SKIN MATTERS

USING ZINC SUPPLEMENT TO TREAT ACNE 

Hello People!

Been having issues with my skin of late....woke up to find some angry zits on my beloved face and i am very sure the cause aside from my hormones is the Biotin that i had started on about 2 weeks ago, despite my hair twin telling me that she was assure that the biotin would not break anyone out.

I isn't want to use antibiotics to treat my acne as i have gone that route several times before and to no avail...my skin would clear up a little bit and then i would start getting breakouts again.I decided to do what i know best- research! research! research! Below here are my findings

Zinc may have the ability to assist in clearing acne. Why? Well, research shows that people with acne usually have low levels of zinc when compared to those with normal skin. Also, supplementing with zinc may help reduce acne by 50%. Research has also shown that using a zinc supplement with high bio availability levels (the proportion of a drug or substance that enters the circulation when introduced into the body and therefore is able to have an active effect).

Whilst Zinc may not be as effective as an antibiotic, it can still be helpful in treating acne as the bacteria won't develop resistance to zinc and therefore would work for people who suffer from antibiotic resistant bacteria on the skin.

HOW DOES IT WORK

Zinc reduces Inflammatory response to bacteria. Think about it, when bacteria invades your pores, it blocks it, causing irritation to the area causing the pimples to be red and painful. Zinc reduces the inflammatory response and also reduces the effect of the bacteria on the skin.

Another way zinc helps is that it reduces keratinocyte activation....i bet you are wondering what that is? Keratinocytes are cells that produce keratin, which is a tough protein that binds the skin cells together. Too much keratin prevents sourcelessfrom separating and leads to blocked pores, which you find in acne sufferers. Zinc helps keep the pores open.

Zinc is a DHT blocker which is a male sex hormone /androgen. Sufferers of acne usually have a high amount of DHT. Now, although Zinc is not a very strong DHT blocker, it does help .

As we all know antioxidants are great for reducing sebum and aiding skin cell turnover. Zinc is an antioxidant and reduces sebum.

WHAT FORM OF ZINC TO TAKE

There are actually 3 types of Zinc

* Zinc Gluconte

*Zinc Picolinate and 

* Zinc Methinione

Methinione and Picolinate have been reviewed as having a high bio availability but if these are not available, try using the Gluconate.

Dosage varies with acne sufferers but best results seem to be usage between 30-100mg. Please do not go any higher as Zinc reduces your copper and iron levels. It is also advised to take these 2 supplements along with your zinc.

Ensure you take with food as zinc can cause stomach cramps, nausea and even vomitting when taken on an empty stomach.

That's all folks! 

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