The goal of this paper is to draw attention to the endocrine signaling of the Western diet, which is a major environmental factor in the development of epidemic acne. In Western nutrition, people eat a lot of calories, foods that are high in sugar and fat, and meat. They also eat a lot of dairy proteins, which raise insulin and IGF-1 levels. The nutrient-sensitive kinase mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) picks up on the metabolic signals of the Western diet. It does this by combining signals of cellular energy, growth factors (insulin, IGF-1) and protein-derived signals, mostly leucine, which are found in high amounts in meat and milk proteins. mTORC1 activates SREBP, the master transcription factor of lipogenesis. Adding leucine to mTORC1-SREBP signals makes them work better, and sebocytes directly change it into fatty acids and sterols for sebaceous lipid synthesis. Over-activated mTORC1 increases androgen hormone secretion and most likely amplifies androgen-driven mTORC1 signaling of sebaceous follicles. Testosterone directly activates mTORC1. Future research should investigate the effects of isotretinoin on sebocyte mTORC1 activity. It is conceivable that isotretinoin may downregulate mTORC1 in sebocytes by upregulation of nuclear levels of FoxO1. To fully understand the role of the Western diet in acne, all stimulatory inputs for maximal mTORC1 activation must be taken into account. e. , glucose, insulin, IGF-1 and leucine, are adequately considered. Epidemic acne needs to be seen as a major public health problem, just like obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Based on these new findings about how the Western diet raises mTORC1 activity, it makes sense to change the way people eat to help acne by lowering their intake of (1) total calories, (2) high-glycemic carbohydrates, (3) insulin-boosting dairy proteins, and (4) leucine-rich meat and dairy proteins. The changes that need to be made to diet go against how industrialized food and fast food are sold in Westernized countries. mTORC1 signaling can only be slowed down by eating more fruits and vegetables, which are the main parts of vegan or Paleolithic diets. The dermatologist has a huge responsibility to the young people who have acne. He should tell them to change what they eat to lower the things that activate mTORC1. This will not only help their acne, but it will also keep them from getting other mTORC1-related chronic diseases later in life, which are very harmful and expensive.
Acne is an epidemic skin disease of industrialized countries, reaching prevalence rates of over 85% of teenagers. 1. In the United States, almost half of both men and women still have acne after puberty and into their 30s. 2 This shows that the environmental factors that cause acne continue after puberty and are not affected by the hormones that happen during puberty. It is clear that acne is a disease of Western society and that it is closely linked to the Western diet. 3. It’s interesting that people who eat a Paleolithic diet that doesn’t include sugar, grains, or dairy protein don’t get acne. For example, the Kitava islanders eat this way and have low basal insulin levels compared to Europeans their age. They also don’t get the common diseases of civilization. 3. Surprisingly, an Australian study with a placebo group confirmed that lowering glycemic load improved acne symptoms, sebum production, and the free androgen index in male acne patients aged 15 to 25. 5-8.
Epidemiologic data from the Nurses Health Study II and the Growing Up Today Study in the United States showed a link between drinking milk, especially skim milk, and having acne. 9–11 There have also been reports of links between eating dairy products like instant breakfast drinks, sherbet, cream cheese, and cottage cheese and having acne. 9 A study of 783 people with acne and 502 people who didn’t have acne in South Korea recently confirmed the link between acne and the types of foods people eat. 12 Members of the control group ate vegetables and fish a lot more often than members of the acne group. People with acne ate a lot more instant noodles, junk food, soda, snacks, processed cheeses, pork, chicken, nuts, and seaweed than people who didn’t have acne. In conclusion, the Western diet, which is high in fat, high in glycemic load, and high in dairy and meat, was a major cause of acne getting worse in South Korea. Almost half of both male and female acne patients said that the food they ate made their acne worse. Remarkably, in the group of food-aggravated acne patients, serum IGF-1 levels (543. 9 ± 56. 4 ng/mL) were significantly higher than IGF-1 levels (391. 3 ± 118. 2 ng/mL) in the acne group not reporting aggravation by food. 12 More and more epidemiologic and controlled dietary studies show that high glycemic load diets and eating more dairy proteins are the main parts of the Western diet that cause or make acne worse. 13–20: This is still a controversial topic, even though there is a lot of evidence that diet plays a part in acne. 21 The major problem of this uncertainty is the lack of knowledge on signaling pathways mediated by nutrients. This paper aims to explain the main nutrient signaling pathways in the Western diet that play a part in the development of acne. It also emphasizes the important role of mTORC1, a nutrient-sensitive kinase, in controlling the effects of nutrient-derived signals in the development of acne.
