Uncensored

QUESTION: I read MUSCLE INSIDER and think you guys do an amazing job of telling it like it is!  My problem is that whenever I increase my calories in the off-season, my face breaks out like a pizza face and I’m sick of it! But when I go on a low-calorie diet, my face clears right up. What’s up with this?

ANSWER: Believe it or not but I used to have the worst skin in my entire high school! I got cysts, boils, blackheads, etc. all over my face, throat and even my back. People swore I was on juice not because of the 18 inch arms I had, but because my face looked like raw hamburger meat! Yup, sad but true. Research has shown that varying the ratios of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) can affect some enzyme-driven chemical reactions in your body. For example, the conversion of Testosterone to the nasty androgen Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can be inhibited simply by eating more than 40% of your daily calories as protein. Keep your protein way up, and you’ll help keep acne away. Analyze your macronutrient ratios; you may be eating this much or more protein while on a low calorie diet. But when you’re switching to your off-season eating regimen, this protein ratio may be dropping below this 40% as you take in more carbs and fats. So try eating 40% of your calories from protein pre-contest and off-season. Many bodybuilders tan two to three times a week all year long to help keep acne from forming and to look leaner for the ladies! The UV rays kill the bacteria that cause acne. I’ve found this to be effective but of course tanning does damage the skin and makes your face leathery! Try rubbing Benzoyl Peroxide (10%) on your entire face (not just the affected areas) twice daily - once when you wake up and once again before bed. In both cases, ALWAYS wash your face with a medicated soap and use a face cloth to scrub/exfoliate your skin. This unclogs your pores and allows the Benzoyl Peroxide to get inside your pores, which is where the infection/acne is.