Protein Powders May be causing your acne.

There are many components in various protein powders that can potentially worsen acne. Let’s review:

· Dairy (whey and casein proteins)

• Includes whole milk, low-fat milk, skim milk

• Skim milk is especially associated with acne because it has the highest percentage of whey and casein proteins. Another hypothesis is that the bioavailability of comedogenic triggers in milk are increased in the processing of skim milk.

• Contains leucine, which stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)

• IGF-1 activates inflammatory pathways, including mTOR and FOXP1 pathways.

• IGF-1 also stimulates and increases bioavailability of androgens (hormones that trigger acne breakouts.

· Vitamin B12 – vitamin B12 supplementation in P. acnes cultures promoted the production of porphyrins, which have been shown to possibly induce inflammation in acne.

· High glycemic index foods– Foods with a high glycemic index (GI) are quickly digested and absorbed, causing a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. These foods induces hyperinsulinemia and increased IGF-1, thereby increasing acne breakouts.

· Soy- There is some suggestion that soy can decrease production of estrogen and increase production of androgens that contribute to acne. However, this is not well-studied.