Do grains damage the skin

Although grains contain many beneficial nutrients, in some cases their abundance in the diet can become the cause. Prolamins in cereals can cause an autoimmune reaction in the skin and form antibodies against skin enzymes.

Lectins, which are also contained in cereals, stimulate an inflammatory process, these proteins cause allergy, and amylopectins form a peak of carbohydrates in the blood, leading to the rise of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels. Among the adverse consequences on the skin of the consumption of cereals are itching, rash, peeling, greasiness, cracking, etc.

Among the most common skin diseases caused by the use of cereals are:

1. Acne
Facial acne is practically a problem that affects almost every modern teenager and also for quite a few adults. However, this skin problem is almost unknown to people who live outside of modern civilization. Aborigines from Papua New Guinea or hunter-gatherers from Paraguay did not experience acne, at least during the 3-year observation period.

Acne is thought to be caused by foods that trigger the formation of insulin and insulin-like growth factor. All grains raise blood sugar levels and thus stimulate the release of high concentrations of insulin and insulin-like growth factor. Repeated high blood sugar levels lead to tissue insulin resistance. The gradual increase of these hormones is the reason for the formation of acne.

2. Seborrhea
This skin disease usually manifests itself with increased secretion of sebaceous glands in the skin and red rashes on the face, chest, back and head /dandruff/. Seborrhea is caused by lipophilic yeast and neuroendocrine dysregulation. This disease occurs more often in people who consume cereals. And in fact, some specialists believe that seborrhea, especially when it occurs on both sides of the nose, is a characteristic sign of the consumption of wheat, rye and especially barley.

3. Psoriasis
This skin disease presents with an irritating and sometimes disfiguring rash that usually appears on the elbows, knees, scalp and back. Psoriasis usually takes the form of raised red spots with a white, glossy-looking upper surface.

Traditional treatment usually includes steroid creams, cytostatics, immunosuppressants, and also other expensive preparations. Treatment can continue for many years and even decades without visible effects.

Psoriasis can be caused by an immune reaction to the components of gliadin and other proteins included in the composition of cereals. At the same time, psoriasis is related to celiac disease and can occur as a result of this autoimmune disease. This sometimes disfiguring skin disease may be due to the presence of antibodies (IgA) to gliadin. Wheat germ contains agglutinins /WGA/, which block the vasoactive intestinal peptide /VIP/, thus causing skin inflammation and the appearance of psoriasis.

4. Eczema
The term eczema is used to name a wide range of skin diseases, which are usually accompanied by redness, itching and can appear anywhere on the body. 1/3 of the Earth’s population develops eczema at some point in their lives, and this is especially common among children.