Dairy Free

“Cow’s milk, eating cheese… My skin — my acne flares up” I can’t count the number of times clients point to their acne sighting dairy products as the culprit. Or eczema. Skin conditions generally. Dairy free skin benefits are a no brainer. So they say.

WHAT’S THE REAL STORY? Must we give up dairy for acne free, clear, healthy looking skin? Read on to find the precise science behind dairy and acne.

dairy free

There’s no definite link between dairy and acne, but there are theories about it. What does this mean exactly?

Going dairy free can be recommended as a trial and error method to treat adult acne using naturopathy — HOLD THE PRESS — At Susannah Makram Clinics we just don’t do trial and error. We do functional. We help manage conditions like adult acne using care pathways designed for only you.

So, whats’ the real story?

In an article he wrote for a medical journal in 2008, F. William Danby, MD, a skin expert who promotes the possible dairy-acne connection, explained how the two may be related. Milk contains components related to the hormone testosterone that may stimulate oil glands in the skin, setting the stage for acne.

It’s generally accepted that excess sebum, hormones, bacteria and hyper proliferation of follicular cells are the major etiologic factors for acne. [1]

Although studies have shown associations between dairy and acne, they don’t show cause and effect. They don’t prove that dairy causes acne.

Anecdotes from people who’ve quit dairy also don’t mean that the same will be true for you.

Dairy is an important source of calcium and vitamin D, which our bones (and the rest of our body) need. So if we cut back, do so with care.

Dairy and calcium

Dairy products show weak but possible association with acne. Studies conducted in recent years have continued to examine the influence of dairy products — particularly milk — on acne severity. Dairy does appear to be weakly associated with acne, with the strongest association being skim milk. The exact mechanism behind this association is unclear. Hormones and growth factors in milk might play a role.

The exact cause of acne is unknown, but there are a number of factors that can bring on acne or make it worse, including hormones, genetics, and emotional stress. Recently, dermatologists have taken another look at whether diet’s role in acne is a myth.

Several new studies have examined the possible link between diet and acne — particularly carbohydrates and dairy products. [2] Studies concluded that High Glycaemic Index Foods could worsen acne. evidence of the link between diet and acne stems from patients with PCOS – polycystic ovarian syndrome. Specifically, studies have shown that acne improves when these patients are treated with medications that improve their body’s ability to regulate or control blood sugar. A low-carbohydrate diet also has been shown to stabilise these patients’ hormones, which can cause breakouts.

Dairy Free Skin Benefits

Dairy Free

Safe, clinical, practical and effective.