Combined with some modest dietary changes, fish oil is an excellent remedy for acne. Fish oil is high in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These are excellent for general health but also work to reduce redness and puffiness. Fish oil can improve the texture of your skin by increasing hydration within the skin cell, reducing skin cell production, and regulating hormones (chemicals released by the cells) which, in excess, can cause acne. Fish oil also helps balance one's mood and reduces stress, which in turn lowers the production of sebum (oils secreted by the sebaceous glands), another cause of acne.
Instructions
1. Find a quality fish oil to take. Carlson Nutritional Supplements is a good brand name that is tested regularly for potency and purity by an independent lab. Progressive Nutritional Therapies is also a good choice as their products are HFL-tested and certified free of banned substances. Dr. Mercola's Salmon Oil is free of environmental contaminants and regularly tested for purity.
Whichever brand you choose, make sure that your fish oil contains vitamin E to prevent rancidity. Also, double-check that your fish oil is free of mercury, PCBs and other contaminants and has low oxidation levels to prevent rancidity.
2. Determine how many pills (or teaspoons of liquid fish oil) you need to take. A good dosage of fish oil for acne is 3 to 4 grams of combined EPA and DHA per day. Check the back of the fish oil brand you would like to buy and look at the dosage and amount of EPA and DHA you're getting per dose. If you choose to take liquid fish oil, this may be only a couple of teaspoons. Pills may require many tablets. If possible, split your dosage up throughout the day.
3. Make dietary changes to supplement your fish oil. Although fish oil is excellent for acne, dietary measures are an incredibly helpful addition. Acne is very closely linked to insulin, so any foods which trigger the release of large amounts of insulin are best avoided. These include grains, potatoes, dairy and sugars.
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