Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Since starting pretty strict paleo a few weeks ago my forehead acne has almost completely cleared up but paleo seems to have no effect on blemishes around my mouth and between chin and cheek. I saw today on Paleo Pepper she had acne in a parentheses shape around her mouth and I get it there too and she suspected it was because of high testosterone. Background: I'm 17, female, approx 5'6", 122 lbs with an empty stomach/bladder/gut (BMI of 20). I have always been a late bloomer and got my first period in January. I'm still waiting for my second one haha. I'm an A cup with pretty much no hips. So obviously not estrogen dominant. Perhaps a year ago I had multiple cups of spearmint/peppermint tea a day as an experiment and while it did make me noticeably less oily I don't remember it having any effect on my acne. My acne used to be almost entirely on my forehead but has slowly shifted to where it's mostly on my lower face and my forehead is much better than it used to be even on SAD (ie I used to break out on my temples allll the time, now they are always clear). I have no explanation for this. So...any thoughts? Should I actively try to lower testosterone/increase estrogen? Also, I have never taken any birth control pills or anything to screw up my hormones more than they would otherwise. here's the link to the paleo pepper post: http://paleopepper.com/2011/05/pcos-and-acne-update/ edit: I'm also supplementing with fish oil (4 capsules a day), vitamin D (10,000 IU/day) and of the past few days zinc (50 mg/day).

edited Mar 7 2012 at 4:58

asked Mar 6 2012 at 3:58

RR
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Stabby · Answer 1 · 2012-03-06 05:40:49Z UTC

Just throwing it out there that I know a handful of people who got rid of most of their acne with a pantethine supplement (not B5, its metabolite pantethine). I have heard explanations like the pantethine helps to clear excess sebum, which makes sense since its main job in the body is lipid metabolism.

This is purely anecdotal but it is pretty obvious for the people who have tried it that I know. One person got rid of acne that she would only get during menstruation, so it might work for you.

Tina K · Answer 2 · 2012-03-06 05:04:17Z UTC

Androgen-related acne in women tends to congregate along the jawline, not around the mouth.

Any dietary change you make will not have an immediate impact on your skin. Stick with it for 2-3 months before you call it a loss. I see many people saying they have this magical event happen when they cut out X food or add Y supplement, but dermal inflammation reduction (which occurs in large part due to reduction in matrix metalloproteinases--these take time to ebb to a lower level) and turnover is absolutely not instantaneous. Generally think in magnitudes of 2-3 months, and that's closer to correct.

Lastly, what kind of topical stuff are you schmearing on your skin? You might have a perioral dermatitis, which in women is notoriously linked to sunscreens and lotions. Is it small bumps, slightly scaly and itchy, or what?

Louise · Answer 3 · 2012-03-06 21:57:16Z UTC

Eating paleo didn't improve my acne (37 yr old female). I went to a naturopath to get some testing done to try to figure out what is going on. He did an in-office zinc test and I learned it was very low, even though I was taking daily supplements! He gave me an easily absorbable zinc supplement, which I take twice per day. In three months, I've gone from probably a dozen deep cystic lesions on my chin, jaws and cheeks to clear skin, even during PMS. Fingers crossed - I hope this is for real! I've also had some success with a 2% benzoyl peroxide solution in the past, though it never stopped the PMS-related breakouts. (Acne.org) I'm also getting a hormone test done which may shed some light on causation. Acne causes are different for everyone, but I must say I'm surprised by the effect zinc seems to be having on me. Try a naturopath. Also, you might check out Chris Kresser's podcast on the connection between the gut and skin. That said, you're still young so you might clear up naturally as you get older.

VB · Answer 4 · 2012-03-07 06:09:01Z UTC

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Just a few suggestions, try them and see if they work for you.

Eat only strictly Paleo. No cheating.
No gluten in any shape or form. That means lipstick, skin cream, toothpaste, mascara.
No grains. Not even gluten free grains like rice. They change the gut flora.
No dairy period. None. Not even butter. Unless you personally know a guy who has the cow/goat and you know how this cow is treated and what it eats.
Lots and lots of pro-biotics. Raw sauerkraut. Kimchi with every meal for at least one month. Good pro-biotic supplement every day.
Sleep 8 hours (or more) each night. Go to bed at a regular time every evening.
No sugar including fruit for a while. None.

edited Mar 7 2012 at 6:09

answered Mar 6 2012 at 21:13

VB
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	1. I am very good about not cheating. If I ingested it and it's not paleo it was most likely against my knowledge. 2. how can you tell if there's gluten in products? I never considered gluten in my makeup etc. 3/4. see 1 5. Most of the time I have Bubbie's sauerkraut with breakfast. I also occasionally have kombucha and am working on making my own. I'll look into more probiotics. 6. my sleep is usually pretty good (ie 7-8 hours). I'm bad about going to bed at a regular time, though. homework gets in the way. 7. I haven't had any fruit since I started paleo with the exception of a few berries – RR Mar 7 2012 at 4:46
	Wow! You are doing fabulous! You are doing better than me (about cheating) :) The only thing I would change is adding more probiotics. Check this website for brand names. Another thing I am a little concerned is what facial cream are you using? I stopped using any - I don't need it after going Paleo. – VB Mar 7 2012 at 6:13
	Once your face clears up and the gut flora is replenished, you can add things back on - fruit, dairy (if you want), other things. – VB Mar 7 2012 at 6:14
	any specific probiotic you would recommend? I know my local target has acidophillus (spelling?), would that help you think? – RR Mar 8 2012 at 4:45
	I wish I knew a good one! I am allergic to almost everything and once I had a horrible stomach ache after taking a probiotic, so I am no help in this. I am making sauerkraut myself because I do not know what else to do. My body is very sensitive to what I eat. The moment I eat something wrong - it always tells me. You know, try eating kimchi (make sure there is no MSG in it). Try making one yourself, it is very easy. Kimchi is very tasty, you get addicted to it, and I guaranty it will help you to clear up your face a little! If not, you can come back and kill me. Honestly. – VB Mar 8 2012 at 16:07

eimearreclaimedhealth · Answer 5 · 2012-03-17 22:41:44Z UTC

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Have you been tested for polycystic ovaries? It would be unusual is someone lean, but not unheard of.

answered Mar 17 2012 at 22:41

eimearreclaimedhealth
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Chow · Answer 6 · 2012-03-17 22:16:33Z UTC

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paleo didnt work for me, just getting a face transplant LAWLZ

answered Mar 17 2012 at 22:16

Chow
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I downvoted your comment LAWLZ – PrimalCG Mar 17 2012 at 22:29

sigh...trolls.... – RR Mar 19 2012 at 3:27

Acne and high testosterone/low estrogen---what will help?

6 Answers