amo
09-06-2005, 03:43 PM
Hello,
Okay, so in my ever present struggle against acne, I have been searching all over these boards to try and find something to help me. I am using some topical cleansers that are helping, but I would like to help from the inside as well. I am currently taking SAM-e, and I've found it helpful for my mood, but not so much for the acne. But that's okay! :)
Anyway, I stumbled across an old thread on this board about vits and supps for acne, one poster recommended this:
Vit. A 24,000 iu (reduce to 16,000 iu after one month)
Vit. C 3,000 mg
Vit. B 50 complex
Evening Primrose 3,000 mg
zinc w/ copper 30 mg (before bed)
Echinacea 15 drops in water 3x a day.
Anyone have any opinions on this?
Also, is capsulized Echinacea as effective as liquid?
Thank you in advance!
Okay, so in my ever present struggle against acne, I have been searching all over these boards to try and find something to help me. I am using some topical cleansers that are helping, but I would like to help from the inside as well. I am currently taking SAM-e, and I've found it helpful for my mood, but not so much for the acne. But that's okay! :)
Anyway, I stumbled across an old thread on this board about vits and supps for acne, one poster recommended this:
Vit. A 24,000 iu (reduce to 16,000 iu after one month)
Vit. C 3,000 mg
Vit. B 50 complex
Evening Primrose 3,000 mg
zinc w/ copper 30 mg (before bed)
Echinacea 15 drops in water 3x a day.
Anyone have any opinions on this?
Also, is capsulized Echinacea as effective as liquid?
Thank you in advance!
Sponsor
DaVinci
09-07-2005, 11:16 AM
I'll assume you've tried many many things including the latest medicines and creams. The thing about acne, it's your body telling you something and instead of listening to it, people often try to cover it up or suppress it. These products may work for awhile but eventually your body will resist and break out again/give another clue that somethings up - hives, hair loss,spots etc.
Many "natural" docs believe acne is caused by food allergies or hypersensitivity, therefore all refined carbohydrates and processed foods should be eliminated. As well as high-fat foods; foods high in iodine should be eliminated for those that are iodine sensitive. Limiting/eliminating cow's milk consumption due to its high hormone content.
Back to the bod, clues you may be deficient in vit A(other than the obvious):
Numerous bumps on arms/legs- on the side and back of the upper arm mostly - usually disappear with addition of vitamin A, sometimes B complex & EFAs are needed too. If bumps are numerous - enzymes are helpful - these help in the absorption of vitamin A and EFAs.
Zinc deficiency-Nails breaking/chipping/splitting/not growing: check out low stomach acid. Also addition of calcium, zinc and EFAs.
White spots nails: white spots vanish with addition of extra zinc.
EFA deficiency:
Dandruff - often an indication that this person is eating too much refined sugar, eliminating sugar will help immensely with dandruff and even giddy behaviours. Also this is an clue to insufficient essential fatty acids. A well balanced daily vitamin with a good B complex is important too.
Excess earwax - Again probably not enough essential fatty acids.
B12 deficiency/malabsorption-slightly yellow cast to skin.
Heard echinacea inhibits inflammation, promotes wound healing, stimulates immune sys and kills bacteria(probably good on a short term basis)
Also recommend vit E and a probiotic.
Here's to a more beautiful and healthy body! :)
Many "natural" docs believe acne is caused by food allergies or hypersensitivity, therefore all refined carbohydrates and processed foods should be eliminated. As well as high-fat foods; foods high in iodine should be eliminated for those that are iodine sensitive. Limiting/eliminating cow's milk consumption due to its high hormone content.
Back to the bod, clues you may be deficient in vit A(other than the obvious):
Numerous bumps on arms/legs- on the side and back of the upper arm mostly - usually disappear with addition of vitamin A, sometimes B complex & EFAs are needed too. If bumps are numerous - enzymes are helpful - these help in the absorption of vitamin A and EFAs.
