Acne and disease are on the rise globally due to the influence of Western food.
The Japanese had virtually no acne or cancer, and very low cholesterol levels before fast food arrived in their country. They now suffer the same diseases and skin problems as we do in the Western world.
Here are the realities of the American diet:
Carbohydrates
-The main source of carbohydrates in America is bread and cereal, which is an acceptable way to ingest a large amount of our calories. However, only 3.5% of our energy from cereal and bread comes from whole grains. It is surprising since “whole grains” is a buzzword we hear over and over.
-Processed carbohydrates (cereal and bread) remove the fiber and nutrition from whole grain flour. Lack of fiber causes elevations in blood sugar and an increase in insulin levels. When grains are processed they lose valuable vitamins and minerals such as zinc, selenium and vitamin B6, which help prevent acne as well as other disease.
-Each of us consumed ½ pound of high fructose corn syrup per year in 1970 and 60 pounds of high fructose corn syrup in 1997. Our intake of high fructose corn syrup spikes blood sugar and insulin, which causes an increase in sebum production. Sebum clogs our pores, which leads to acne eruptions.
Vegetables
-The four vegetables consumed more than any other in the American diet are iceberg lettuce, onions, tomatoes and potatoes. These are all included in a typical McDonald’s meal of hamburger and fries.
-Phytochemicals are manufactured in colorful plants as defense mechanisms for their survival and health. Our bodies and skin benefit in the same way if we consume a variety of colorful fruit and vegetables. Dark green, yellow, red and blue fruit and vegetables are only included in 9% of the typical American diet. We are missing all of the vitamin A, antioxidants and over 25,000 microchemicals needed to keep our skin clear and prevent cancer and heart disease.
Fats
-Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are important components of our cell membranes. However, the fat we consume is almost devoid of Omega 3 fatty acids. We eat mainly Omega 6 fatty acids located in corn, safflower, sunflower oil. A high concentration of omega-6 oil clogs our arteries and our pores. These types of oils consumed in excess also cause inflammation, which is the source of all disease.
-The ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 should be 2:1. In the American diet, omega-6 is now out-numbering Omega-3 intake by a ration of 20:1. We should consume 400-700 mg of EPA and 500-900 mg of DHA (omega-3 oils). We consume a total of only 100mg of omega-3 oils. In the Western world it is hard to consume enough omega-3 fatty acids so, we must take omega-3 supplements.
