Ive acne had about 8 years I would say, never cleared, except when I was on Accutane for a while, but came back. Im 21 now and my face is pretty much clear, but what is bad is my back acne. Usually cystic. I was wondering if you think the gluten-free diet would help me?

Im willing to try it, but I was looking for a list of foods to avoid and could not find one. I was wondering what foods I should avoid and how long it would take to see results possible? I think Im patient and disciplined enough to diet for a period of time will follow if the weather is this damn acne help. Especially during the summer!

So, thanks in advance. I just want to know what to avoid foods, or easier food I can eat. All fruit / vegetable ok? What about steak / chicken / Hamburg? Cheese? Thats the kind of things that I live off of it, cutting a break will not be too hard .

thanks Weather

Hmm…let's see anything that requires preservatives you may not want to eat on a daily basis. That means, unless it's organic or the ingredients are good w/ no bad preservatives (MSG, nitrates, BHT, etc), you want to stay away from canned, jarred, or boxed foods as best you can. You also want to avoid deli meats (they are the same as packaged deli meats), along with the processed meats that you get at a fast food establishment. Besides, if you were to prepared these foods yourself, using organic or non-organic meat sources, you will save a lot more money and have more food to eat.

Of course, I don't always do the above. Those that are probably most successfuly, as in 100% clear and have maintained or even gained weight on these diets, are the one's that plan. They are the ones that go to Co-ops to get (organic) fresh fruits and Veggies for less than at the grocery store. The are the ones purchasing organic meats or at the very least using fresh meats to prepare their meals with. If they are vegetarian or vegan, they are the one's consuming primarily only brown rice (need the fiber), over any other (gluten-free) grains. They are the ones that have time to cook daily, or prepare a week or month's worth of meals in advance. That right there is what helps you NOT purchase overpriced fast food on the run, even if they are salads.

With all of that in mind, I do still eat out at resturants, but now I am so much more aware of the fact that spending even $6 on a salad, I could have made a similar salad that would have served 2 – 6 people for that same price! Oh and when I think about the times I've spent $10 – $15 on a meal…wow no wonder myself and others say we don't have enough money to eat healthy. Ha ha. That extra money, could be better spent on fruits and vegetables, which you should be able to eat in abundance, especially the vegetables.

If you love pickles, you should purchase pickling cucumbers and make them yourself. I love vlassic, but even they don't compare to homemade (must get my friends mom's recipe). Jarred salsa's are usually presrvative free, but double check. Besides they contan peppers and oniions which have antibacterial and anti-parasitic properties so eating those freshly prepared has some advantages.

Oh yeah and definately no battered foods. They will usually have "flour" which means wheat for most of the population. Of course if it says it only uses rice or masa (corn) flour than it's ok. There are buffalo wings that don't have flour on them (TGI Fridays) and those are your best bet. Of course, you can always purchase these from a resturant (Wing Stop, Wing it), they are proably either fried or baked but you get more options for an occasional treat.

Now the problem with condiments is that they may have gluten mixed in, but you can usually tell. Food starch can be Barley, Corn, Wheat or other grains, and usually its stated. Sometimes it says Modified Food starch and when it does, I eat that (odds may be in my favor). When they say hydrolyzed vegetable protein, well I eat that too, but it's a greater odd that it's wheat. Sometimes they will specifically say Gluten Proteins though. The other problem with the condiments is the preservative content and sugar content. I rarely consume Ketchsup or Mustard these days (ha ha…rarely eat lettuce wrapped low-carb burgers), but they contain Sugar, Corn Syrup, and/or High Fructose Corn Syrup! So you want an organic or natural brand that doesn't add sugar or uses brown sugar at the very least. I do know that Delmonte only uses sugar, but Hienz uses the others and so, it's off limits.

As for the Glyemic Load, this is a better way of measuring than the Glycemic Index, the amount of glucose and how fast it will be metabolized in your system and spike your insulin levels. Some acne sufferers are sensitive to just sugar content and others are sensitive to the way certain foods affect their system & insulin levels, but not overall sugar content. That's why others can eat all the fruits and veggies they want (they have fiber) and not have problems. Where as others have found that some fruits were problematic for them. This may have to do with their sugar content, or ability to be an allergic or Intolerant rxn inducing food (you decide).

