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As a teenager, my son played Ice Hockey and when he went away on weekend back to back games, he always returned home with his face covered in zits. At home we had control of what he ate but away from home, he ate a lot of junk food.

I always suspected that there is a strong relationship between diet and acne. A recent study suggested just that. Acne is a common skin lesion affecting people of all ages: 79 to 95% of adolescents have acne, 40 to 54% aged 25 and older, 12% women and 3% men in middle age.

The cause of acne is still not clearly known but on the basis of global figures, showing higher level of acne in the West, there is a likelihood that high carbohydrate consumption may be a factor. High carbohydrate intake results in high levels of Insulin (Hyperinsulinemia). Experts feel that hyperinsulinemia plays a part in acne because of the association with available androgen and growth factor.

Dr. Robyn. N. Smith and colleagues, in a 12 week study using 43 male adults with acne aged between 15 and 24 used randomised low glycemic load diet and a control diet rich in carbohydrate dense foods with no consideration to the glycemic index. A low glycemic load diet has 25% energy from protein and 45% from low glycemic index carbohydrates. The study was carried out at the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Published in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the results showed significant reduction of acne in the low glycemic diet compared to the control diet rich in carbohydrates.

Although this is the first randomised study to look at the effect of low glycemic foods on acne, I suspect there are a few more in the pipeline.

Dr Smith and his colleagues said, “Although we could not isolate the effect of the low glycemic load diet from that of weight loss, the findings support the hypothesis of a relationship between acne and high insulin levels and acne.”

Food with low glycemic Index are rich in complex carbohydrates. As a result, they release glucose very slowly into the blood steam. If sugar is released slowly into the blood, the Insulin demand is less. Insulin controls circulating blood sugar and affects growth and sex hormones.

To find out the Glycemic Index of food, the blood sugar level is monitored after eating that food. HGI(High Glycemic Index): 70+ MGI (Medium Glycemic Index: 56 to 69. LGI (Low Glycemic Index): 55 and lower.

LGI (Low Glycemic Food). Rolled Oats 51 Whole Wheat 49 Special K (UK) 54 Natural Muesli 40 Wholegrain Pumpernickel 46 Heavy Mixed Grain 45 All-bran (UK) 30 Oat bran 50 Porridge 58 Soya and Linseed 36 Frozen Green Peas 39 Frozen Sweet Corn 47 Tomatoes 15 Boiled Carrots 41 Cabbage 10 Mushrooms 10 Broccoli 10 Lettuce 10 Green Beans 15 Red Peppers 10 Raw Carrots 16 Onions 10 Chillies 10 Cauliflower 15

Foods with High Glycemic Index. Dates 103 Scones 92 Instant White Rice 87 Glutinous Rice 86 Tapioca 70 Watermelon 80 Pretzels 83 Rice Cakes 87 Fresh Mashed Potatoes 73 French Fries 75 Short Grain White Rice 83 Instant Mashed Potatoes 80 Donuts 76

To knock spots off your teenage child or yourself, eats cereals and beans regularly and avoid white bread, burgers, and French fries.