones are the most difficult thing to treat and is often simply genetic. At least your numbers make sense since everything I listed above just so happens to effect the other. Protect your heart at all costs!!
I do not understand how I could have an estrogen dominance? What causes too much estrogen? I don't consume anything that increases estrogen.
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/symptomsproblems/a/cholesterol.htm
http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-thyroid
Also, stop the thyroid madness is a good site also especially for natural treatments of thyroid, in those links you can find info on the hormonal issues with thyroid on men or women! That little gland controls the pituitary and hypothalamus gland and the pituitary controls every hormone in your body!
Acutally is probably part of it! I eat a low carb high protein diet as I have a autoimmune thyroid issue and type 1 autoimmune diabetes. my cholesterol is great when my thyroid and sugars are in check! You can read up on thyroid and cholesterol and hormone problems. You can search on this board and see a lot of people with thyroid disorders that have acne issues as well! If high cholesterol runs in the family that could contribute some also.
I do not understand how I could have an estrogen dominance? What causes too much estrogen? I don't consume anything that increases estrogen.
Diet, sleep, exercise, stress, etc...
Your not consuming more estrogen you are producing it. We all are. We all produce estrogen and testosterone, it's just women usually produce more estrogen and men more testosterone. Balancing your hormones, not getting rid of them, should be your goal. Acne is hormonal, and from what I can tell is slightly more from the estrogen's side, so by looking at your numbers I am assuming that you are likely producing more estrogen since your cortisol is high and your testosterone is low. And this is likely noticable in acne prone individuals.
However, please don't think of your acne so much as you should your heart or thyroid. Please talk to your doctor about your options next month, and do your best not to drop the acne bomb because they will likely tell you to take a pill or buy a face wash, which we both know may not work at this point.
Also, if your numbers came back 100 percent healthy, you can STILL have cystic and hormonal acne... such as myself. My FAQ'S page lists my test results but I will copy them for you bellow:
Physical from 08/06/2012:
Height: 5 ft. 5 in.
Weight: 120 lb.
BMI (Body Mass Index): 20 (18.5-24.9 = Normal).
Cholesterol: 169 (Less than 200 = Desirable).
HDL (Good Cholesterol): 83 (60+ is High, which is optimal and good).
Triglycerides: 42 (Less than 150 = Normal).
LDL: 78 (Less than 100 = Optimal and good).
Glucose: 83 (Average is 80-120, so this is good).
Liver and Kidney function: Normal.
I do not have anemia (blood count is normal).
-I was given a sheet of paper to compare myself with the average health female for my BMI.
-No further testing was recommended.
More Tests on 04/19/13:
- Had a stool test and blood test done. Required no fasting.
- RESULTS: Everything was negative for parasites in my stools, and my thyroid function is healthy and working.
More Tests on 05/08/12:
- Had a skin prick allergy test done (60 common foods/allergens).
- RESULTS: It concluded that I had no food allergies whatsoever... not even to the nightshade vegetables that I discovered last month were fairing up my eczema.
And I walked into all those offices with large amounts of back, chest and facial acne. Not only that, the blood tests were done before I changed my diet to what it is now. We are all effected differently from each other, so what may be aggravating your body may not be aggravating to mine. It's because of this that I urge people to take it easy on themselves and fix any underlining causes first BEFORE you go the extra mile with your acne. List all the available options you can handle and ask around for the best prices and treatment options both in your community, with your family friends, and safely off the internet. it sounds like a lot, but one thing (such as good sleep) can combat 4 or 5 of those numbers at once.
I do not understand how I could have an estrogen dominance? What causes too much estrogen? I don't consume anything that increases estrogen.
Diet, sleep, exercise, stress, etc...
Your not consuming more estrogen you are producing it. We all are. We all produce estrogen and testosterone, it's just women usually produce more estrogen and men more testosterone. Balancing your hormones, not getting rid of them, should be your goal. Acne is hormonal, and from what I can tell is slightly more from the estrogen's side, so by looking at your numbers I am assuming that you are likely producing more estrogen since your cortisol is high and your testosterone is low. And this is likely noticable in acne prone individuals.