Zinc deficiency-Nails breaking/chipping/splitting/not growing: check out low stomach acid. Also addition of calcium, zinc and EFAs.
White spots nails: white spots vanish with addition of extra zinc.
EFA deficiency:
Dandruff - often an indication that this person is eating too much refined sugar, eliminating sugar will help immensely with dandruff and even giddy behaviours. Also this is an clue to insufficient essential fatty acids. A well balanced daily vitamin with a good B complex is important too.
Excess earwax - Again probably not enough essential fatty acids.
B12 deficiency/malabsorption-slightly yellow cast to skin.
Heard echinacea inhibits inflammation, promotes wound healing, stimulates immune sys and kills bacteria(probably good on a short term basis)
Also recommend vit E and a probiotic.
Here's to a more beautiful and healthy body! :)
amo
09-07-2005, 04:38 PM
Good info...Thank you so much.
I am not following this routine as of yet, just curious.
I have tried a ton of topical treatments, and I am as sure as anything that it is primarily hormonal. Every time I have been on birth control, my skin has been virtually clear. Occational breakouts. I went off the pill because I was a little uncomfortable being on it for a long time. But I can't deal with this acne thing, it's wrecking my self esteem.
Diet is a bit of an issue with me. I am lactose intolerant, but not severely. I don't drink milk, eat cream or cheese. I can tolerate butter on toast or in baked goods, and I eat yogurt (for the calcium, and because I like it).
I try to eat healthfully, and I do fairly well. Carbohydrates are a problem for me.
I am a dancer, and I need lots of carbs for energy. I burn thru calories like they're nothing. And I do have a sugar problem, and I have tried cutting out sugar...I think I made it for about two weeks :) I didn't notice a change in my skin, but maybe it needs more time than that...
I am just so hungry all the time, and dancing is like sprinting...you burn thru that carb fuel so quick. I just have trouble balancing my diet. Maybe I should see a nutritionist or something.
Anyway...I'm just blabbing at this point.
Thanks again for the info and if anyone else has any thoughts, I am always happy to hear them!
I am not following this routine as of yet, just curious.
I have tried a ton of topical treatments, and I am as sure as anything that it is primarily hormonal. Every time I have been on birth control, my skin has been virtually clear. Occational breakouts. I went off the pill because I was a little uncomfortable being on it for a long time. But I can't deal with this acne thing, it's wrecking my self esteem.
Diet is a bit of an issue with me. I am lactose intolerant, but not severely. I don't drink milk, eat cream or cheese. I can tolerate butter on toast or in baked goods, and I eat yogurt (for the calcium, and because I like it).
I try to eat healthfully, and I do fairly well. Carbohydrates are a problem for me.
I am a dancer, and I need lots of carbs for energy. I burn thru calories like they're nothing. And I do have a sugar problem, and I have tried cutting out sugar...I think I made it for about two weeks :) I didn't notice a change in my skin, but maybe it needs more time than that...
I am just so hungry all the time, and dancing is like sprinting...you burn thru that carb fuel so quick. I just have trouble balancing my diet. Maybe I should see a nutritionist or something.
Anyway...I'm just blabbing at this point.
Thanks again for the info and if anyone else has any thoughts, I am always happy to hear them!
Blue194
09-08-2005, 02:26 AM
amo, the best product i'v tried for acne is doxycycline.
You got to get it prescribed from a derm.
Get the regular version. It costs 25 dollars at pharmacist.
Dont get the Dorf version
The dorf version which is basically the same thing as the regular version costs 176 dollars.
Doxycycline totally cleared me of my acne.
Its also great for body acne.
You got to get it prescribed from a derm.
Get the regular version. It costs 25 dollars at pharmacist.
Dont get the Dorf version
The dorf version which is basically the same thing as the regular version costs 176 dollars.
Doxycycline totally cleared me of my acne.
Its also great for body acne.
amo
09-08-2005, 10:19 AM
Thanks Blue! I've heard of doxycycline before on the acne boards...Is it an antibiotic?
