Acne
Is there a link between acne and milk products? No. While acne does seem to be more prevalent in Westernized countries, where people typically consume more milk products, acne does not appear to be due to any particular food.
The role of diet in the treatment and prevention of acne has been controversial for centuries.1 This skin problem is more likely due to a combination of other factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, stress and environmental pollutants.2
There are few studies to substantiate the belief that milk is associated with acne. Only two published studies look specifically at acne characteristics and milk product intake,3,4 and the studies were not well-designed. The first study looked at a large group of women and while they did find an association, there were several limitations in the study design. One limitation was that subjects were required to report their diet during high school, 10 years before the study, leaving much room for memory error.4
Part of the reason this myth persists may be research that shows differences in the prevalence of acne between rural, non-industrialized societies and Westernized countries. There are some ecological studies that suggest an association between the Western diet and acne. The suggestion is based on the observation that the incidence of acne increases as people from other countries adopt a Westernized diet, which typically includes milk products.5 However, researchers looking into this phenomenon have not been able to identify any links between specific dietary components and acne incidence.2,5-7 The most recent hypothesis is that increased acne prevalence may be due to changes in the glycemic index of the diet,8,9 or to general hyperinsulinemia5.
In the past, some health professionals recommended eliminating foods such as chocolate, high-fat foods, candy, carbonated beverages and milk products from the diet to reduce acne. Studies looking at these factors have not supported this advice. Now, most dermatologists do not recommend limiting intake of any specific food, including milk products, but rather continue to suggest that clients adhere to Canada’s Food Guide recommendations.
References
- Smith R and Mann N. Acne in adolescence: a role for nutrition? Nutrition and Dietetics. 2007; 64 (suppl. 4): S 147-S149.
- Wolf R et al. Acne and diet. Clin Dermatol, 2004. 22(5): p. 387-93.
- Adebamowo CA et al. Milk consumption and acne in adolescent girls. Dermatol Online J, 2006. 12(4): p. 1.
- Adebamowo CA et al. High school dietary dairy intake and teenage acne. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2005. 52(2): p. 207-14.
- Cordain L et al. Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization. Arch Dermatol, 2002. 138(12): p. 1584-90
- Michaelsson G. Diet and acne. Nutr Rev, 1981. 39(2): p. 104-6.
- Magin P et al. A systematic review of the evidence for ‘myths and misconceptions’ in acne management: diet, face-washing and sunlight. Fam Pract, 2005. 22(1): p. 62-70.
- Smith RN et al. A low glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patients: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr, 2007. 86(1): p. 107-15.
- Smith RN et al. The effect of a high-protein, low glycemic-load diet versus a conventional, high glycemic-load diet on biochemical parameters associated with acne vulgaris: a randomized, investigator-masked, controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2007. 57(2): p. 247-56.
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