Since being in the Zone, has anyone noted any skin improvement? especially people with acne? Here's my "problem": I never had any problem with my skin until 2 years ago. At the time I wasn't on birth control pill. I changed my diet from eating junk food to eating mostly carbs and no fat at all, that's when I noticed the change. I take the pill now, one that is supposedly also helping with the acne, but I don't see any change at all. In fact it's getting worse and worse. My cheeks go red very easily as if I were allergic to something. I haven't been long on the zone, but I wanted to know if someone had a positive experience with the zone concerning their skin. I'm scared it'll never go away and/or will leave scars.

Being in the zone definitely helps with my skin - all things hormonal really - I just don't seem to have any problems or variations that much no matter the time of month. It's great! Hope that helps!

Different pills work differently with different people (and different diets!) You may want to discuss if this pill is really right for you with your doctor--I had the same reaction with one that supposedly was designed to help with acne. You may just need an alternate mix of the hormones, etc. that make BC pills work. This helped me. The redness you mention may be something other than acne, such as rosacea or something. I would discuss this with your doctor to make sure, because you don't want to risk scarring if you can help it. The Zone is a very healthful diet and (if the doc is familiar with it) your doctor will likely encourage you. How can they say no to lean protein, lots of fruits and veggies, and monounsaturated fat? The more bad chemicals (fast food, processed food, preservatives) in your food, the more you will see it in your body (the movie Supersize Me was proof that you are what you eat!) The Zone cannot hurt your skin--it can only help. But I would encourage you to make sure you have discussed the other issues with a medical professional. It may take tinkering (I switched 3 times in 5 months, but finally found the one for me). Good luck!

Hi VZONE, Work backwards: Your skin is fine. You start eating a bunch of carbs and no fat and your skin gets lousy. So stop eating all those carbs, add fat back in-you do NEED it- and it should revert. Certainly worth a shot. hth

[color=darkred:88706aa84f]In addition to fatboy's astute observation, ultra-refined fish oil will do wonders for clearing your skin.[/color:88706aa84f]

Hello! Thank you all for your answers. RBrownson: I took an appointment with my doctor for next week. I visited a website about rosacea, I don't think that's what I have (I hope!) but they had a list of food with what one should avoid as they could trigger flushes or irritations (including eggplants, I never would have guessed!), and I've taken these items out of my diet. I'm on my new pill since 3 weeks only so I'll wait a little more (this is already my third). Sklnorr: I bought Omega 3 pills, I'll see how it works. Is it different from what you suggested? Fatboyslim: You are right. I really wonder how I could have thought that a lot of carbs and no fat would be good for me! I've been on the zone for one week only, it's a really nice feeling to eat healhy again. Thanks again- to the 4 of you- for your advice. :) Here the list of food which COULD cause skin irritation : * Liver * Yogurt * Sour cream * Cheese (except cottage cheese) * Chocolate * Vanilla * Soy sauce * Yeast extract (bread is ok) * Vinegar * Eggplant * Avocados * Spinach * Broad-leaf beans and pods, including lima, navy or pea * Citrus fruits, including tomatoes, bananas, red plums, raisins or figs * Spicy and thermally hot foods * Foods high in histamine * Alcohol, especially red wine, beer, bourbon, gin, vodka or champagne * Hot drinks, including hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee or tea

[quote:7a2c4e6cbb="vzone"]. Sklnorr: I bought Omega 3 pills, I'll see how it works. Is it different from what you suggested?[/quote:7a2c4e6cbb] [color=darkred:7a2c4e6cbb]You're welcome. I'm glad to help. It depends upon what you purchased. But if you bought them at a store, then most likely they are not ultra-refined, and would not give you the same result. To my knowledge, ultra-refined fish oil is only available through mail order from a limited number of companies. In addition, ultra-refined is the only type of fish oil safe to ingest in regard to being almost completely free of the dangerous toxins found in today's oceans (and fish). Ultra refined fish oil is highly purified and concentrated. My family uses Zone Labs Omega RX, which I highly recommend (yes, I've tried other brands). You can find links to it on the homepage of this site. If you have questions about ultra-refined fish oil, also referred to as "'pharmaceutical grade fish oil", a search of these forums will yield tons of info.[/color:7a2c4e6cbb]

Thanks for your message. I bought them in a store, so as you said they're probably not the best. I visited the Zone Labs page as you suggested. The only problem is that I live in Europe, it is a bit expensive for me. Recently I read a good book by Dr.David Servan-Schreiber. On his web site I found links to different european companies selling omega 3 pills. This one seems interesting: It says "OM3 has a minimum of 90% of omega-3, the highest concentration currently available. Composition: Concentrated fish oil in the form of ethyl esters (measured at 90% omega-3) Natural Extract of vitamin E certified non-GMO (1.5mg per capsule or 0.3g per 100g of oil) Containing : Fish gelatin and glycerine." I have ordered some, I'll give it a try. Thanks again for your help :)

