Whilst there have not been many flaxseed oil and acne studies carried out, flaxseed supplements remains a popular acne treatment, with both natural therapists and acne sufferers.

Flaxseed is traditionally used as a natural laxative, providing bulk to the stool as well as lubrication. But flax oil has many other benefits, which derive from its richness in the omega 3 essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids are so named because we must get them from our diet - our bodies do not make them. They are important for normal growth and development, brain function, and help prevent chronic illnesses like arthritis and heart disease.

Essential fatty acids come in several forms, the most commonly known being the omega 3 fatty acids and the omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 6 fatty acids are more common in our Western diets, being found in oils like safflower, sunflower, corn, sesame, and other oils. It is possible to have a deficiency of omega 6 fatty acids if relying only on omega 3 fats, like flax and fish oils, as the main type of fat in the diet. Or if taking the omega 3 fatty acids in greater quantities for a period of one and a half, to two years, to restore an omega 3 deficiency. But the more likely scenario is that an excess of omega 6 fatty acids is being consumed in relation to the omega 3’s.

Symptoms of omega 3 fatty acid deficiency include dry skin, sticky platelets, and tissue inflammation. Given that inflammation is of particular concern for acne sufferers, it becomes easier to see why increasing the amount of omega 3 fatty acids in the diet remains a popular natural acne treatment.

Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in certain types of fish like salmon and mackerel, and flaxseed oil. And as well as reducing inflammation, omega 3’s speed up healing - again, important for acne sufferers - and reduce platelet stickiness. Platelet stickiness becomes important beyond heart health when you consider that the blood cells carry the supply of oxygen to cells, including cells in our skin, and the cells that are involved in healing.

There are 3 types of omega 3 fatty acids that are significant. These are alpha linolenic acid (ALA or LNA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). ALA (or LNA, as it is often abbreviated to) is converted into EPA and DHA by the body. EPA and DHA are the forms in which the omega 3’s are most easily used by the body. Supplementation with ALA has been found to reduce inflammation and improve dry skin.

Flaxseed oil is a very good source of ALA, containing an average of 55% and higher. But to carry out the conversions into EPA and DHA, the body needs to have good levels of zinc, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin B3 and vitamin B6.

The recommended intake of ALA is about 2,220 mg per day. Higher doses are recommended to treat deficiencies, or some conditions. There is no real standard recommendation for acne sufferers simply because not enough studies have been done in relation to acne. But doses of 3000 to 6000 mg per day are used to prevent and treat some chronic conditions.

For more information on natural acne home cures, click here. For information on zinc gluconate and acne, click here.

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How do you know what foods to eat? Maybe you like rice or pasta or grits or other starchy foods that need insulin to process these foods.

How much of the starchy or carbohydrate (CHO) foods can I eat? Well that depends on if you need to lose weight, gain weight or maintain your weight.

I think the most prudent way of eating the foods you love and at the same time not putting too much strain on the pancreas to spit out insulin, is to eat in moderation.

What I mean by moderation is using the Visual Plate Method. Believe it or not, this is one way of controlling your food intake, as well as how much carbohydrate or starchy foods you include with your meal.

So what does the Visual Plate Method mean. All it means is look at your plate with your food in it. If all you see is rice, or grits or sweet food as the majority of your plate, then you are way off base. You should include a green leafy vegetable or salad, Protein food (eggs , meat, fish, cheese) and a small portion of starchy vegetables or rice, pasta or whatever other carbohydrate.

Since I work as a visiting nurse, I try to explain to the patients that you don’t have to go to extremes. It doesn’t matter what culture and foods that you like. It matters that you need to portion control your starchy vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, peas, potatoes) and your CHO foods (rice, pasta, and other starchy foods) with each meal.

If you decide you want peas and carrots, then eat very little rice or pasta. If you eat green leafy vegetables, then you can eat more rice or pasta.

Protein foods do not raise your blood sugar, so you can add more fish, eggs, meat, etc with your meals. As long as your cholesterol isn’t too high (eggs and meats) and you are not a Kidney patient, there should be no reason why you can’t eat more protein foods. Protein foods that contain their own natural fat actually help curb your appetite. It is the CHO that stimulate your appetite.

