Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I am a 27 year old female and I have been struggling with moderate acne since I was a teenager. It is a horribly depressing feeling to have bumps all over my face that never go away. I have tried many supplements, lotions, and potions, but perhaps not the right ones. Do you have any suggestions for how to treat this problem naturally rather than having to resort to some sort of drug with nasty side effects? Any suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thanks!” —Christa M., Lake Forest Park, WA A. Dear Christa, While most people think about using products applied to the skin, there absolutely are oral nutrients that can make a tremendous difference in problem skin. What most people don’t realize is that acne is not just a skin issue—it is a gut issue as well. The balance of healthy flora in your intestines influences the colonies of micro-organisms on the skin. Certain types of skin bacteria play a big role in acne, so by reducing the numbers of the problematic bacteria and replacing them with neutral or even helpful bacteria will result in fewer and milder acne break outs. In order to reduce acne, therefore, you need to use nutrients that target the skin AND the intestines. I have worked with these kinds of combinations for many years and have seen excellent results for people with a blemished complexion. I recommend you look for a formula with 5000 IU vitamin A in the retinyl acetate form, 5 mg of vitamin B6 in the bioidentical P-5-P (or pyridoxal-5-phosphate) form, 100 mg of the mineral sulfur and 50 mg lactoferrin. Other ingredients should include vitamin C, niacin and zinc. In addition to these nutrients, make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of pure, clean water every day and reduce sugars and high-glycemic index carbs (white rice, white flour, white potatoes, etc) which contribute to imbalances in intestinal flora. If you have not done so already, you may also want to check the beauty products in your local health food store for makeup and skin creams that are natural and healthy for your skin. Many beauty products contain compounds that cause comedones (blackheads) and other blemishes. Switching facial care products can make a big difference in skin health. Good luck! Healthy regards! Terry . . . Naturally