The culinary medicine questions I’m asked most are about weight loss. And losing weight does help many medical problems: in fact, food can work like medicine in the body. The trick, often, is to make sure it tastes like food, not like medicine.
Acne vulgaris–young adult acne–is very common. Skin pores become clogged and infected, and can too easily ruin self-esteem and self-confidence. Medication often helps, and should be used as appropriate.
Foods that can help are those with lower glycemic loads. These foods improve insulin sensitivity, which slows acne growth. That means whole foods: more vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and poultry, fish and shellfish, nuts, and many fresh fruits, but not all.
Foods to avoid are foods with higher glycemic indices: sodas, candy, cakes, fast food: ever notice the skin of kids hanging out at the convenience store? Not a coincidence. High GL carbs foods here increase insulin levels, decrease insulin sensitivity, and androgen in the bloodstream. Not a coincidence.
Avoid lowfat and nonfat milk, which contain too much insulin-growth factor 1, which is out of balance with other dairy hormones: “consuming dairy products from pregnant cows exposes us to the hormones produced by the cows’ pregnancy.” Although this isn’t a recommendation for whole milk, at all.
Of course, you want to eat recipes, not just foods. Try my Poached Salmon with Sauteed Kale and Warm Cherry Tomatoes: it’s easy, fast and delicious…and low GL.
