I take HCL too but for digestion, which works.. def worth a try if you think your acne is digestion related. I'm gonna try glutamine too later, also an IGg test might be good for this but super expensive (haven't tried, but I want to!).

Great! I have tried those tests though not very accurate for me tbh. I don't think we really need those tests as our bodies do most of the talking after we eat 2 to 6 hours later. I have had amazing results with bone soup. Just get Chicken bones. simmer them in boiling water for around 2/3 hours. It coats your whole digestive system with minerals and I have found that even with foods I have an allergy to have little effect on the body. Bone soup is an amazing healer. just 1 cup every couple days is enough

Great! I have tried those tests though not very accurate for me tbh. I don't think we really need those tests as our bodies do most of the talking after we eat 2 to 6 hours later. I have had amazing results with bone soup. Just get Chicken bones. simmer them in boiling water for around 2/3 hours. It coats your whole digestive system with minerals and I have found that even with foods I have an allergy to have little effect on the body. Bone soup is an amazing healer. just 1 cup every couple days is enough

I tried broth for awhile but now that I'm at Uni I can't really make any my roommates think I'm odd as it is :$ although I did buy grass-fed organic gelatin which is suppose to be good, it is the thick stuff on top of the broth when it cools... it is tasteless but works great for digestion (called great lakes gelatin).

I'll do broths when I am at home... I don't really have acne anymore just like one whitehead but I would still like to get rid off that one whitehead it has been there for awhile now plus I have some digestion problems that aren't fully resolve yet, although better!

Hey guys, I moved this conversation to the holistic forum.

Thanks DeLovely. Yes il90 I understand lol. I was at uni a couple years ago. don't take it to seriously. for your whilte heads I would take vitamin E with mixed tocopherols in the ingredients or tocotrinols (super vitamin E) if you are willing to spend more. brings down inflammation quickly

Most store bought porbiotics actually come with dairy and soy in them. Those are both triggers for me.

About the IG testing, there are 3 different types, as I understand. One for Food sensitivities, Food Allergies, and Food intolerances. A prick test for sensitivities did it for me. However, a blood test with allergies came back with no results. Here is what I suggest in order of most likely to occur:

Sensitivity

Intolerance

Allergy

But just do your own research if you wish to take these tests. Also, leaky gut, and digestive health are things you can test for.

Most store bought porbiotics actually come with dairy and soy in them. Those are both triggers for me.

About the IG testing, there are 3 different types, as I understand. One for Food sensitivities, Food Allergies, and Food intolerances. A prick test for sensitivities did it for me. However, a blood test with allergies came back with no results. Here is what I suggest in order of most likely to occur:

Sensitivity

Intolerance

Allergy

But just do your own research if you wish to take these tests. Also, leaky gut, and digestive health are things you can test for.

You shouldn't buy probiotics... You should make your own yogurt with starter culture. Lets say a probiotic has like 30 billion strains... Homemade yogurt will have probably more than 3000 in just a cup. This is when I started noticing a difference. I do it with coconut milk instead of dairy and the maker cost about 15 pounds... Make sure you ferment it for more than 20 hours though

I know you're working on leaky gut, and good bacteria is good for it. Fermented vegetables (try drinking apple cider vinegar with mother), and broth also good. Learn to make coconut kefir, I'm gonna try that too later!

I'm honestly doing it for my stomach problems mostly, but I know they're connected.

Did you find any success in trying to get vitamin A or the B vitamins solely through your diet? Or was taking supplements the only way to get results? Do you know what equivalent of the recommended daily % you were taking with the supplements?

Did you find any success in trying to get vitamin A or the B vitamins solely through your diet? Or was taking supplements the only way to get results? Do you know what equivalent of the recommended daily % you were taking with the supplements?

No it is completely pointless to try and get you vitamins through food. The amount of vitamins and minerals available are miniscule. Food is so processed nowdays and sprayed with chemicals especially supermaket food. (including veg and fruit).

Yes. for vitmamin A, between 20,000iu and 50,000iu daily. for B vitamins: B5, 2000mg daily try and get it with the B complex as it works better. It all depends on what type of acne you have

Yes, Arul, but say if we were to eat organic produce. Or locally grown foods. Then it would be packed with nutrients. I eat carrots every day which are loaded with vitamin A and I notice a huge difference in my skin. Plus, they say if you eat too much of them, your skin will turn orange due to the carotene. I'm going to do some extra research, but I've read it's actually safer to get vitamins from foods rather than capsuls. I also saw someone trying to mimic a lighter version of an accutane treatment by eating tons of vitamin A. I wish I could post links, but I can't on this tablet.

