Western diet,dairy products may raise acne risk

The association between acne and diet was evaluated in 2009 with a review of 21 observational studies and six clinical trials. Observational studies,including two large controlled prospective trials,reported that intake of cow’s milk increased the prevalence of acne and its severity. Based on these findings,there exists convincing data supporting the role of dairy products and food high in glycemic-index in influencing hormonal and inflammatory factors,which can increase acne prevalence and severity.

In 2005,a large study of more than 47,000 nurses,evaluated the association between milk and acne in the adolescents. Among participants,who had been diagnosed with severe acne as teenagers,those with the highest level of total milk intake ( more than three servings per day) reported having acne more frequently than compared with individuals with the lowest level of intake (less than one serving per week).

This association was strongest (a 44 per cent increase) for intake of skimmed milk,suggesting fat content was not the determining factor for acne risk. Researchers hypothesised that the hormones found in milk played a role in acne risk.

In addition,dairy products and the proteins in dairy like whey,seem to exert an exaggerated insulin response,despite having low glycemic index. In other words,they stimulate insulin secretion,which may be be responsible for positive association between dairy intake and acne.

However,according to the dermatologists at American Academy of Dermatology,dairy does appear to be weakly associated with acne. The exact mechanism behind this association remain unclear and more studies are needed in this area. The advice is to be your own detective and to determine if milk and milk products are the triggers.