If you are a teenager, then following a diet is much harder. If you eat potato chips, then no starch with your meal. I’m not saying to eat potato chips but realistically teenagers eat a little more junk foods than normal. Let’s not make our teenagers neurotic about eating exactly the foods that parents may insist on. If they don’t eat it in front of you, they will do it behind your back.

Whenever you eat a meal or snack, it should always include a small amount of protein that has its own natural fat. The protein food with its own natural fat tends to hold onto the food longer so that your blood sugar doesn’t spike and then drop immediately. That can happen if you have a piece of fruit and no protein food with it. Also, eating just a piece of fruit can make you hungrier. That’s where the protein food helps to curb the appetite.

I also tell my patients not to drink any juice unless your blood sugar is low. It is better to eat the fruit than drink the juice.

Also recommended is if you like soda, then drink diet soda sweetened with Splenda. There is too much controversy with Nutrasweet or Aspartame. If you ever read the instruction for Nutrasweet, you cannot cook with it as it changes into a substance when heated that is not good for the body. Check online about the hazards of Aspartame or Nutrasweel and you make your own judgment. You will notice that Pepsi, Coke, 7Up are now going with Splenda. Thank You So Much!!!!!

As always, you need to consult with your doctor. A diabetes educator and dietician can do wonders for your diet.

Copyright 2005

F. Kuhn, RN
Specializing in Diabetes

http://www.diabetestestingcenter.com

http://www.diabetesdrugs.diabetestestingcenter.com
http://www.diabetesdiet.diabetestestingcenter.com

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Acne has many forms. Although it is most commonly located on the face it can occur anywhere on the body. Cases of acne can be anywhere from mild to severe. Mild cases which can be self-treated are typically manageable. Severe cases of acne though should be treated under the guidance of a qualified health professional. A dermatologist would be the type of doctor to consult in this case.

The type of acne experienced by most people is ‘common acne’, its scientific name is ‘acne vulgaris’. Other names you may have heard this type of acne called are whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, cysts or nodules.

Blackheads occur when a pore becomes partially blocked. Sebum is the substance which causes oily skin. This along with dead skin cells and bacteria can drain to the skin’s surface. This in turn causes the pigments to be exposed to air. It is this exposure that causes the black color and can take an extended period of time to clear up.

Whiteheads occur when the sebum, dead cells and bacteria become blocked in the pores completely and are held beneath the surface of the skin.

A red circle with a white or yellow center signals the appearance of pustules. While it sounds menacing this is the form of acne we know as pimples or zits.

Nodules are much larger than the other types of acne and form tough lumps beneath the skin’s surface. These tend to be painful and can last for several months. This form of acne should be treated by a dermatologist as it is highly prone to scarring.

Along the same lines as the nodule is the cyst. Cysts are a form of acne that are filled with pus. Cysts also tend to be painful and can result in scarring if left untreated. Cysts should also be looked at by a dermatologist.

A rare form of ‘acne vulgaris’ that is extremely disfiguring is acne conglobata. This type of acne is more commonly found in males rather than females. Acne conglobata causes large lesions to form on the body, most notably on the chest, back, face, upper arms and thighs. It can also be accompanied by blackheads. It can cause damage to the skin and permanent scarring. The condition could persist for several years and could cause psychological as well as physical suffering. Another form of this is acne fulminans. Symptoms of this are fever and aching joints. The common treatment is oral steroids.

When acne is treated over a long period with antibiotics a bacterial infection can occur called gram-negative folliculitis. Symptoms of this bacterial infection are pustules and cysts.

A form of acne called Pyoderma Faciale affects females between the ages of 20 and 40. More susceptible are women in this age range who have not had acne before. Symptoms of this are painful pustules, nodules on the face and cysts. Also possible is permanent scarring. This typically will clear up within a year.

Acne Rosacea, commonly called just rosacea, typically affects people over the age of 30. A symptom of this is a red rash on the face. Also possible are other skin blemishes such as pimples. Care should be taken not to confuse this with acne vulgaris as each has a different treatment. Rosacea is more commonly found in women. However, when it does affect men it is more severe.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Acne

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