Acne: Diet and acnegenesis

Abstract

Acne is a manifestation of hormonal overstimulation of the pilosebaceous units of genetically susceptible individuals. Endogenous reproductive and growth hormones, exogenous reproductive hormones, insulin and endogenous insulin-like growth hormone-1, sourced from and stimulated by dairy and high glycemic load foods, all appear to contribute to this overstimulation. A postulated molecular mechanism linking food and acne is reported and integrated into the clinical picture.

Keywords

• Acne
• dairy
• milk
• insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
• glycemic load
• androgen receptor