In addition to avoiding refined carbohydrates and highly processed foods, a recent report suggests that you may also think about how much milk you are consuming.
Acne may be caused in large part by the male hormone 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, which turns on oil-making cells in the skin of both men and women. Cow’s milk contains 5 alpha-reduced steroids and other hormones that can be broken down to dihydrotestosterone. The enzymes necessary to convert the hormones to dihydrotestosterone are present in your oil glands.
These hormones in cow’s milk are particularly high in pregnant cows, which make up 75%-90% of the dairy milk market. High milk intake has been shown to increase blood levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). High IGF-1 levels are believed to promote acne through hyperkeratinization, a multiplication of skin cells associated with acne.
In a study of 6,500 adolescent offspring from the Nurses’ Health Study II, results showed a significant positive association between milk consumption and acne. The relationship was independent of the fat content of the milk.
Other foods with a positive association included milk-based instant breakfast drinks, sherbet, cottage cheese and cream cheese, but not other dairy foods or foods such as french fries, chocolate candy or pizza.
According to Dr. William Danby, a dermatologist who spoke at the Atlantic Dermatological Conference, “Milk is designed to make things grow. Human beings are the only animal to continue to drink milk beyond infancy, and it is not even the milk of our own species. Young growing humans need milk from pregnant cows just as much as young growing cows need milk from pregnant humans - not at all.”
Many women attempt to minimize PCOS symptoms by reducing the carbohydrate content of their diet and by increasing dairy consumption, since dairy is high in protein and has no carbs. This article suggests that milk products may not give you the results you're looking for. We suggest you increase consumption of fresh vegetables and get some of your animal protein from fish, poultry and egg whites. Refined grain and dairy products are ubiquitous and convenient. But they are not necessarily healthy.
Source: Mahoney D, Got Milk? Got Acne? New Research Suggests Link, Family Practice News, June 1, 2004:54.
This is interesting, thanks for posting. Lately my hormonal acne has been worse, and I've also been drinking more milk. Never occurred to me they were related.
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Thanks for the article. Is the solution to drink ORGANIC milk that is supposedly hormone-free? That's what I drink anyway....
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UGH! Another one bites the dust. I just don't know what to consume anymore, well at least anything appealing. All I drink is water and milk occasionally. I even did the water with the citrus/tea packages but stopped that. I guess it is water only. I HATE diabetes and pcos. Sorry, just having a bad day I suppose.
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Sandra, what about fresh lemonade? I drank 2 quarts literally every day when I was losing my 90 pounds, and getting my pcos 'in check'.
Also, how about freshly brewed Iced Tea? Check the Food Reviews section for the thread on Iced Tea Makers.
I LOVE mine....2 quarts of freshly brewed tea in 10 minutes. I bought mine at Bed Bath and Beyond for about $20. Walmart sells the 3 quart for $19.
There are several articles floating around here about green tea helping with hirsutism...maybe it will help with acne?
Hey Kat, I have an iced tea machine (Mr coffe brand) and I would do the lemonade but I thought I read somewhere that the sugar substitutes were bad and that is why I was sticking to water and milk. What do you think about the substitutes even if a few packs a day?
I also wanted to ask you another question about heart rates. Since I started curves, actually a little before, my heart rate seems to be high. My target rate, according to curves, is 17 but they said 19 would be fine. I don't work the machines hard at all and kind of sway on the platform in beween the circuits. My heart rate is always high 25, 26. Sometimes I think higher because I start the count a few seconds later. I also noticed that just going up the stairs and getting into bed raises the heart beat, but I am not out of breath or anything like that, I can just feel my heart eating very fast. So when I went to the Dr last week, she took my bp and hr 3 different times and mentioned that my bp was normal but my hr was quite high, and this was at rest. I will see an endo for my diabetes next monday, but I don't really understand the hr thing. When I work out, how important is it to stay at my target? If I were to try and stay there I would have to do 'nothing' then. Sorry if I don't make sense.
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Hey Kat, I have an iced tea machine (Mr coffe brand) and I would do the lemonade but I thought I read somewhere that the sugar substitutes were bad and that is why I was sticking to water and milk. What do you think about the substitutes even if a few packs a day? .
I use Sweet N Low with no problems (can't use Spenda). But I've also made my lemonade with Stevia and Agave - both natural. Stevia has a bit of a licorice aftertaste, but the tartness of the lemon kind of cancels it out. Agave is delish, but you have to keep an eye on the calories. It's a great Low GI sweetener.
Thank you Kat for posting this, now maybe more people will listen, I have been trying to tell people about this for about a year now and everyone thinks I'm nuts. A freind of mine is the one that actually suggested I cut out milk and maybe it would help and not only did it take away my acne it also cut way down on my unwanted hair growth WOOHOO!!! I had to pluck or shave every day when I was on milk, now its maybe once a week I have been known to almost make it 2 weeks before. I hope everyone reads this thread. Thanks again Kat
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Thanks so much, I will read through the links and make sure the Dr oks everything. I have only been at curves for 1 month. I have been feeling good for the last 6 months, the best I have in a long time. That is why I wnated to add curves to the mix. I am going to look into the Agave, but will do the substitutes mean time. Thanks for the info.
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Thanks so much, I will read through the links and make sure the Dr oks everything. I have only been at curves for 1 month. I have been feeling good for the last 6 months, the best I have in a long time. That is why I wnated to add curves to the mix. I am going to look into the Agave, but will do the substitutes mean time. Thanks for the info.
If you're really a 'numbers' person, after you get the Dr's ok, look in your phone book for places that do 'sports testing'. Where I live there are several places that test athletes and 'weekend warriors'. They'll test your bodycomposition, vo2max, etc...it's a comprehensive 'snapshot' of where you're starting from. More than likely, they will be able to give you recommendations about how you should train, based on your personal goals.
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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What are some suggestions for getting in our daily calcium? Like yogurt or more cheese?
I'm a farm girl (born and raised in cow country, WI) and there is nothing better to me than a big glass of milk. But having less zits is worth cutting down. It'll be tough, sigh.
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Thanks for the article! I have been drinking more milk and noticing more flare-up's. I will run a little experiment to see if this solves my problems. In the meantime, is it okay to drink almond milk, soy milk, or organic milk? Or, no milk at all?
Thanks
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Milk, Acne, PCOS Connection 