However, please don't think of your acne so much as you should your heart or thyroid. Please talk to your doctor about your options next month, and do your best not to drop the acne bomb because they will likely tell you to take a pill or buy a face wash, which we both know may not work at this point.
Also, if your numbers came back 100 percent healthy, you can STILL have cystic and hormonal acne... such as myself. My FAQ'S page lists my test results but I will copy them for you bellow:
Physical from 08/06/2012:
Height: 5 ft. 5 in.
Weight: 120 lb.
BMI (Body Mass Index): 20 (18.5-24.9 = Normal).
Cholesterol: 169 (Less than 200 = Desirable).
HDL (Good Cholesterol): 83 (60+ is High, which is optimal and good).
Triglycerides: 42 (Less than 150 = Normal).
LDL: 78 (Less than 100 = Optimal and good).
Glucose: 83 (Average is 80-120, so this is good).
Liver and Kidney function: Normal.
I do not have anemia (blood count is normal).
-I was given a sheet of paper to compare myself with the average health female for my BMI.
-No further testing was recommended.
More Tests on 04/19/13:
- Had a stool test and blood test done. Required no fasting.
- RESULTS: Everything was negative for parasites in my stools, and my thyroid function is healthy and working.
More Tests on 05/08/12:
- Had a skin prick allergy test done (60 common foods/allergens).
- RESULTS: It concluded that I had no food allergies whatsoever... not even to the nightshade vegetables that I discovered last month were fairing up my eczema.
And I walked into all those offices with large amounts of back, chest and facial acne. Not only that, the blood tests were done before I changed my diet to what it is now. We are all effected differently from each other, so what may be aggravating your body may not be aggravating to mine. It's because of this that I urge people to take it easy on themselves and fix any underlining causes first BEFORE you go the extra mile with your acne. List all the available options you can handle and ask around for the best prices and treatment options both in your community, with your family friends, and safely off the internet. it sounds like a lot, but one thing (such as good sleep) can combat 4 or 5 of those numbers at once.
Interesting. I don't think that your health directly correlates with acne, atlhough I do believe it is some sort of imbalance. Not sure what unfortunately
So I had some extensive test results done. I will post them here and anyone who understands these results, please let me know if any of these results can help me cure my acne. I took a photo via my phone
You also requested a copy of your results right? Always get copies.
Total cholesterol isn't really important unless it's over 300. What's important is the ratios of HDL to LDL and triglycerides.
LDL particle size is what you really need to know, but they haven't developed a good test yet, therefore, they aren't concerned about it.
-APOB levels - this is associated with LDL and may be what keeps LDL circulating rather than binding to receptors. The longer it circulates the more likely it is to oxidize and form plaques in your arteries.
Also,Thyroid hormone (T3) stimulates LDL receptors (and promotes uptake of cholesterol), therefore lack of thyroid hormone results in decreased LDL receptors and decreased LDL (cholesterol) uptake. So this should make hypothyroidism a huge concern. (so why isn't it? Why is it so notoriously underdiagnosed? One more thing wrong with our healthcare system and their determination to focus on the wrong things and prescribe the wrong solutions. http://ahdc.vet.corn...hem/cholest.htm )
Another thing that stimulates LDL receptors is Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2). And prostaglandins are inhibited by NSAIDs, corticosteroids and various inflammatory responses. (The aspirin the elderly people are told to take as a preventative measure can actually increase LDL oxidation and thus plaque formation. My mother who has now had 3 strokes and has plaque in her carotid artery is told to take daily aspirin, plus as a migraine sufferer, she takes plenty of NSAIDs).
The allergy test isn't relevant if it only tested IgE antibody mediate allergic responses, which is what most allergy tests do. Those would be the antibodies that cause immediate responses such as the rashes, hives and anaphylactic shock that most people associate with allergy. Other antibodies cause the delayed responses responsible for acne, fatigue, asthma, headache and all kinds of mystery ailments people never get appropriate diagnosis and treatment for.
