Acne seems to hit everyone at one time or another. Acne is generally caused by skin cells becoming stuck in pores and plugging up the escape route of the natural oil “sebum.” A bacteria discovers the kind of environment it likes best, and the inflammation and irritation begin. Teens are the most notorious sufferers, but many adults are plagued by acne well into their 40s. Chocolate, long thought to be a cause of acne, has finally been cleared of any wrongdoing. It’s really not what you eat, but what you don’t absorb that is the problem. 

Fast food and a high-fat diet does contribute to acne. The skin needs proper nutrition, just like the rest of the body. When there are too many bad fats, and not enough vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, the skin shows the imbalance of nutrients through problems like excessively dry skin and poor skin color. Acne, eczema, and psoriasis can be the result of poor nutrition. Good fats, like the Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9, are essential for healthy skin.  Without an adequate supply of EFAs, the skin produces a form of sebum that is more irritating, and can result in more inflammation and dryness.  Acne is a reaction to the excessive dryness, when skin cells are not shed properly and clog pores.  

Too little vitamin A in the diet can show up as dry, flaky skin and/or scalp. The prescription medications that contain vitamin A are not the same form of vitamin A as that found in supplements. Prescriptions also provide extremely high doses of vitamin A, and are meant to be applied directly to the skin. Supplements of vitamin A, to be taken internally, are usually the form Beta Carotene. This form allows the body to turn the Beta Carotene into vitamin A  only as needed. Getting enough vitamin A is essential for wound healing and the production of sebum.

Excessively dry skin may also be a symptom of not enough Zinc in the diet. Several studies have reported that teen boys have low Zinc levels. This is due to Zinc being essential for the proper use of hormones in the body. The increase of hormones at puberty requires more Zinc, making teen boys more likely to be Zinc deficient at this time. Supplementing with Zinc can help. Zinc is also necessary for the skin to heal, and works to clear skin by taming oil production. Some reports say that Zinc may reduce the number of acne spots, and it may help those spots already on the  skin to clear sooner. Clinical studies of the effect of Zinc on acne suggested that the clearing of acne was gradual, and happened over several weeks. Since too much Zinc can interfere with the absorption of Copper, it is best to take a multivitamin to get the recommended Zinc and Copper together. Most nutrients that are necessary for good skin can be found in multivitamin and antioxidant formulas. Proper nutrition and optimal absorption of nutrients will not be an overnight cure for acne and other skin problems, but can contribute to overall health and wellness.

- Cronin, N.D. Mike. “Supplement Recommendations for Acne.” Whole Health MD Website. http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hc/resourceareas_supp/1,1442,423,00.html-        Bouchez, Colette. “Nutrients for Healthy Skin: Inside and Out.” Web MD Website. http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/102/106925.htm 
- Lininger Jr. DC, Schuyler W.; Gaby, MD, Alan R.; et al. “The Natural Pharmacy: Complete Home Reference to Natural Medicine.” Entries for “Acne” and “Zinc.” Pages 5 and 347, respectively.

BIOMETICS' complete line of advanced liquid nutritional supplements provide vital nutrients in a highly absorbable form.  CELL CARE contains the Essential Fatty Acids Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9.  BIO IMMUNE, BIO FUEL, CAL/MAG100, GET-GO-N PLUS, and PRO-FIT PLUS all contain Zinc.* 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.