Acne is an extremely common skin condition that can affect anyone regardless of age or gender. While topical treatments are often used to manage breakouts many people wonder if certain foods in their diet may be contributing to acne as well. In particular, questions surround whether consuming pork could lead to more pimples and breakouts.
Let’s take a closer look at the potential connection between eating pork and acne.
What Causes Acne in the First Place?
Before examining pork’s role specifically it’s important to understand the primary causes behind acne formation
-
Excess sebum production – When oil glands are overactive, they produce too much sebum. This thick, sticky substance can clog pores.
-
Clogged pores – Dead skin cells, bacteria, and excess sebum can plug up pores, creating the perfect environment for pimples.
-
Bacteria: The acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes does best in follicles that are clogged, which causes redness and pimples.
-
Hormones – Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menstruation, and menopause can increase sebum production and bacteria growth.
Diet is not considered a direct cause of acne. However, some connections suggest certain foods may influence acne-prone skin. Let’s see if pork is one of them.
Does Pork Consumption Worsen Acne?
There is no definitive evidence that eating pork uniquely contributes to acne. However, a few characteristics of pork may theoretically aggravate breakouts:
-
Hormones – Growth hormones given to pigs could theoretically impact human hormone levels. But hormone levels in pork are very low.
-
Inflammation – Compounds in pork may activate inflammatory pathways, but inflammation from food is complex.
-
Fat – Pork contains high amounts of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. But other sources like vegetable oils also provide omega-6.
Overall, these effects are minor and unproven. Lean pork in moderation is unlikely to worsen acne alone. But it may contribute to breakouts in those predisposed to them.
Additional Dietary Factors That May Impact Acne
While pork itself does not seem to be a direct acne cause, other dietary components and habits may play a role:
-
High glycemic index foods – Foods that spike blood sugar quickly may trigger inflammation and increased sebum production. Examples are white bread, candy, soda, pastries, and processed snacks.
-
Milk and dairy – Some studies link cow’s milk, especially skim milk, to increased acne risk. The hormones and bioactive molecules in milk may influence skin cell growth.
-
Soy – Potential hormonal effects of soy are hypothesized to promote acne in some individuals. But evidence is limited.
-
Chocolate – Despite long-held beliefs, chocolate does not appear to worsen acne based on recent research. Both milk chocolate and dark chocolate showed no effects.
-
Junk foods – Heavily processed foods with added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats may promote inflammation.
A balanced, whole foods-based diet is optimal for overall health and may benefit the skin as well. Pork in moderation can be incorporated into an acne-conscious diet.
Tips for Managing Diet to Improve Acne
While more research is still needed, several diet and lifestyle measures may aid in reducing acne:
-
Limit added sugar intake from sodas, candies, baked goods, and desserts.
-
Reduce refined carbohydrate consumption from white bread, pasta, chips, pretzels, and crackers.
-
Focus diet on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats like olive oil and avocado.
-
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
-
Take a targeted supplement like fish oil, vitamin D, zinc, or probiotics.
-
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
-
Manage stress levels through exercise, meditation, yoga, or otherrelaxation techniques.
-
Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
Along with dietary measures, properly cleansing and moisturizing skin remains key for managing acne. Avoid excessive scrubbing or irritating products. Seek medical treatment for severe cystic acne.
The Takeaway: Pork’s Role in Acne
At this time, there is insufficient evidence to directly correlate pork consumption with increased acne. Substituting pork with other protein sources is unlikely to resolve breakouts alone.
However, an overall healthy, balanced diet full of anti-inflammatory whole foods may benefit skin health. While pork can be enjoyed in moderation, limiting processed pork products with added preservatives, sodium, and nitrates may be advisable.
Individuals vary in how diet impacts their skin. Tracking your personal breakout triggers takes time and care. Keeping a food journal can help identify potential acne-promoting items.