Total cholesterol isn't really important unless it's over 300. What's important is the ratios of HDL to LDL and triglycerides.
LDL particle size is what you really need to know, but they haven't developed a good test yet, therefore, they aren't concerned about it.
-APOB levels - this is associated with LDL and may be what keeps LDL circulating rather than binding to receptors. The longer it circulates the more likely it is to oxidize and form plaques in your arteries.
Also,Thyroid hormone (T3) stimulates LDL receptors (and promotes uptake of cholesterol), therefore lack of thyroid hormone results in decreased LDL receptors and decreased LDL (cholesterol) uptake. So this should make hypothyroidism a huge concern. (so why isn't it? Why is it so notoriously underdiagnosed? One more thing wrong with our healthcare system and their determination to focus on the wrong things and prescribe the wrong solutions. http://ahdc.vet.corn...hem/cholest.htm )
Another thing that stimulates LDL receptors is Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2). And prostaglandins are inhibited by NSAIDs, corticosteroids and various inflammatory responses. (The aspirin the elderly people are told to take as a preventative measure can actually increase LDL oxidation and thus plaque formation. My mother who has now had 3 strokes and has plaque in her carotid artery is told to take daily aspirin, plus as a migraine sufferer, she takes plenty of NSAIDs).
The allergy test isn't relevant if it only tested IgE antibody mediate allergic responses, which is what most allergy tests do. Those would be the antibodies that cause immediate responses such as the rashes, hives and anaphylactic shock that most people associate with allergy. Other antibodies cause the delayed responses responsible for acne, fatigue, asthma, headache and all kinds of mystery ailments people never get appropriate diagnosis and treatment for.
So basically, according to my tests, I am unhealthy? What do you think is causing my hyperthyroidism? Could stress purely cause these issues?
I can't say I'd be in a position to give you reliable advice in any way, but I had a look at your scores.
Your TNF-alpha definitely seems to be on the higher end of normal, which could explain inflammatory acne to some extent. TNF-alpha is a proinflammatory cytokine and it's very important in the inflammation process. Your level of systemic inflammation is most likely a bit high in that case. You could try to work on decreasing it. I'm not sure what the best way to do this would be, but e.g. sleeping well, trying not to stress, avoiding omega 6 fats and taking a bit of fish oil might help.
Your cortisol levels are also quite high, which could contribute to acne and inflammation. Are you stressing a lot? I'd recommend a daily meditation routine and making sure you sleep well. And just trying to relax and not worry too much (hard, I know!).
I'm surprised your testosterone is below normal levels! I don't really know what could cause it. Do you eat well and don't consume a high amount of soy? I think it might be a good idea to see an endocrinologist about it. This, along with the somewhat elevated cortisol, is the most noteworthy value you had regarding your overall health, in my opinion.
Also, I'm a bit surprised your TSH was elevated since T4 and T3 seemed fairly good (although the units are different than what I'm used to, but at least they're well within the reference rate). Are you recovering from some sort of an illness that could've slowed your metabolism, by chance? I can't really comment much about this since I'm not that good at this stuff. If you do see an endocrinologist, I'd bring this up and ask his opinion.
It seems like you're a low carber based on your cholesterol levels.
Oh, by the way. If you're doing very low-carb paleo, I'd be careful about stress since I believe being in ketosis for too long can be too much of a stressor for the body, and cause elevated cortisol and problems with thyroid. That's what happened with me, when I tried extreme low-carbing for a few months a few years ago. I had high TSH and T4 on the lower end of normal and I was extremely stressed and fatigued, but these all normalized after a few months when I started eating more carbohydrates and rested (I also had been working too hard and stress easily, which must have contributed). I don't know your background and what health issues you may have, so perhaps you're doing well with the low-carb diet and it's not causing issues. However, if you do notice a huge drop in your energy levels or feel like something weird is going on, then please remember that low-carbing might have something to do with it and test if increasing the amount of carbohydrates would help. If you're on a paleo diet, you could for example try to eat more potatoes and other starchy tubers, vegetables and fruit.
