Does anyone have a definitive or at least anecdotal list of foods that triggers acne or other skin conditions? I tend to notice more and more that vegetarians and vegans have bad skin.

All I can think of is chocolate.

http://acne.about.com/od/acnetriggers/a/dietacnestudy.htm

You can be pretty certain that someone on a high fat low carb/sugar diet would do even better than those in the study.

I am not convinced it is the carbs that is to blame. Kitavans and modern Aches have no detectable acne and they both consume over 50% of their calories from carbs. They don't consume dairy, wheat, processed food, etc. The carbs are coming mostly from tubers and fruits.

Most high-fat diets instinctively avoid the problematic foods, but I don't think the results are a function of the macro-nutrient distribution.

Quote from: ajmesa on March 11, 2010, 07:00:56 AM

I am not convinced it is the carbs that is to blame. Kitavans and modern Aches have no detectable acne and they both consume over 50% of their calories from carbs. They don't consume dairy, wheat, processed food, etc. The carbs are coming mostly from tubers and fruits.

Actually the modern - which is to say, westernized - Ache consume significant amounts of "pasta, flour, sugar, and bread" as well, based on your own quotes from Cordain, suggesting that wheat and some processed foods are ruled out as causes for them as well.

All of their plant foods seem to be carbohydrate, so if a macronutrient is involved - which I agree it may not be - plant fats or plant protein seem the likely culprits.

This is not true. Although they do consume western foods it only amount to 8% of their diet (see link below). 92% of their diet is "non-western". BTW, your protein/fat theory falls apart when you consider the second most important crop for the aches is peanut. I think it has more to do with lectins and gut health than anything else.

From my personal experience with acne (remember I initially joined paleo because of acne), wheat plays a major role. Same with dairy.

Quote from: ajmesa on March 11, 2010, 10:39:46 AM

This is not true. Although they do consume western foods it only amount to 8% of their diet (see link below).

8% is pretty contrary to your claim that they "don't" consume wheat, now isn't it?

My main point is that acne is not related to macro-nutrient distribution, but to the consumption of western goods, mostly dairy and gluten containing grains.

Apparently you can get away with 8% cheats. To me every gluten or dairy containing cheat affects my acne. The same is not true about the modern aches probably because they have never consumed large amounts of western foods. With time I have noticed that I can cheat more without it being a big deal for my skin.

I think a combination of ingredients may trigger acne in some people and also consider the amount. I think chocolate is a trigger for me. But a small amount of dark chocolate 2 to 3 times a week seems to be OK.  A larger amount or more often - 5 to 7 days a week can be a trigger.  Perhaps a combination of wheat, dairy, caffiene and chocolate.  

The triggers for acne are harder to determine because for most people there isn't an immediate reaction. Unlike for example a peanut allergy where you get an immediate reaction. With acne you could eat chocolate for a couple of days, drink 5 or 6 cups of coffee because you are feeling lethargic from that big pasta lunch and then wake up on day 3 with a zit. What was it? The chocolate, the dairy, too much coffee (and not enough water) or the wheat, or some combination? Do the Kitavans have a Sarbucks?

The only food I can connect for sure with acne is dairy.  Personally, I have bad acne all the time, so I haven't noticed any trends.  It will be interesting to see if that changes as I continue to eat more paleo.

Interestingly, acne is for the most part a phenomenon of the developed world, so I think diet is probably a big component.  Could the growth hormones given to dairy cows play a role?

I've had acne since 1965. Were hormones used in dairy cows back then?  Paleo has reduced the outbreaks, which are now mostly on my back and neck, sometimes my arms.  I haven't had a lot of facial acne since my 20s.

Do you have hot showers? Long hot showers are a big cause of acne on the back and shoulders.

I've had acne since 1965. Were hormones used in dairy cows back then?  Paleo has reduced the outbreaks, which are now mostly on my back and neck, sometimes my arms.  I haven't had a lot of facial acne since my 20s.

I hadn't had acne for at least 20 years, but a week or so ago I got what seemed like a zit.

As best I can tell, it was from having a little unsweetened Ghirardelli chocolate.  In the past, though, 85% dark Green & Black chocolate has not caused the same problem.  I wonder if the type of chocolate could be important.

Of course, what I should really do is stay away from the chocolate entirely.