Acne is a multifactorial condition without a one-size-fits-all solution. But tending to diet and lifestyle factors empowers you to take control of your skin’s destiny. With patience and awareness, you may find dietary tweaks that clear up your complexion.
The Role of Leucine in T Cell Activation
In the past few decades, most research has been done on how cytokines and hormones affect T cell responses. However, the basic part of cellular energy metabolism and nutrients that control T cell function and differentiation has been ignored. 85 It has only been recently realized how important mTORC1 is to T cell metabolism and how it affects T cell function and differentiation. 78. T cells have very high metabolic needs, and an increase in T cell metabolism is a key part of activating T cells. 86,87 The transcription factors KLF2 and FoxO have been implicated in regulating T cell metabolism. 78 When T cells are quiescent, their metabolism is at rest and is controlled by autophagy. On the other hand, when T cells are activated, they need a lot of the necessary parts for protein, amino acid, lipid, and DNA biosynthesis, which involves mTORC1 function.
Leucine plays a fundamental role in T cell activation and function. 88 Notably, the leucine-antagonist N-acetylleucine amide (NALA) stopped T cells from working and TCR engagement when NALA was present, and it made T cells sleepy. 89,90 NALA stopped leucine from activating S6K and the signaling between amino acids and mTORC1 in Jurkat cells. It also stopped the cell cycle at G1 and stopped S6K from activating and p27 from being broken down. 89 Since not having enough leucine stops mTORC1 from activating, these results are in line with the observation that TCR engagement during rapamycin-mediated mTORC1 inhibition led to anergy. 91 Similarly, 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), a glucose analog, slowed down mTORC1 activity most likely through the AMPK pathway and made T cells less active. 92 Furthermore, the AMPK activator AICAR inhibited mTORC1 and T cell function and mitigated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Interestingly, regulatory T cells can stop T cells from working by producing enzymes that break down amino acids. These enzymes remove essential amino acids from the environment, which is important for mTORC1 function. 93.
These findings clearly show that overeating, especially eating a lot of leucine-rich animal proteins, mostly milk proteins and meat, can activate T cells and cause inflammation, all of which may make acne worse.
Leucine: Precursor of Sebaceous Lipids
The Western diet, enriched in meat and dairy proteins, provides high and persitantly increasing amounts of leucine. From 1950 to 2010, the amount of leucine that each person in Germany got from eating animal-based proteins tripled each year. Leucine helps make muscle proteins and, more importantly, it can be changed into lipids (like fatty acids and cholesterol) and stored in fat layers. 73. Adipose tissue efficiently changes the carbon skeletons of BCAAs into newly made fatty acids. Insulin speeds up this process. Amazingly, sebaceous glands and adipocytes can take in leucine and change it into their main types of sebum lipids. In this way, a Western diet high in leucine may have two main effects on sebaceous lipogenesis: (1) it may boost leucine-stimulated mTORC1/SREBP signaling, which controls the genetic program for sebogenesis; and (2) it may provide leucine as a building block for the creation of new sebaceous lipids.
These “Healthy” Foods Can Cause Acne
FAQ
Does pork affect skin?
What meats are bad for acne?
Can eating pork make you break out?
What foods trigger acne?
Does meat cause acne?
Although there are no studies to prove that beef or pork can directly trigger acne, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology notes that acne is extremely rare in cultures that do not eat these foods, suggesting a possible role. The benefits of limiting meat in your diet go beyond getting clearer skin.
Can Beef and pork worsen acne?
Foods such as beef and pork do not directly cause acne, but they can worsen it if you’re already a victim. If you’ve been battling acne for a while, consult a dermatologist for more information on how to treat it.
Can food cause acne?
While food does not directly cause acne, it can contribute to blemishes. If you’re hoping to keep your skin clear, try limiting these five foods, which can trigger breakouts and cause inflammation within the skin: 1. Refined grains and sugar
How can you prevent acne if you eat a lot of meat?
Therefore, a diet that includes lean proteins, such as chicken, turkey, egg whites, and shrimp, could help reduce acne outbreaks. High-fat meats, such as steak, ground beef, pork shoulder, and lamb chops, are still all right if enjoyed in moderation.