(Organic) Tortilla chips, potatos (chips), etc can be baked, not fried, but since you may not know which it is, I would judge based on the ingredients on the package. If it has transfats, than it's a no no. If it doesn't eat it and see what happens. In general fried food is frowned upon, but it's even worse when you consume fried food made with trans fats. Once in awhile is fine, but other than that, in regards to your skin, you will have to decide how much you can handle.

I honestly don't know about eggs, but the paleodiet says no to cooked eggs. You could test that out if you want. Eating them cooked for a 2 weeks and then eating them not cooked for 2 weeks and see how your skin behaves. Then again, I don't eat eggs very often, maybe 1 – 2x a month I'll have scrambled eggs or an omelet and other months not at all.

While there are gluten-free alcohols, in general these mess with your blood sugar levels (can lower it or raise it) and they also deplete your body of essential nutrients that are required for, proper hormonal metabolism, among other areas. So drink sparingly.

Help much?

Jarred Pickles

Cheese

Salsa

buffalo wings (batter may be bad/have gluten?)

Eggs (cooked)

Potatoes (baked, fried?)

thanks so much for the help

Also, I just wanted to list a few foods I eat all *** time, let me know if you think ***y're ok or can cause acne/hormonal imbalances:

Sliced turkey from a deli

Ground hamburger

Steak

Chicken (I don't get organic chicken)

Tortilla Chips

Any condiments such as salt, ketchup, garlic powder, italian dressing?

Any vegetables/fruits bad? I love fruits and veggies, not sure if I should avoid any?

I know alcohol is said to be bad, but is it mostly beer, or stuff like Vodka/Rum?

Thanks a lot, can't wait for your response. you've been very helpful

If you can't find a site, then you either aren't looking hard enough or don't know what to look for The best way to get a do and don't list is to look up in regards to Celiac's Disease, Coelic's Disease, or Gluten Enteropathy. That way you should come across some organizationst that provide Gluten-free lists (fast food, grocery, etc), Gluten-free manufacturers, as well as no-no lists. Some go all out with books and video packages. It was definately fun to play around and see what Gluten Free substitute foods were similar or superior (some weren't) to the "regular" stuff.

If you like pasta, as much as I do, you'll be happy to know that you can still have it. I never enjoyed regular pasta, but I love brown rice pasta. They also make other types of pasta from grains that are Gluten free. Just about anything you like, there is probably a gluten free version. Of course, I wouldn't indulge too much in case you are more of a Glycemic Load sensitive type.

Help much? If not there are lists on this board, and if that doesn't help then, I'll be around

Take care

thanks. I can't seem to find any sites that give a comprehensive list on what does–and doesn't– have gluten.

Hydrogenated/heated/refined oils
All dairy
cane sugar, artificial flavors, sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup
gluten
refined/denatured grains
alcohol
medications such as aspirins, antibiotics, and birth control
nonorganic meats, such as farm raised fish, and processed meats such as luncheon meats. Avoid pork, beef, and cooked eggs.
bad vitamins and fortified/enriched foods

hope for a reply soon, thanks

. I do have a sauna . it helps . but not undo .

heh heh… I know its sounds bizzare, but alot of people swear by it… even derms will recommend it. Didnt work for me, but everyone is different.

………I do have a sauna…. it helps….. but doesn't eliminate it….

I found a miracle cure for chest & backne… well for me anyways. I use pHisoderm Clear Confidence face wash (not the body wash) and a backbrush. Scrub gently and leave it on for about a minute before rinsing. My back was pretty bad before I starting using it and it cleared it up in less than a week.

Also you could try head and shoulders shampoo…. it works for alot of people.

I've never tried this, but it's an idea…

MANY THANKS

—————— ~ ~ Graysi

I have a friend who has had this condition for the longest and she's still trying different products from the derm. Try the ProActiv I'm sure you'll see results.

Good luck.

Also I have a setback for my back acne . what is the best? Please help!

guy