And though I said this before, I think it's important that you see a doctor/endocrinologist because of your testosterone levels.
I am doing extremely low carb paleo atm. Maybe this is the reason why my body is breaking down.. What carbs did you start consuming?
I don't really have any other health issues, or not that I know of. My metabolism is actually extremely fast, not slow at all.
I dont eat any soy products.
I will make an appointment with an endocringoloist a.s.a.p
I thought my acne was due to increased testosterone, but thast not the case. Maybe the high cortisol is causing it
I am doing extremely low carb paleo atm. Maybe this is the reason why my body is breaking down.. What carbs did you start consuming?
I don't really have any other health issues, or not that I know of. My metabolism is actually extremely fast, not slow at all.
I dont eat any soy products.
I will make an appointment with an endocringoloist a.s.a.p
I thought my acne was due to increased testosterone, but thast not the case. Maybe the high cortisol is causing it
You need carbs for thyroid function.
I am doing extremely low carb paleo atm. Maybe this is the reason why my body is breaking down.. What carbs did you start consuming?
I don't really have any other health issues, or not that I know of. My metabolism is actually extremely fast, not slow at all.
I dont eat any soy products.
I will make an appointment with an endocringoloist a.s.a.p
I thought my acne was due to increased testosterone, but thast not the case. Maybe the high cortisol is causing it
You need carbs for thyroid function.
ah.
I should say that I'm not well-read on low testosterone levels and how they might affect health, but it's definitely worth a doctor's visit since you're below the reference range. It might have something to do with your diet or stress and normalize on its own, but I'm not sure.
I was recommended Dr. Schwarzbein's diet when I started to increase my carbs after low-carbing. Basically I just ate any good sources of gluten-free carbohydrates that weren't high in fructose - potatoes, rice, buckwheat, onions and other vegetables etc. I had extreme symptoms though, there was no doubt that something was very wrong with my body at the time. I got shingles (mild thankfully) which was a sign of the immune system breaking down basically, and had no energy whatsoever for weeks after I finally got on holiday after my exams. I can't really tell how much of it was caused by low-carbing and how much was stress-related, but I'd never experienced anything like it before. I think both factors probably contributed to my thyroid and other health issues that caused the symptoms.
I've been making sure not to go too low carb since then, BUT in fairness, I think I've been even too lax and should've paid more attention to blood glucose spikes. I still get noninflamed acne (also occasional inflamed especially when stressed), and right now I suspect blood sugar spikes and high insulin may be the main factor for my remaining acne. Now I'm trying to make sure I have "balanced" meals, as Schwarzbein calls them, which include protein, carbohydrates and fats to balance each other out. I'm trying to get my carbohydrates from low GI sources (e.g. brown rice, buckwheat, lots of vegetables instead of white rice and potatoes) and avoid getting too many carbohydrates at once. It's too early to tell if it's helping, especially since I've still been having issues with stress which is a major factor in acne for me as well.
Also, I forgot to add. There are many people who are doing just fine with low-carb diets, it does work for some people. For some reason I can't deal with the stress of going low-carb, but that doesn't mean that it's inherently unsuitable for everyone. Especially if you make sure to get enough carbohydrates to keep you out of ketosis (around 50-60 grams per day), I think it can be a good functional diet on a long-term basis. I was probably getting around 20-30g carbs a day for months when I started having problems. I think I need to have at least 100-200 g of carbohydrates a day so that I don't get thyroid or stress issues.
the thing is, I think all grains break me out. So the only carbs I can get are from sweet potatoes (not sure if starch breaks me out), fruits and veggies. Do you avoid fruits?
Also, what other food items are part of your diet?
how severe was ur acne
I would say on an average day I consume about 40-60 carbs give or take
Potatoes aren't grains, but I understood they break you out, too? That's a bummer. You could perhaps try soaked and fermented buckwheat and soaked dark rice and try small amounts with meals, and see if you fare any better.
