Food

11 Doctors Reveal the Foods They'd Never Touch

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by Jenn Sinrich | COMMENT

PHOTO 6/13

Skim Milk If you're someone who invests in a strict (and expensive) skin care regimen that requires a great deal of upkeep, you may want to make sure your diet is compliant. One thing to nix is milk -- particularly skim. "Cow's milk in general has been linked to worsening of acne, but the greatest association is with skim milk," says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. In fact, one study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, supports this correlation. Researchers found a link between those who drank skim or low-fat milk and acne, but did not find the same for those who drank full-fat milk.

Dr. Zeichner notes that another theory as to why cow's milk may cause breakouts is that hormones from the lactating cow may be transferred to the milk and ultimately stimulate our oil glands when we drink it. "Sugar has also been associated both with premature skin aging and acne breakouts," he explains. "High sugar levels in the blood promote inflammation that cause acne flares in predisposed individuals."

Additionally, he explains that high sugar levels leads to a process called glycation, where the sugar attaches to collagen leading to hardening of the collagen itself and early wrinkling. "While I know I shouldn't be having too much sugar, I have to admit it's difficult to resist taking a lick of my kids' ice cream cones."

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