7-Day Detox Treatment for Acne

The rates of acne are higher in Western societies. Loren Cordain, professor at Colorado State University, claims that modern diets are to blame, as published in the 2002 issue of "Archives of Dermatology." You can change your eating habits for seven days to detoxify your body and clear your skin. For best and long-term results, adopt most of the aspects of this detox treatment as part of your everyday life.

No Sugar and Refined Carbs

The consumption of sugar and refined carbs is relatively high in the typical Western diet and can contribute to acne. A complicated hormonal reaction triggered by the release of large amount insulin when you eat sugar and refined carbs is proposed to increase the number of acne lesions you have, according to the July 2007 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."

No Dairy

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Dairy products can contribute to acne by leading to higher concentrations of IGF-1 in your blood, which can promote breakouts. During your detox treatment, obtain the calcium you need by consuming plenty of leafy greens, canned salmon with the bones and almonds.

Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio

Both omega-6 and omega-3 are important fat for your body. Unfortunately, the Western diet usually provides disproportionate quantities of omega-6 fats and small amounts of omega-3 fats. This high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of acne, according to March 2009 issue of the "International Journal of Dermatology." Avoid vegetable oils that contain large amounts of omega-6, such as:

• corn oil
  
• soybean oil
  
• peanut oil
  
• safflower oil
  
• sunflower oil
  
• as well as foods made from these oils

Choose low omega-6 oils instead, such as olive oil, avocado oil or coconut oil.

What To Eat

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The best foods to eat during your detox treatment for acne are plenty of nutrient-dense nonstarchy vegetables, such as:

• poultry
  
• fish
  
• seafood
  
• meat
  
• eggs

Include a healthy dose of low omega-6 fats at each of your meals, whether you choose coconut oil, olive oil or avocado. Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water or teas, during your seven-day detox treatment can also help improve your acne.

After The Detox

After your seven-day detox treatment, you can reintroduce some of the foods you eliminated. However, it is important that you reintroduce these foods one by one, spaced by two to three days, to see if any of these foods triggers an acne outbreak. For example, you may find that you can handle a small amount of sugar, but that dairy is bad for your skin. Learn what foods contribute to your acne to adjust your diet accordingly.