Do you find yourself with an embarrassing skin affliction and are reluctant to go out in public because of it? You are not alone. There are many natural ways to combat skin problems which all start from educating yourself and nutrition! This is a three part skin condition series that will help to clear up those uncomfortable and irritating skin complications and questions.
What is it?About 14 million Americans have Rosacea. It causes red, splotchy and inflamed skin, usually on the cheeks and nose. The disease usually affects people with fair skin and tends to be progressive, which means that it gets worse if left untreated. It can also be cyclical, clearing up at times and getting worse at others.
■Redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead
■Small visible blood vessels on the face
■Bumps or pimples on the face
■Watery or irritated eyes
At one time, Rosacea was thought to be a telltale sign of alcoholism. Alcohol does not cause the disease, though it often causes flare-ups. In fact, scientists are unsure what causes it. Some believe it is hereditary, while others think it is caused by chronic bacteria or even microscopic mites.
Frequently used medical interventions have included topical and tablet antibiotics, steroid ointments in creame form, and light/laser treatments. However, none of these treatments fight the cause, only the symptoms – which is why so many people have turned to nutrition as a way to lessen the effects of Rosacea.
Turning to the alkaline diet as a way to combat Rosacea is the most effective and natural way to prevent flare ups. The alkaline diet consists almost entirely of cleansing vegetables, low sugar fruits, pure water, soups and juices, salads, and omega oils; because it provides the skin and organ systmes with all of the nutrition it needs to remain healthy.
Note that acidic foods and stimulants such as sugar, coffee, tea, alcohol, trans (and other bad) fats and cigarettes are predominantly the cause of vascular dilation/flushing. For instance it has been noted that fizzy drinks and junk drinks containing aspartame and or artificial sweeteners cause excessive redness in approximately 30% of rosacea sufferers and should be cut out entirely.
Stimulants such as coffee, tea, alcohol, cigarettes, and excessive sugar from sweets and soda are vascular dilators, the cause of vascular dilation, or flushing, and should be avoided as they are all “acidic foods” or “toxins”. Once these foods are consumed, they act like poison in our bodies and tax the organ systems which are trying to detox the body and process the foreign matter out of the body as quickly as possible. These stimulants thus create stress, redness, flushing, rosacea papules and acne pimples and worsen the Rosacea.
■Eat a diet high in fiber, with plenty of raw and lightly steamed vegetables, and whole grains such as brown rice, millet, buckwheat, oats, amaranth, quinoa and spelt.
■Use fresh vegetable juices. Consider buying a juicer and a book on juicing.
■Eat berries (low sugar fruits), e.g. bilberry, blueberry, blackberry, etc. for vitamin C and bioflavonoid content.
■Avoid foods which cause flushing, e.g. hot drinks, spicy foods, alcohol, coffee.
■Avoid beef, pork, lamb and the skin of chicken and turkey, as well as dairy produce. These promote inflammation.
■Avoid fried foods for the same reason.
■Avoid excessive salt and sugar.
■Allow food to cool slightly before eating.
■A vegetarian or vegan diet may be best suited.
■ A multi-vitamin and multi-minerals
■Digestive Enzymes, and Amino-acids
■Omega oil blend
