Foods that Feed Acne vs. Foods that Heal Acne

Acne is caused by a large number of strep bacteria residing in the body. When our hormones are off balance, or when we are about to get our periods our hormones are preparing for that and when hormones are off balance our immune systems get lowered as a result. When the immune system is not as strong as it normally would be, all the strep bacteria present in the body is able to take control and it is reflected in a number of ways, one being acne. 

Antibiotics are often prescribed for someone who is dealing with chronic acne, which this is actually counter productive. Antibiotics feed strep bacteria and cause it to grow even more, which causes more acne. This is also harsh on the gut because it kills all the good bacteria which lowers your immune system resulting in the strep bacteria to have that much more power in your body. It can become an endless cycle of taking antibiotics the acne getting worse and then you get prescribed even more antibiotics.

Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are also a sign that you have an overgrowth of strep in your body. Often times UTIs and BV can be misdiagnosed as yeast infections so keep that in mind when you go to the doctor and they say you have a yeast infection, you may want them to check for a UTI as well. If you do have a UTI or BV, they are also often treated with antibiotics, which has a similar cycle as acne. You will take antibiotics for the UTI and then it will keep coming back because the antibiotics are feeding the very thing that is causing it.

Foods that Feed Strep Bacteria (leading to more acne)

  • Wheat/gluten

  • All dairy products

  • Eggs

  • Too many fats in your diet

  • Soy 

  • Canola Oil

Foods that Diminish Strep Bacteria (heal acne)

  • Wild blueberries

  • Lettuces

  • Avocado (stick to consuming them only after noon)

  • Onions

  • Garlic

  • Lemon

  • Oranges

  • Mangoes

  • Raw honey

  • Celery juice

    • 16 ounces on an empty stomach, but work your way up to 32 ounces, for teens who struggle with acne you can drink up to 16 ounces 

Supplements that Help Reduce Strep Bacteria

(always ask your doctor if these are okay for you, just in case they conflict with a current medication)

  • Zinc

  • Periodic Goldenseal

  • Fresh Thyme tea

  • Lemon Balm tea or tincture

  • Lots of vitamin C (like Micro-C)

  • B-12 (preferable a vegan b-12)

  • Barley Grass Juice Powder

  • Spirulina 

Taylor DeBoer