Many people have heard rumors about diet’s effect on skin – “eating chocolate or greasy food will give me acne!” – and some say there may be a grain of truth to some of these so-called secrets.  According to dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu, author of Feed Your Face, things we don’t normally think about related to our dietary choices can affect our skin.

For example, Dr. Wu claims that a high-protein diet can fight sagging because collagen and elastin, the substances that comprise skin, are made of protein.  Dairy products are high in hormones (even organic dairy, which contains cow hormones), which apparently increase the number of oil glands in the skin and cause breakouts.  Zinc helps fight acne, and vegetables will give you smoother skin.

Any physician can tell you that eating high amounts of protein won’t help you build up more muscle (also made of protein), so how could it help build up skin?  Protein consumed is simply broken down and either used for fuel or converted into fat and stored, just like any other caloric substance.  It’s important for dermatology patients to think carefully and critically about what they hear from their doctors.

As a dermatologist Westchester’s Dr. Michelle Abadir advises all her patients to take care of their skin by drinking plenty of water, avoiding tanning and always wearing sunscreen when they go outside.  Any bizarre or unfounded claims should be taken with a grain of salt.