But yes, most non-organic foods at the supermarket don't have the nutrients they should. Supplements have been working for many people. The multi-vitamin supplements do the best job for some people, where as others prefer the individual supplements. But you must be careful with how much you use or how long you use it for. It could quickly begin to damage your system.

There is no danger in your skin turning orange though and it is barely noticable. I juice 1 kg carrots everyday along with sweet potatoes and that is providing with tons of vitamin A. I haven't seen all that much orange hue at all. Eating carrots wouldn't provide you with enough unless you ate 1 kg raw carrots everyday which sounds so tedious and not worth it.

Melloman, btw, how did everything go for you? I only had like two food intolerances and so the people who took it said I didn't have leaky gut. I don't know if these 'food intolerance' test do anything to be honest, at least it didn't for me. I have been trying homeopathy instead because I think I have some hormone imbalance.

@il90

1kg is = to 2 pounds of carrots U.S. right? I saw someone eating 5 pounds a day, which you are right, is tedeous. I don't know how it worked out for the person. I eat about 1 pound a day, which isn't too bad. Anymore would be a lot on me. Do you really think I'd be getting a significant amount if I upped it to 2 pounds?

Did you take the Mediator Release Test?!?! I have been clear off and on because of my cheating. I just started an acne journey where I'm only eating Wheat, Carrots, and Oats. You can find it in my topics if you wanna see. I'm saving up to order a Mediator Release Test from Florida. I'm not cheating from here on out, so... Yeah I should clear in a week or two.

Right now I have insignificant acne on back of shoulders, and scabs from recent breakout that I blame on cabbage. I also realized the skin prick test is SO inaccurate, it's not worth taking for acne.

Happy to see you stayed natural. How is your acne? Are you seeing a naturopath? What type of homeopathy are you doing? I thought you were a guy when I first communicated with you. You are beautiful. Please don't comment on my picture, I look ugly cuz I was making a stupid face.

What's the Mediator Release Test? I took a Yorktest (IgG testing I believe). I don't have acne, I got a small whitehead this morning, but that is it. I do get other stuff like rashes etc but not like acne. I juice everyday, up to more than one litre.

I think I've figured out what the problem is. I have been going through numerous posts with people getting clear. Either they take supplements, try diets (grain-free paleo) juicing, or try to fix some gut problem (leaky gut) etc. What do they all have in common? They are not getting some nutrient. Why do I believe this is the problem and not yeast or bad bacteria (gut flora)? Yeast does not manifest as acne, it will manifest as eczema, itching rashes, folliticulis. Of course bad gut flora might be the cause for malabsorbtion that might cause acne but bacteria itself is not crawling up to your skin and causing acne. IgG testing is the same, it hints at what you are eating that is causing you to Malabsorb since you aren't digesting properly. (check this out: (read it until the end) http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/topic/227185-my-gut-issues-are-causing-severe-acne-and-i-need-help-fixing-it/ ) This girl cured her acne by juicing even though her gut problems continued hinting that you can still have gut problem but not acne as long as you are getting the nutrients you need (I think this nutrient we need is antioxidant in the form of vitamin A especially). Also check this out:

But what aren't we absorbing though? By taking Accutane we are taking extraordinary amounts of Vitamin A, a form of antioxidant. I found some research some time ago that said that they had tested patients with acne and measured their antioxidant levels (glutathione). They always had low levels in contrary to people that had clear skin. Let me know if you want me to dig up the research paper for you.

This theory does not really go with the idea of hormones and acne. I haven't been able to connect this yet. It may be that some have low levels of antioxidants while others have problems with hormones (like pcos, endo, etc). But it might be that getting a ton of antioxidants prevents acne from forming, just look at accutane. About 99% clears while on it, regardless of what happens when they stop taking the drug.

This is why so many are successful when they juice a ton of veggies (getting 500-1000% of daily need of several vitamins and minerals), or when they 'fix their leaky gut' (whatever that means but I guess it 'fixes' the problem if that is possible), or when they go on grain-free diets such as paleo (phytic acid inhibits absorption of enzymes and nutrients - again saying it is a matter of nutrient deficiencies).

I would def. try juicing if I were you. Check this out: and go grain-free while taking L-glutamine or something like that. You know you have leaky gut (right?) then you know that the primary problem with leaky gut is the fact that you're not getting some nutrient. So while trying to fix your gut problems, you can do this too. That way it won't be so frustrating. Acne leaves scars every time we do something wrong.

