Can Diet Affect a Teenager's Skin?

How Diet Affect a Teenager's Skin?

According to Ellen Marmur, M.D., author of the book, “Simple Skin Beauty,” and professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital, there are no medically proven statistics that show that what your teen eats affects her skin -- but most dermatologists still believe that a link does exist. While there are at least a dozen reasons why teens experience acne, such as hormones, menstrual cycles and skin type, many still believe that eating greasy foods and unhealthy foods can be factors in skin problems. At the same time, many believe that a healthy diet makes for better skin.


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According to Loren Cordain, professor of health and exercise science at Colorado State University, who has studied the effects of a junk food-laden diet, what your teen consumes might have a say in how often your teen breaks out. Cordain's study followed 1,200 islanders in Papua New Guinea who survive on a diet of mostly fruits, vegetables, fish and wild game, with virtually no processed foods. Cordain and her colleagues did not encounter any acne on the faces of teens and young adults here, leading her to believe that the processed sugars consumed by American teens cause acne.

Water
Marmur states that water consumption does have an effect on your teen’s skin. The reason for this is that water hydrates the skin and causes it to plump, which is healthy. Consumption of water helps to flush toxins from the body that do lead to breakouts and acne problems. Water is also necessary for the regeneration of healthy skin in a teen – as well as adults.

Zinc, Vitamins, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
According to WebMD, those who eat foods rich in zinc, such as almonds, turkey and wheat germ, are less likely to suffer from acne. Zinc has been shown to help calm skin that has been irritated by breakouts, which can cause the skin to clear up and acne to disappear. Additionally, some evidence suggests that teens who suffer from acne have a lower level of zinc in their bodies than those who do not have an issue with acne. Vitamins C and E are also thought to have a calming effect on the skin, while omega-3 fatty acids may inhibit inflammation and support healthy skin cell turnover, making acne less likely.

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Refined Carbohydrates and Processed Sugars
Cordain’s theory is that foods rich in refined carbohydrates and processed sugars are bad for the skin. These foods cause hormones to go into overload, causing skin to break out. Teens that eat a diet rich in junk such as candy bars, chocolate, greasy foods, soda and breads are more likely to experience skin problems such as acne and breakouts. So while the jury is still out as far as exactly how much diet affects the skin, a diet rich in healthy foods is the safest bet -- and one that will certainly benefit your teen's overall health.
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