Health for life

Ever since I was a teenager, Ive always struggled with that damn acne on my face.  Sometimes itll be really bad, other times itll clear up and Ill finally think Im growing out of it.  But it never fails to return.  Over the years, Ive experimented with just about everything under the sun to treat it (including the sun itself actually).  Just off the top of my head, and remember that this goes all the way back to the late 90s...

Stridex pads, Oxy pads, Swiss apricot scrub, probably 5 different types of Clearasil, all varieties of that white spot-treatment cream you put on at night...

More recently Ive tried the hippy route and experimented with different combinations of castor oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, the cod liver oil / butter oil blend...

Ive tried washing it once a day, twice a day, after each meal, every other day, two days a week, once a week on Mondays at 8:00 am sharp... 

Ive also tried for as long as I can remember to find a dietary connection to acne.  First I thought it was dairy, then gluten, then alcohol, then carbs, then vegetable oils.  There were several occasions when I would eat super healthy for weeks and struggle with acne, then go out and party one night, stay up late and drink alcohol, and wake up the next morning with a face clearer than Id seen in weeks.  What gives??

Never mind the hair... focus on the acne.  It wasnt excessive, but it was just enough to be a problem.  I can remember this night specifically... it definitely ruined my confidence.  No one wants to deal with that.

In the end, after all those years of experimentation and wasted money, I ended up right back where I began... frustrated, confused, and clueless...

...until recently.  Ive been experimenting with something for several months now, since early November, that has worked extremely well for me.  It hasnt cleared up my skin completely, but its made a big difference.  I rarely break out anymore, but even when I do get the rare pimple here and there, itll be gone in just a day or two.  Its pretty incredible.

And youre not going to believe what it is.  Its so simple, so obvious in hindsight, that I cant believe I didnt figure it out sooner.  It might seem counter-intuitive at first, but it will all make sense when Im through with you.  Are you ready??  Heres the secret...

Do nothing.

You heard me.  Dont do anything.



I call it the Kunu Protocol.  Ive completely given up cleaning my face.  I dont use face wash, soap, cream, oil... I even avoid putting water on my face!  And yes, that means I shower less.  Those of you who know me in real life, have you noticed?  Didnt think so. 

The most recent picture of me from New Years Eve, with far less acne.  Cherish this selfie, you may never see another.

If you think about this for a minute, it actually makes sense.  Look at it from a historical perspective, as I like to do.
First... look at modern hunter-gatherers or even small-scale agriculturalists... people isolated from modern society.  They dont suffer from acne. According to the research of Weston A. Price, acne happens concurrently with the introduction of modern, processed food.  Its a disease of civilization.
Hence... humans likely never suffered from acne in hunter-gatherer times, accounting for nearly all of our 2.5 million years on this earth.
Did our ancestors use Clearasil?  Did they wipe their faces with Stridex pads?  Apricot scrub?  No.
Did they rinse their faces with water twice a day to keep them clean?  Doubtful.
Did they think about cleaning their faces at all??  I dont think so!

Look, Im no expert on the skin and acne, but this is what worked for me.  It just makes sense:  Stop dousing your face with chemicals and water, and let your skin do its thing with its natural oils.  Our faces werent designed for this beating! 

I know the Kunu Protocol isnt sexy.  Its not glamorous, nor exciting.  Youve probably never heard of it before, because it doesnt make anybody any money.  But the bottom line is it works.  Why not try it, you have nothing to lose!


What about you guys?  What are your thoughts on this minimalist approach?  And what skin care strategies have worked for you?

A diet high in glycemic index foods and dairy products is now linked to acne, according to a new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The study also suggests using medical nutrition therapy (MNT) as a form of acne treatment. The findings support rising evidence of a link between diet and acne.

Over 17 million people in the United States have acne, which generally occurs during their teen and young adult years. Acne can affect quality of life and lead to:

* anxiety
* depression
* social withdraw

Because of these unfavorable consequences associated with the skin condition, treatment for acne is crucial.

Previous studies have always associated diet to this common skin condition. Since the 1800s, research pinpointed chocolate, sugar, and fat as diet factors contributing to acne. However, starting in the 1960s, studies began disassociating diet from acne.

Jennifer Burris, MS, RD, of the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University said:

"This change occurred largely because of the results of two important research studies that are repeatedly cited in the literature and popular culture as evidence to ute the association between diet and acne. More recently, dermatologists and registered dietitians have revisited the diet-acne relationship and become increasingly interested in the role of medical nutritional therapy in acne treatment."



The researchers, led by Burris, conducted a literature review to examine evidence for the link between acne and diet during three time periods: early history, the rise of diet-acne myth, and recent studies.