Wish you luck. You should get back to us when you've found something that works.

I am not seeing a naturopath. I think some of the things they suggest is unrealistic, and about 9 out of 10 will not have proper education or training. I am seeing a homeopath, I do this with the help of my normal doctor, it is mostly just trying to balance hormones.

Oh, and thank you!

Ha, I have found something that works. and you are right, il90. My diet wasn't completely balanced, and I was lacking a lot of nutrients. I was also eating grains while trying to heal my gut. Once I cut out the grains and added in more fruits and veggies that I did not react to, I healed. So I'm clear, and only get a bit of acne when I cheat on junk that I know won't give me cysts.

And wow. You never had acne? Glad you cleared your rashes, though.

There is no danger in your skin turning orange though and it is barely noticable. I juice 1 kg carrots everyday along with sweet potatoes and that is providing with tons of vitamin A.

I eat carrots every day which are loaded with vitamin A and I notice a huge difference in my skin.

Carrots and sweet potatoes do NOT contain vitamin A. Beta-carotene is a pro-vitamin A carotenoid.

Ha, I have found something that works. and you are right, il90. My diet wasn't completely balanced, and I was lacking a lot of nutrients. I was also eating grains while trying to heal my gut. Once I cut out the grains and added in more fruits and veggies that I did not react to, I healed. So I'm clear, and only get a bit of acne when I cheat on junk that I know won't give me cysts.

 

And wow. You never had acne? Glad you cleared your rashes, though.

Oh, no, I've had acne! Hah I have plenty of scars to prove it. I went on low dose accutane but stopped early. It hasn't come back but I adopted several diet techniques (like juicing, grain-free diet), stopped using acne products on my face, and started exercising daily. So, maybe it is residue from accutane or it is actually helping but I can't be sure until either it comes back or if I try to live like before. My rashes though persist. They come with stomach problems, so that's why I know that dermatitis is actually more common with ppl with stomach problems than acne. I have read tons of reports of people getting rid of their acne but not their stomach problems and eczema.

I'm surprised all you had to do was modify your diet. I went on super weird diets before going on accutane, like candida-diet (also tried paleo etc) which was basically free of everything but non-starchy veggies and white meat. All without success, but I was pretty impatient though. But it definitely got worse the more restrictive I was with my diet, I even think I got moderate-severe acne at one point after months of dieting which shouldn't have happened.

Do you eat any amino-acids (Like L-glutamine)? I think you need it to restore the gut-lining according to advocates of leaky-gut syndrome. I am not sure though I believe in it. But I do agree that somehow I was not absorbing certain nutrients that might have caused acne. I do not believe in the whole bacteria thing, it is just too improbable. Although, good bacteria in abundance have been proven to increase immune response (immune system) which can help acne so I guess if you would see it that way.

 

There is no danger in your skin turning orange though and it is barely noticable. I juice 1 kg carrots everyday along with sweet potatoes and that is providing with tons of vitamin A.

 

>>>>I eat carrots every day which are loaded with vitamin A and I notice a huge difference in my skin.

 

Carrots and sweet potatoes do NOT contain vitamin A. Beta-carotene is a pro-vitamin A carotenoid.

I can not say whether it is beta carotene that is helping acne by juicing because another member here (Heinstar) did not focus on drinking veggies with this vitamin but somehow cleared her acne regardless. I do think it is caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency. I do not know how this deficiency arose in the first place, some argue for leaky-gut but I am sceptic because the reasoning does not completely add up.

Nevertheless, as to your statement: "The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A (retinol) - beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A. We need vitamin A for healthy skin and mucus membranes, our immune system, and good eye health and vision."

Also, beta carotene in abundance is much safer than vitamin A which can cause toxicity (dry lips and skin on Accutane).

some argue for leaky-gut but I am sceptic because the reasoning does not completely add up.

What do you mean by that specifically? Personally, I doubt it's a microbiome issue also. As far as what I suspect, it's complicated - there are too many factors interconnected to really make sense of it on a forum in a few posts.

"The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A (retinol) - beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A. We need vitamin A for healthy skin and mucus membranes, our immune system, and good eye health and vision."

This is true. Beta-carotene can be a precursor, though there's really no guarantee that the conversion into retinol will take place. Even worse, the conversion rate is not that high. Some may be better than none, but too much is probably not a good idea.