[quote:4eb4971cd1="vzone"]Thanks for your message. I bought them in a store, so as you said they're probably not the best. I visited the Zone Labs page as you suggested. The only problem is that I live in Europe, it is a bit expensive for me. Recently I read a good book by Dr.David Servan-Schreiber. On his web site I found links to different european companies selling omega 3 pills. This one seems interesting: It says "OM3 has a minimum of 90% of omega-3, the highest concentration currently available. Composition: Concentrated fish oil in the form of ethyl esters (measured at 90% omega-3) Natural Extract of vitamin E certified non-GMO (1.5mg per capsule or 0.3g per 100g of oil) Containing : Fish gelatin and glycerine." I have ordered some, I'll give it a try. Thanks again for your help :)[/quote:4eb4971cd1] This website is for the exchange of ideas. We remove all links that promote competing products. Thanks for your consideration.

[quote:76a71547a9="vzone"]Since being in the Zone, has anyone noted any skin improvement? especially people with acne? ...[/quote:76a71547a9] Sorry for the late reply but I must tell you that all the advice given here is dead on of course but the one major thing that helps clear my skin up is drinking LOTS of water every day and not being worried about salt content too much - not that I ever did... I mean I started adding a little bit of sea salt to my foods and salads and making sure I drink LOTS of water and my skin is as nice as ever. Not perfect but neither is my zoning lately. Whatever you do, make sure you take your fish oil and drink lots and lots of water. Make sure your urine is near clear whenever you go to the bathroom. I noticed that it's good to spread the water out throughout the day otherwise it seems like it just goes right through and you are urinating the water you just drank... Anyways, just keep that in mind. Pat

Ok itsallabout I have to remind myself to drink enough water, I always forget! I also noticed that when I drink a lot of water I feel less tired and more energetic. I have another question: I was thinking of taking B12 vitamin, C vitamin, folic acid and zinc supplements, as I read it could help the skin to repigment ( I begin to have vitiligo). Can I take those AND take fish oil? Do you know if it will counteract?

[quote:89b3d87d4f="vzone"]Ok itsallabout I have to remind myself to drink enough water, I always forget! I also noticed that when I drink a lot of water I feel less tired and more energetic. I have another question: I was thinking of taking B12 vitamin, C vitamin, folic acid and zinc supplements, as I read it could help the skin to repigment ( I begin to have vitiligo). Can I take those AND take fish oil? Do you know if it will counteract?[/quote:89b3d87d4f] Fish oil and other supplements are compatible with each other and are recommended by Dr. Sears. See the drsears.com home page and follow links to vitamin products.

Thanks for answering so fast Dennis. :)

[quote:357b9a2033="itsallaboutbalance"]Whatever you do, make sure you take your fish oil and drink lots and lots of water. Make sure your urine is near clear whenever you go to the bathroom. I noticed that it's good to spread the water out throughout the day otherwise it seems like it just goes right through and you are urinating the water you just drank...[/quote:357b9a2033] I was re-reading through this forum and found your post interesting. I am drinking the water throughout the day, my urine IS near or clear whenever I go to the bathroom, the problem is I seem to be going to the bathroom all the time!! It does go right through me...I want to start drinking more but I won't get any work done. Do you or does anyone else have additional suggestions or ideas on how to space out the trips to the bathroom?

I suggest you read Dr. Perricone's "The Acne Prescription" to get some more insights into your skin and carbohydrates. You need to be eating a balanced diet (Zone) and lots of fish, specially salmon. If you are eating mostly carbohydrates, you are probably not getting enough protein, probably the most important of the food groups. Too many high density carbs, such as sugar, pasta, white bread, white rice, baked goods, etc. can play havoc with all areas of your health. The pill balances out the hormonal component of the causes of Acne. Neva

I personally always have problems with birth control pills. I think my body knows I am messing with something I'm not supposed to be messing with :)

Lots of filtered water, exercise, lemon flavoured cod liver oil (I use it on salads too!) and making sure I get healthy fats in my diet have helped my skin immensely! And getting off the birth control but your mileage may vary :)

Also, I personally think that it is the KIND of carbs you eat. If 85% of your carbs are fruits and vegetables, it will be kinder to your skin as sugar=aging. Hate that fact, personally as I am a sugar lover. So, I switched to fruits :) lol

Also, I personally make sure to limit (NOT exclude) dairy and have a few vegetarian days a week and use only fish (mostly and some soy) for my protein (was a veggie now a pescatarian - or whatever you call veggies that eat fish =)) Some soy. Not entirely sure about the quality of North American soy in terms of health. There is a lot of crap in commercial animal products that I don't think is good for you and I personally think accelerates aging (why kids are hitting puberty so young too I think)

Anyway, too long =) But hope it gives you some ideas you can incorporate into your diet.

PS> It doesn;t SOUND like rosacea from your desription, but always good to check. I was a medical aesthetician years ago =P