I don't know how I feel about taking antibiotics...I guess if they work, it'd be worth it.
I just worry about doing any harm for the sake of clear skin.
I don't know how I feel about taking antibiotics...I guess if they work, it'd be worth it.
I just worry about doing any harm for the sake of clear skin.
Hersheykiss
09-08-2005, 04:23 PM
Please do not take antibiotics! :eek: I did that for several years. It did clear up my skin but left me with a terrible case of candida overgrowth and numerous other health problems. An antibiotic should never be used for skin. :nono: The 2 biggest healers for me have been digestive enzymes and a whole house water filter. Not sure what kind of acne you have but mine consisted of few breakouts that would literally last for like a month and just not go away. As soon as it would a new one formed. I feel your pain. I was in my 30's dealing with this! If it tends to be the jawline area this can be a hormone imbalance which EFA's are good for. I still have to be very careful about what products I use on my face and hair products BUT if I get a breakout its a very small bump that disappears in 1-2 days. Much easier to deal with. ;). I am going to give evening primrose oil a shot for my hair but don't know if its a good idea for you. Depends on how well you are digesting fats. The way to know if you're not is if you eat something high fat (such as peanut butter or popcorn) does your face appear oily a few hours after? If so you need an enzyme with a very high lipase count. You will need at least 6 months before noticing a big change with using enzymes. If it happens to be that you just have crappy water, it will be immediate! Good luck and let us know...
P.S. Eating a lot of sugar and white flour products will just make you hungrier.
P.S. Eating a lot of sugar and white flour products will just make you hungrier.
amo
09-08-2005, 11:45 PM
Thanks for the response, Hersheykiss!
Yeah, I don't think I want to do the antibiotic...makes me too nervous, and I don't want to mess with the rest of my body (it works pretty well :))
Maybe back on birth control, but I don't know if I want to do that either...but I know it works for me.
My acne is mostly tons of smaller bump on my forehead that tend to itch, and then for awhile I was getting a bunch (like 5 at a time) of large cysts on my cheeks. Those have stopped completely (thank goodness!)
I do get hormonal breakouts on my chin/jaw line the week before my period.
I am still contemplating my vitamin routine...
Diet-wise: I do eat too much sugar, but I don't eat much white flour. I eat whole grains almost exclusively, spelt bread, oatmeal/granola...I don't like pasta.
I am going to pay close attention to my diet, and how my body feels after I eat. Ideally, I want to be able to eat as large a variety of things as possible...I was vegan for a long time, and man was it difficult. And my skin was a mess, too.
It's all about that delicate balance, I suppose.
EFA's are good, this I know. I will probably choose a total EFA supplement over Evening Primrose...I've been adding ground flaxseed to my yogurt in the morning. Probably isn't enough to do anything, but I think It's tasty!
Take care...
Yeah, I don't think I want to do the antibiotic...makes me too nervous, and I don't want to mess with the rest of my body (it works pretty well :))
Maybe back on birth control, but I don't know if I want to do that either...but I know it works for me.
My acne is mostly tons of smaller bump on my forehead that tend to itch, and then for awhile I was getting a bunch (like 5 at a time) of large cysts on my cheeks. Those have stopped completely (thank goodness!)
I do get hormonal breakouts on my chin/jaw line the week before my period.
I am still contemplating my vitamin routine...
Diet-wise: I do eat too much sugar, but I don't eat much white flour. I eat whole grains almost exclusively, spelt bread, oatmeal/granola...I don't like pasta.
I am going to pay close attention to my diet, and how my body feels after I eat. Ideally, I want to be able to eat as large a variety of things as possible...I was vegan for a long time, and man was it difficult. And my skin was a mess, too.
It's all about that delicate balance, I suppose.
EFA's are good, this I know. I will probably choose a total EFA supplement over Evening Primrose...I've been adding ground flaxseed to my yogurt in the morning. Probably isn't enough to do anything, but I think It's tasty!
Take care...