I used to think diet was the be-all-end-all of acne. I no longer do, at least not in the way that it is generally thought of in causing acne. Although, clearly it does play a big role. Nor do I view acne as an "isolated" disease anymore, but as one with many factors causative of other diseases. But I will agree with the idea that the american lifestyle is just simply not compatible with optimum health. When "health" is reduced to late-night infomercials and paid celebrity testimonials hawking the latest "revolutionary" treatment, bad shit happens. Not that I'm bitter, but over the years I've taken a pretty cynical view of the whole medical establishment and corporate environment in the U.S. It's an environment that employs marketing as a weapon to prey upon ignorance, anxiety and helplessness. It's about stringing along the average person with "the last X you'll ever need!".

 

some argue for leaky-gut but I am sceptic because the reasoning does not completely add up.

 

What do you mean by that specifically? Personally, I doubt it's a microbiome issue also. As far as what I suspect, it's complicated - there are too many factors interconnected to really make sense of it on a forum in a few posts.

 

>>>"The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A (retinol) - beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A. We need vitamin A for healthy skin and mucus membranes, our immune system, and good eye health and vision."

 

This is true. Beta-carotene can be a precursor, though there's really no guarantee that the conversion into retinol will take place. Even worse, the conversion rate is not that high. Some may be better than none, but too much is probably not a good idea.

 

I used to think diet was the be-all-end-all of acne. I no longer do, at least not in the way that it is generally thought of in causing acne. Although, clearly it does play a big role. Nor do I view acne as an "isolated" disease anymore, but as one with many factors causative of other diseases. But I will agree with the idea that the american lifestyle is just simply not compatible with optimum health. When "health" is reduced to late-night infomercials and paid celebrity testimonials hawking the latest "revolutionary" treatment, bad shit happens. Not that I'm bitter, but over the years I've taken a pretty cynical view of the whole medical establishment and corporate environment in the U.S. It's an environment that employs marketing as a weapon to prey upon ignorance, anxiety and helplessness. It's about stringing along the average person with "the last X you'll ever need!".

Yes. Right. I've been there too. It is about business. So is all the 'natural treatments' unfortunately. Need to take it all with a grain of salt.

I do not know acne is really disease related, most people with acne are perfectly healthy. I would say that rashes and folliculitis might be yeast related though (as in yeast infection - no great fungus living inside you). Rosacea might be digestion related. Although, PCOS and endo cause hormonal acne. Maybe it is just plain hormones after all.

It would be so easy to believe in this 'candida issue,' or 'leaky gut,' but it is too simple. Hitler once said, "make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it." When people first started talking about this fungus living inside us causing every symptom you've ever experienced, it was so scary that I actually fell for it. Sometimes I catch myself falling for it again when enough people go on and on about it. Because how can so many believe it? It is quite astonishing. Systematic candida they say. I had someone professional explain it to me and after I laughed, how could I even fall for that? Oh, don't get me wrong Candida exists, however, it does not have to be dangerous. Only with people with severely compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV. After, when people have calmed down and started doubting Candida (I bet there are tons still out there believing it), leaky gut surfaced. I once googled, "did anyone actually cure leaky gut?" Do you know what I found? No one has cured leaky gut.

When I first went to a naturopath with my acne issues she told me I had leaky gut (naturally), when I came back after going on accutane I saw another specialist who took the blood IgG test and after I asked "so how do I fix this leaky gut problem?" And she goes, "why do you think you have leaky gut? You only have two food intolerances. I you don't have such problems." Really? So I guess Accutane cured me? Or, I was only diagnosed with leaky gut because I had acne? They apparently see if you have leaky gut if you have enough food intolerances, they say. Obviously she didn't know how this made her look.

If I really think about it my instincts tell me it is all bullshit. They got the idea from somewhere, as with Candida (being in all of us), or intestinal permeability turning into leaky gut (even though outcome is very different) and then just worked from there. Maybe they even believed it along it way, why not? It would explain everything. If only.

I think from everything I've gathered that it has something to do with malabsorption or man made products that we inhale or eat such as pesticides or gas fumes from cars and industry. Before when I had acne I used to go up the the swiss alps about two weeks at a time and my acne mysteriously disappeared even though I did not eat all that healthy. So it is about air, maybe the water supply too, or blood circulation (high altitude increases blood circulation - running does indeed help that too). Hormones are also a factor, however, I have done very limited research in that area.

So how are we suppose to live? In a bubble? Somehow, some of us are too sensitive for this world but we live in it. This is where I decided to take Accutane because I live in this society I would have to conform to their ways. It really sucks. I eat super healthy too and I will probably always have problems but it is just life.

I do not know acne is really disease related, most people with acne are perfectly healthy.

