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Type 1 diabetes and acne

post #1 of 20
8/19/12 at 7:18pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys, I have got lots of mixed info on the subject, and was hoping some of you could weigh in on the topic.

Im 25 and have been a type 1 diabetic since I was nine. The past few years I have been extremely frustrating when it comes to trying to control my acne. Nothing too bad, but always just enough to piss me off.

I read on a few sites that it is probably hormonal acne, which makes sense, as insulin is a hormone... but I have an insulin pump and have pretty good control of my blood sugars. I also eat fairly healthy. Does anyone have an recommendations how I can try to get rid of the acne? Some way to balance the insulin hormone?

Maybe eating a very low amount of sugar and carbs? (less insulin would be needed)

Any help or things to research would be awesome. There is just so much " it could be" stuff online.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 20
8/19/12 at 8:14pm
Would HIGHLY recommend speaking to your endocrinologist about this, amigo.
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post #3 of 20
8/20/12 at 6:52am
Thread Starter 
I'm actually going in a few weeks. I was just seeing if anyone on here had info on the matter, as there are a few other diabetics on the forum.
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post #4 of 20
8/20/12 at 7:13am
I'm a Type 1 and I still have some problems at 30. Never really tracked down a link between the two. It would not surprise me if some combination of higher insulin levels and higher tissue glucose levels contributed. I know that increased levels of sugar in tissue is what causes diabetics to have more problems with infection, seems plausible that acne bacteria could be doing the same thing.

I don't have any solid research for ya though.
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post #5 of 20
8/22/12 at 7:57am
im 29, and just hit my 10th year as a type 1 diabetic. I get the occasional pimple, nothing major, but like you said...enough to piss me off. Ive never heard of a correlation between the two...ill ask my endo next time im there though. if you get any info let us know.
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post #6 of 20
8/22/12 at 11:59am
I thought researcher Dr. Cordain's has a nice book about diets and acne called The Dietary Cure for Acne. He found some of the more common foods causing pimples were dairy, wheat, nuts, and chocolate if I remember correctly. If that is the case, you might try eating a paleo diet for a short while to see if that helps. Recall this article about that idea:

"Got acne? Go primal"

excerpt:
Quote:
Acne is unheard of in populations eating a ‘primal’ or ‘paleolithic’ diet. This has caused some researchers, for example Loren Cordain (author of The Paleo Diet), to question what factors might be at play here. One prominent theory concerns the impact of eating carbohydrates that tend to be disruptive for blood sugar levels. These foods stimulate, among other things, the secretion of insulin and something known as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) that induce changes in the skin that are conducive to the development of acne. Not only that, but a low glycaemic load (GL) diet (one which will tend to lower insulin and IGF-1 levels) was found to brings benefits to people with acne. You can read more about this in a previous post from 2007.

Very recently, the journal Acta Dermato-Venereologica published a study which again tested the potential of a low GL diet as a treatment for acne [1]. According to the summary of this study, eating a low-GL diet led to a significant reduction in acne, as well as evidence under the microscope of reduced sebaceous gland size and lower levels of inflammation....

The rest of the article is at:

http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/03/20/got-acne-go-primal/
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post #7 of 20
8/22/12 at 12:07pm

well there are a number of products that can help your acne.  the obvious one is salicylic acid which is found in most acne control products, and 2% is a good amount.  for bacterial acne, go for a benzoyl peroxide treatment, which comes in 2.5, 5 or 10% values.  Oxy products contain this ingredient. it's not necessary to use the highest value as long as you rub it over the areas where you have acne and do it routinely to kill the bacteria.  at first your skin may not tolerate the BP b/c it can be quite harsh, so build up to it and always use a sunscreen.  

 

also if nothing works, consult your doctor to see if you would be a good candidate for accutane.  this medication stops the pores from oversecreting oils and it definitely works, but as you may well know, it has the potential for some pretty bad side effects.  best of luck to you.

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post #8 of 20
8/22/12 at 12:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunnydale View Post

If that is the case, you might try eating a paleo diet for a short while to see if that helps.

ive wanted to try this out....have you done the diet?
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post #9 of 20
8/22/12 at 12:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DerekS View Post

ive wanted to try this out....have you done the diet?