I don't avoid fruit and eat quite a lot of bananas, actually. I don't count any macronutrients anymore, but I'm now eating quite a lot of carbohydrates. Mostly my diet consists of eggs, vegetables, potatoes, rice, buckwheat, butter and olive oil, bananas and other fruit, avocados, some liver and meat. A bit of dairy besides butter, but I'm trying to avoid it. And coffee but I'm trying to quit. I used to be more or less clear, but since starting fairly intensive studying at my new school, I started to get inflamed acne again (back when I was clear, my diet was the same, except I ate a lot more dairy). I still have some inflamed acne, but since I started taking fish oil a few months ago it has gone down quite a bit and seems to be getting better. I actually don't have any active acne at the moment, although it's a first for a while, heh. When I do break out, they're usually mild surface pimples but I do get occasional cysts. I usually clear when I'm not stressing and get lots of sleep.
Oh, and when my boyfriend is over, I actually eat a lot more unhealthily, e.g. gluten-free pasta, home-made gluten-free pizzas, popcorn, chocolate etc, and my skin always tends to worsen and get oilier even though I stress a lot less. So diet must have at least some significance for my skin. I've also noticed that my skin might be oilier when I eat more fat, but I'm not sure about this yet.
It's good you consume at least 40-60g of carbohydrates. It might be enough for you, but I guess this does depend on the person and other lifestyle and health issues. If you seem to be having issues, then try adding carbs and see what happens.
Potatoes aren't grains, but I understood they break you out, too? That's a bummer. You could perhaps try soaked and fermented buckwheat and soaked dark rice and try small amounts with meals, and see if you fare any better.
I don't avoid fruit and eat quite a lot of bananas, actually. I don't count any macronutrients anymore, but I'm now eating quite a lot of carbohydrates. Mostly my diet consists of eggs, vegetables, potatoes, rice, buckwheat, butter and olive oil, bananas and other fruit, avocados, some liver and meat. A bit of dairy besides butter, but I'm trying to avoid it. And coffee but I'm trying to quit. I used to be more or less clear, but since starting fairly intensive studying at my new school, I started to get inflamed acne again (back when I was clear, my diet was the same, except I ate a lot more dairy). I still have some inflamed acne, but since I started taking fish oil a few months ago it has gone down quite a bit and seems to be getting better. I actually don't have any active acne at the moment, although it's a first for a while, heh. When I do break out, they're usually mild surface pimples but I do get occasional cysts. I usually clear when I'm not stressing and get lots of sleep.
Oh, and when my boyfriend is over, I actually eat a lot more unhealthily, e.g. gluten-free pasta, home-made gluten-free pizzas, popcorn, chocolate etc, and my skin always tends to worsen and get oilier even though I stress a lot less. So diet must have at least some significance for my skin. I've also noticed that my skin might be oilier when I eat more fat, but I'm not sure about this yet.
It's good you consume at least 40-60g of carbohydrates. It might be enough for you, but I guess this does depend on the person and other lifestyle and health issues. If you seem to be having issues, then try adding carbs and see what happens.
does it matter what time u sleep
?
austra, so im assuming butter gives u zero acne? do u consume copious amounts of it?
It does matter when and how much I sleep, definitely. I'm trying to get 9 hours a night and spend time outdoors during the day, but I'm quite bad at this and it might be why I've still had breakouts. I remember testing out databased's theory by spending my days outside for a month or two a few years back and sleeping in darkness, and it did seem to cool down inflammation really well. I can't adhere to spending most of my time outdoors, but I still try to make sure I'm in bright lights during the day and as dark as possible at night. I live in very northern Europe though, so this is a bit tricky now that the sun only sets for a few hours (or alternatively it's only light for a few hours in winter).
I don't think butter breaks me out out. I've had copious amounts of it in the past when my skin has been in good shape, and last autumn I tried replacing it with olive oil for a couple of months and noticed no change for the better. Now I still use it a lot, but I'm trying keep it moderate, because I think saturated fat might make my skin oilier, but I'm not sure about this.
Hope this helps you in some way.