For the most part yes. What I meant was in terms of oxidative stress, inflammation, etc. Those things are factors in lots of other diseases as well. It might manifest itself as acne, but cellular damage by free radicals is no less serious in acne as in anything else.

"make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it."

Have seen that quote before and it's funny because it's so true. God knows it applies to ..ahem..our current president. The larger the group of people being spoken to the more it has to be in "laymans terms". Try having an intelligent conversation with 30 people in the room.

It would be so easy to believe in this 'candida issue,' or 'leaky gut,' but it is too simple.

Yeah. It sounds all big and bad and scary and maybe there is some truth to it, but more often than not it almost sounds or feels like some vague term whose definition can be shaped on the fly. I don't doubt that some issues can have lots of effects, but it's used almost like a catchall as in "I don't know the real diagnosis, so it's a symptom of leaky gut!"

Before when I had acne I used to go up the the swiss alps about two weeks at a time and my acne mysteriously disappeared even though I did not eat all that healthy.

Oh yeah? What's the weather like?

Hey, do you have IM like AIM or something? So we can chat. I found some of the stuff you said interesting.

 

I do not know acne is really disease related, most people with acne are perfectly healthy.

 

For the most part yes. What I meant was in terms of oxidative stress, inflammation, etc. Those things are factors in lots of other diseases as well. It might manifest itself as acne, but cellular damage by free radicals is no less serious in acne as in anything else.

 

>"make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it."

 

Have seen that quote before and it's funny because it's so true. God knows it applies to ..ahem..our current president. The larger the group of people being spoken to the more it has to be in "laymans terms". Try having an intelligent conversation with 30 people in the room.

 

It would be so easy to believe in this 'candida issue,' or 'leaky gut,' but it is too simple.

 

Yeah. It sounds all big and bad and scary and maybe there is some truth to it, but more often than not it almost sounds or feels like some vague term whose definition can be shaped on the fly. I don't doubt that some issues can have lots of effects, but it's used almost like a catchall as in "I don't know the real diagnosis, so it's a symptom of leaky gut!"

 

Before when I had acne I used to go up the the swiss alps about two weeks at a time and my acne mysteriously disappeared even though I did not eat all that healthy.

 

Oh yeah? What's the weather like?

 

Hey, do you have IM like AIM or something? So we can chat. I found some of the stuff you said interesting.

Yes I agree. There is more oxidative stress but somehow less antioxidants to combat it. This is the stuff I found in a research paper I shared awhile ago. So, it would probably be a good idea to increase (if possible) antioxidants while trying to decrease oxidative stress. This could be from anything, from anxiety and depression to the environment. This could be why people with anxiety get acne (traumatic events etc). But it is very hard to lower oxidative stress while living in our society though. Stress is practically just part of life. I remember you shared how inflammation is caused by heated vegetable oils also, I am guessing this falls into the same category. Omega 6: Omega 3 ratio is probably also a factor.

I still think the predominant reason must be some nutritional deficiency, an antioxidant or something. Because why would people clear by juicing vegetables otherwise? I have also heard people getting better after getting more Vit D if they have a deficiency in it.

With regards to the Swiss Alps. I have been there both summer and winter with the same outcome. My acne disappears regardless. I have really tried to understand why. My mom suggested that it might be the increase in blood circulation which speeds up healing. Over 2000 meter above ground will have that effect. Or, it had something to do with the clean air and water. Well, at least you know you can always move to the Swiss Alps, worst case scenario haha.

Nope, don't have IM or AIM. Sorry.

Well, at least you know you can always move to the Swiss Alps, worst case scenario

Hah. It looks like a pretty cool area.

Much more satisfying though would be having the food and medical industries along with the FDA exposed for the criminals they are. The type of stuff I've read and learned about in relation to our lifestyle and even just simple food items...it's just absolutely fucking criminal. All to make a buck. And of course, there's always a new drug for any new ailment that crops up.

I suppose if you can control what goes in the mouths of people, then you can also dictate in some sense who passes through your waiting rooms too. Just a few decades or centuries ago, people never really had many of these problems and nowhere near on the kinds of scales we now see. But unless you live on some remote island or grow all your own stuff it's impossible to get away from. Besides, with the growth of the world population the situation won't be getting any better in terms of mass production and cheapening of ingredients.

For many, affluence means a trade for their health. In which case I'd take the latter. Might not drive a bentley, but that's irrelavant when you have what really matters: the ability to get it up without the assistance of a forklift and a bottomless supply of viagra at age 40.