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Should we speak on the link between sugar and acne?
Where are all my biology nerds at?
Where are all my biology nerds at?
Let’s go!!
The main link between sugar and acne is a hormone produced by our pancreas known as
INSULIN
The main link between sugar and acne is a hormone produced by our pancreas known as
INSULIN
Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by beta cells of the pancreas.
It regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins by promoting the absorption of glucose from the blood into liver, fat and skeletal muscle cells.
It regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins by promoting the absorption of glucose from the blood into liver, fat and skeletal muscle cells.
Anytime we eat carbohydrates (sugar), our blood glucose levels rise, triggering a cascade of chemical reactions that result in insulin being released from the beta cells of our pancreas.
Wherever insulin goes, inflammation is soon behind.
This is where we consider insulin’s role in acne
This is where we consider insulin’s role in acne
hyperinsulinemia (excess levels of insulin in the blood) elicits a hormonal response that supports unregulated epithelial growth and increased sebum secretion.
Remember increased sebum (oil) = acne
Remember increased sebum (oil) = acne
research suggests that this condition triggers a hormonal cascade and endocrine response.
This triggers unregulated growth and keratinization of epithelial cells, as well as hormonally (androgen) mediated sebum secretion.
This triggers unregulated growth and keratinization of epithelial cells, as well as hormonally (androgen) mediated sebum secretion.
In layman’s terms:
Excess insulin levels lead to our cells becoming “thicker” and more relevant to our skin, increases androgen mediated oil levels in our skin.
The perfect storm!
Excess insulin levels lead to our cells becoming “thicker” and more relevant to our skin, increases androgen mediated oil levels in our skin.
The perfect storm!
Now, let’s talk specifically on androgens, as they play a critical role within the development of Acne Vulgaris.
Androgens are a group of hormones that play a role in male traits and reproductive activity. They are present in BOTH male and females, but expressed more in males.
The most popular one is Testosterone
The most popular one is Testosterone
High insulin levels trigger the ovaries to produce more testosterone.
In excess levels, This can also interfere with the development of follicles, preventing normal ovulation
In excess levels, This can also interfere with the development of follicles, preventing normal ovulation
Women with PCOS are often insulin resistant.
In fact, this resistance is thought to be the cause of PCOS
This resistance triggers an over production of testosterone
In fact, this resistance is thought to be the cause of PCOS
This resistance triggers an over production of testosterone
This excess testosterone is the reason why some women with PCOS have symptoms of excess androgens, such as darks hair on the face and belly
ANYWAY.
Testosterone is a steroid that triggers acne by over stimulating sebum (oil) glands.
Our sebum glands secrete oils which can block our pores and cause acne
Testosterone is a steroid that triggers acne by over stimulating sebum (oil) glands.
Our sebum glands secrete oils which can block our pores and cause acne
Ordinarily, sebum functions to:
-reduce water loss from the skin’s surface
-protects the skin from invading pathogens
- lubricates the skin to prevent friction
All of which are advantageous to our skin.
-reduce water loss from the skin’s surface
-protects the skin from invading pathogens
- lubricates the skin to prevent friction
All of which are advantageous to our skin.
Problems arise when sebum is produced in EXCESS.
This, mixed with commensal bacteria and other pathogens can clog pores and cause acne
This, mixed with commensal bacteria and other pathogens can clog pores and cause acne
Here is the publication from which I cited these findings from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4565837/
Have a read, have a gander, look at the science
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4565837/
Have a read, have a gander, look at the science
Main thread take homes:
Sugar
insulin inflammation
Sugar
insulin inflammation
Insulin resistance increasing testosterone excess sebum
increasing testosterone excess sebum
Don’t shoot the messenger lol I literally am just quoting science
Read the publication for yourself
Read the publication for yourself