The investigators took information from studies between 1960 and 2012 that examined acne and diet. The study factors that were analyzed were:

* design
* participants
* erence
* intervention method
* results and conclusions
* primary outcome
* covariate considerations
* limitations

The study showed that a high glycemic index/glycemic load diet and high dairy intake are the primary factors in establishing the association between acne and diet.

Are you looking for acne solutions that really work? The good news is, whether youre a teenager or an adult suffering from acne, you dont have to live with it. Here you can find 10 super easy and effective ways to get rid of acne.

1. Do not pick, press or rub your pimples. These actions actually increase the sebum production and rupture the membranes below your skin. The infection and sebum will spread underneath your skin and cause more pimples. Also, you risk increasing the chances of leaving scars on your face.

2. Wash your face twice a day using a mild soup. It is even better if you can buy sulfur-based soap especially for acne. If your skin is too oily, use a soap with benzoyl peroxide. Do not use rough sponges, brushes, or anything similar on your face. You shouldnt, however, over-wash your face because it will actually stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum which will increase your acne.

3. Check if it is because of the food. For many people, food allergy can cause very serious acne condition. You should avoid eating too much oily and spicy food. Recent studies have shown that acne can also be caused by milk which contains hormones as well as seafood with relatively high levels of iodine. If possible, cut down on those foods. Other foods you may consider avoiding are: sugar, dairy products, deep-fried food, meat, nut butters, etc. On the other hand, it is believed that green vegetables, vegetable juices and foods rich in zinc can help alleviate acne condition.

4. Drink more water every day. "Eight glasses of water a day can keep acne away." says Jennifer Thoden, a respected acne expert. The reason is that water can carry waste material out of our body and it really helps heal and prevent acne flare-ups.

5. Do not wear makeup if possible. Makeup products can clog your pores, cause more blackheads and pimples. If you have to wear makeup, make sure it is water-based. Be sure to clean your makeup brushes regularly and cleanse your skin before you sleep.

6. Do not use oily products. Avoid products such as hair pomades, intense oil-based facial moisturizers, and oily cleansers.

7. Keep your face clean. Do not rest your chin on your hands or constantly touch your face. Regular shampoo your hair and keep it off your face, especially when you sleep.

8. Exercise moderately as it helps in blood circulation and elimination of toxins.

9. Stay stress-free. Studies have shown that stress not only worsens acne flare-up, it also worsens the overall skin condition. Talk to your friends, listen to your favorite music, or take a walk in the park. There are many things you can do to be stress free.

10. Get Sunshine and fresh air. Sunshine stimulates vitamin D in the body, an essential vitamin for healthy skin. Fresh air and sunshine can also reduce stress (tip #9) and increase oxygen to the skin. Dont get burnt in the sun though. Burnt and heavily tanned skin forms a layer on the skin that doesnt exfoliate quickly enough and can lead to blocked pores.

Article by : Nicholas Ahern

Article Source : 10 Easy and Natural Ways to Get Rid of Acne

Starfruit is grown in Southeast Asia, but its popularity as a "super" has helped to spread to other areas. Farmers began rising star in South Florida and Hawaii because of the growing U.S. demand to be explored. Skin health, including the alleviation of acne, is one of the benefits of eating fruits stars.

Zinc

Zinc is the main reason for the carambola can help cure acne. Zinc tablets and other preparations are often used to combat the causes of acne, starfruit, food is a tasty way to get more zinc in your diet.

After HolisticAcneTreatments.com acne is caused mainly by two factors - hormonal imbalance and the accumulation of toxins in the blood and lymphatic system. Zinc regulates the sebaceous glands of the skin but can also help regulate the hormonal balance.

Zinc, vitamin A also helps heal wounds, ulcers, acne and helps to absorb. Also, the Zinc is an immune system booster to bacteria known to cause acne in the first fight.
     
To prevent oily skin

People with oily skin prone to acne, eating fruits and stars can contribute to oily skin. Carambola is acidic and contains a large amount of water. This combination, for the good life and good health of skin, oily skin, helps in two ways. The water helps wash impurities from the system and the juice cleanses the skin, removing oil and dirt. Meanwhile, contains powerful antioxidants, acidity, free radicals to prevent skin. Star fruit rich in fat and sugar in the blood that helps niacin can cause acne.
     
Inhibitors of zinc

Carambola primary healing of acne is, at its zinc content for those with acne to avoid eating foods that are inhibitors of zinc. They contain the complete absorption of zinc in the body and the benefits can occur. Those who suffer from acne should limit foods high in phytic acid, such as grain, high-level portions of two per day. The same applies to foods that are rich in soy protein.
     
Considerations

Importantly, the carambola is probably a cure for acne. The addition of other supplements such as zinc mono-methionine can reduce the risk of acne.

Do not eat the fruit of the star, if you have kidney disease, can have dangerous consequences.