For WellBeing
Dr. Hyman and Dr. Elizabeth Bohman on The Truth About Acne
Acne is the leading skin condition affecting teens experiencing hormonal shifts due to puberty as well as adults in ever increasing number across the U.S. What is understood about acne both culturally and through conventional medicine has relegated the treatment of the condition to a combination of corrected personal hygiene through the use of face washes and exfoliants containing salicylic acid and/or benzoyl peroxide, and topical antibiotic creams that attempt to target surface layers of the skin by stripping them of oil and bacteria. Oral medications are also common yet less accessible. Accutane, a derivative of vitamin A that can be very effective, stops the body's production of oil in the sebaceous glands to clear pores. All of these remedies for acne deal with the symptoms of acne and help alleviate some problems in the short term. But in the long term, skin becomes damaged from excessive use. The underlying cause of the acne is not being "fixed" but suppressed until medication use is terminated- at which point the acne may return even more cystic than before.
Functional science takes a look at acne from the root cause, inside the body rather than conventional medicine's outside-in approach. With this method, patients are able to gain more knowledge about the underlying cause of their acne and adjust their lifestyle through dietary changes to target those specific problem areas. This approach stresses the importance of what we put into our bodies, and that what we put in reflects how we look on the outside. The underlying cause of acne is very individual yet always arises from an internal problem.
In Dr. Hyman's podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Bohman breaks down the variety of internal factors that can contribute to the development of acne at varying levels depending on the individual. Generally, the presence of acne can be traced to problems with gut health. Foods that are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates result in a spike in blood sugar and insulin. This spike causes a condition called follicular hyperkeratosis. In this state, skin cells within the follicles don't turn over as well as they should, so they get stuck in the skin. This causes inflammation and then acne as a result. High levels of insulin causes higher fluctuations in the skin's ability to turnover and regenerate cells, resulting in more turbulent breakouts.
Functional science takes a look at acne from the root cause, inside the body rather than conventional medicine's outside-in approach. With this method, patients are able to gain more knowledge about the underlying cause of their acne and adjust their lifestyle through dietary changes to target those specific problem areas. This approach stresses the importance of what we put into our bodies, and that what we put in reflects how we look on the outside. The underlying cause of acne is very individual yet always arises from an internal problem.
In Dr. Hyman's podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Bohman breaks down the variety of internal factors that can contribute to the development of acne at varying levels depending on the individual. Generally, the presence of acne can be traced to problems with gut health. Foods that are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates result in a spike in blood sugar and insulin. This spike causes a condition called follicular hyperkeratosis. In this state, skin cells within the follicles don't turn over as well as they should, so they get stuck in the skin. This causes inflammation and then acne as a result. High levels of insulin causes higher fluctuations in the skin's ability to turnover and regenerate cells, resulting in more turbulent breakouts.
Dr. Bohman stresses different manifestations in which the body reacts to certain foods. The overall health microbiome and immune system as a result of or diets are directly connected to the foods that we eat. Dairy is exceptionally high in hormones and encourages growth in acne in many people. This is not to be confused with an allergy to lactose, rather a sensitivity that many people who suffer from acne have. Based on her personal journey dealing with Acne, The Founder, Alana Sandel, recommends eliminating foods high in added sugar such as high fructose corn syrup and dairy from your diet as the first step to help clear acne. In most cases, this has been the most prevalent causation for breakouts.
A stool test helps Doctors get an idea of what is going on with the microbiome. These tests look at all levels of good and bad bacteria and check for imbalances, acute infections and dysbiosis. Are there any existing parasitic activity and inflammatory markers present? In the event of overgrowths of bacteria and unwanted yeast, which can be detected by stool tests, work can be done to rebalance the activity of the gut which decreases inflammation in acne, and clearing it in its entirety as well.
Using a functional approach to clear acne using an inside out framework, patients are not only achieving better looking skin, but also improving their overall health as well in the process.
A stool test helps Doctors get an idea of what is going on with the microbiome. These tests look at all levels of good and bad bacteria and check for imbalances, acute infections and dysbiosis. Are there any existing parasitic activity and inflammatory markers present? In the event of overgrowths of bacteria and unwanted yeast, which can be detected by stool tests, work can be done to rebalance the activity of the gut which decreases inflammation in acne, and clearing it in its entirety as well.
Using a functional approach to clear acne using an inside out framework, patients are not only achieving better looking skin, but also improving their overall health as well in the process.
Check out the podcast episode with Dr. Hyman and Dr. Elizabeth Bohman for the in depth conversation here.