A Nutritional Solution For Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic disorder that primarily affects the skin of the face. It typically first appears on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead. Symptoms can include flushing, acne-like epurtions and pain.
In the early stages of the disease, symptoms tend to come and go but eventually, the redness becomes more permanent and visible blood vessels can start to appear.
Although rosacea can affect anyone, it classically affects middle-aged, fair-skinned individuals.
FACTORS IN ROSACEA DEVELOPMENT
Flushing triggers: extreme temperature, hot drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, emotional stress, excessive exercise, hormones and menopause.
UV Light: many people with rosacea find their symptoms get worse when exposed to the sun.
Digestive Problems: low stomach acid, reduced enzyme activity, constipation, coleiac disease, bacterial overgrowth, inflammatory bowel disease.
Helicobacter Pylori Infection: stomach infection by the common bacterium has been reported in rosacea patients.
Hormones: pregnancy and high level of Progesterone worsen the symptoms at the same time inflammation is reduced during oestrogen phase of a menstrual cycle.
Stress: corticotrophine-releasing hormone (CHR) causes blood vessels in the skin to become more dilated and leaky.
Medications: topical steroids and the vasodilator medication.
Allergies to cosmetics: low level of intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase (IAP) .
ROSACEA ACTION PLAN
1) Reduce Flushing triggers
Try to avoid or reduce your sun exposure, wind and sudden temperature changers and never allow skin to burn. Not everyone will react to the same food, but identifying your personal problem foods and avoiding them can definitely help.
Spicy foods are most common culprit, but food rich in the amino acid tyramine can also cause flushing, as can foods which are naturally high in histamine.
A Food Intolerance Test is recommended to establish problem-causing foods.
Reduction of consumption of alcohol, caffeine, hot drinks, spicy food etc.
Tyramine-rich foods: aubergine, avocado, fig, grape, orange, pineapple, plum, raisin, mature cheese, yeast products, processed food, nuts, processed and pickled meat.
Histamin-rich foods: cheese, aubergine, spinach, vinegar,fermented foods, tinned fish.
2) Support IAP Acidity
Take Probiotics - a mixture of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in high strength for 2 months. With a regular intake of Lactobacillus sporongenes to maintain healthy gut.
Include Prebiotic Foods. Prebiotic are non-digestible components of food, that stimulates the growth of activity of friendly bacteria in the gut. For the best results , aim to include at least 2 – 3 of these foods each day:
Artichoke, asparagus, chicory, dandelion greens, dark green leafy vegetables, flax seeds, garlic, green beans, leek, onion, tomato, unrefined oats and barley, legumes.
For an added boost, you might like to include the prebiotic supplement FOS in your daily regime. FOS stands for fructo-oligosacchride, a sweet-tasting form of indigestible carbohydrate that feeds friendly bacteria in the bowel.
Boost Beneficial Fats: include 3 portions of oily fish a week and supplementation with Omega’s oils 3-6-9.
Feast on Foods Rich in Zinc and Beta Carotene: oyster, shellfish, fish, turkey, chicken, eggs, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, sesame seed and tahini, rye, oat, green pea, broccoli, brussels sprout, leek, kale, carrots, apricot , mango, watercress.
Ideally, you should eat two or more foods from the list on a daily basis.
Reduce Phytates. Legumes, nuts and seeds contain phytates, which reduce IAP activity. But with a correct preparation techniques the phytates level can be reduced. The most effective technique for reducing phytates is proper soaking.
Avoid Aspartame. Since aspatame has been associated with a number of health concerns, avoiding this artificial sweetener is a must. A much healthier alternative is the natural sweetener Xylitol.
3) Boost Antioxidant Defenses
Much of the damage in rosacea is initiated by free radicals, so enhancing antioxidant defences is vital for therapy. For example; Diosmin, Rutin, Astaxanthin, Dark Berries, Green tea extract, Vitamins C, A, E, Bromelain, Selenium, Q10 and others.
4) Support Digestion
As there is a common overlap between digestive problems and rosacea, it’s not surprising that many people find their symptoms improve when they use appropriate digestive support.
You might start taking one capsule of a digestive enzyme formula with each meal.
Control constipation. Optimize Stomach Acidity using Betaine Hydrochloride.
5) Use Specialist Cosmetics
There are many products designed to help cover up the signs and to avoid irritating the skin and causing a flare up.