Doing it on and off a few times since it's what Crossfit pushes. It's extremely hard to follow. Even more challenging do to the fact that no one can even clearly define what is acceptable on it and what is not. You give up too much for it to be a permanent lifestyle change, if you enjoy the taste of good food.

It's also based on a lot of sketchy science, but then so are most fad diets.
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post #10 of 20
8/22/12 at 12:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JMRouse View Post

Doing it on and off a few times since it's what Crossfit pushes. It's extremely hard to follow. Even more challenging do to the fact that no one can even clearly define what is acceptable on it and what is not. You give up too much for it to be a permanent lifestyle change, if you enjoy the taste of good food.
It's also based on a lot of sketchy science, but then so are most fad diets.

hmm. how do you feel?

not too long ago i gave up milks, sugars, breads, soda, and processed foods. i lost almost 20 lbs in a little over 2 weeks...and actually felt great after the first week. but dammit i just love chips ahoy cookies and chocolate ice cream. shog[1].gif
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post #11 of 20
8/22/12 at 1:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DerekS View Post

hmm. how do you feel?

not too long ago i gave up milks, sugars, breads, soda, and processed foods. i lost almost 20 lbs in a little over 2 weeks...and actually felt great after the first week. but dammit i just love chips ahoy cookies and chocolate ice cream. shog[1].gif

I'm not following the diet right now, but last time I dropped around 15 pounds. Did I feel any better? I guess, but that likely had more to do with the physiological effect of being in better shape then not eating bread.

Here's the deal, the diet is so restrictive that it becomes hard to over eat your caloric intake. You mostly focus on meats and veggies. No milk or cheeses, peanuts grains, soy, etc. Not even supposed to eat much fruit and only certain kinds of beans in moderation. Stay strict on that for a few months and anyone would drop some weight.

EDIT: You also get a brief stage of a weird cotton mouth after the first week or two. Lasts a couple days. Atkin's diets do same to people. I typically get a headache too, but don't worry it goes away.
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post #12 of 20
8/22/12 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DerekS View Post


hmm. how do you feel?
not too long ago i gave up milks, sugars, breads, soda, and processed foods. i lost almost 20 lbs in a little over 2 weeks...and actually felt great after the first week. but dammit i just love chips ahoy cookies and chocolate ice cream. shog[1].gif

 

i don't eat any of that either, and i replaced milk with soy milk, soda/juice with selzter.  as far as ice cream goes, i know the pint says 4 servings but i finish it in one sitting.  so knowing my weaknesses, i never buy junk food for the home and that's how i stay healthy.  all those starches/sugars flowing through your veins, thickening the blood making you all tired and wreaking havoc on your pancreas.  your body does not need such a concentrated source of energy (unless you're outside all day hunting wild game).  just say no to the cookie.

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post #13 of 20
8/22/12 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JMRouse View Post

EDIT: You also get a brief stage of a weird cotton mouth after the first week or two. Lasts a couple days. Atkin's diets do same to people. I typically get a headache too, but don't worry it goes away.
yep. i got both of those. it was awful. but only lasted a couple days at most.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JunyaYamamoto View Post

i don't eat any of that either, and i replaced milk with soy milk, soda/juice with selzter.  as far as ice cream goes, i know the pint says 4 servings but i finish it in one sitting.  so knowing my weaknesses, i never buy junk food for the home and that's how i stay healthy.  all those starches/sugars flowing through your veins, thickening the blood making you all tired and wreaking havoc on your pancreas.  your body does not need such a concentrated source of energy (unless you're outside all day hunting wild game).  just say no to the cookie.

i typically do my shopping on saturday for the following week, and if i buy good food, i eat it and dont eat junk. problem is at work. that damn vending machine.
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post #14 of 20
8/22/12 at 1:31pm

i would get little snack sized portions of nuts for the job.  those are perfect to sate your appetite until dinner.  also drink lots of fluids, bc they help fill you up and keeps your skin hydrated.

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post #15 of 20
8/22/12 at 1:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JunyaYamamoto View Post

i would get little snack sized portions of nuts for the job.  those are perfect to sate your appetite until dinner.  also drink lots of fluids, bc they help fill you up and keeps your skin hydrated.

good advice. i think i need to plan better. make a decent comprehensive list for the grocery store. Maybe allow myself a cookie every few days. just not an entire package. ive always been horrible with portion control in every aspect of my life...booze, drugs, food, women, etc.
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