Can my skin break out from gluten? Red Lotus in Beaverton, Oregon talks about break out causes you may not have thought of.

. Can my skin break out from gluten? Red Lotus in Beaverton, Oregon talks about break out causes you may not have thought of.

• Grains (both gluten-containing and non-gluten) and sugar should be avoided if you struggle with acne
• Gluten may make your gut more permeable, which allows proteins to get into your bloodstream that would otherwise have been excluded, sensitizing your immune system and promoting inflammation, which can lead to acne
• When you eat starchy carbs, grains, and sugar/fructose, it causes a surge of insulin and insulin-like growth factor called IGF-1 in your body
• This surge can lead to an excess of male hormones, which cause your pores to secrete sebum, a greasy substance that attracts acne-promoting bacteria
• Elevated IGF-1 also causes skin cells known as keratinocytes to multiply, a process that is also associated with acne.

Here is an easy, great recipe that was given to us by one of our clients.
Blender Muffins
Minutes to make, packed with protein, moist, gluten free, sugar-free and totally delicious.

Peanut Butter Blender Muffins*
1 medium ripe banana, peeled
1 large egg
Heaping 1/2 c creamy store-bought peanut butter
3 tbsp honey (agave or maple syrup may be substituted)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp baking soda
Pinch salt
Heaping 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
*For double chocolate peanut butter muffins add 1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder before blending.

Preheat oven 400F. Generously grease mini muffin tins. Add everything but chocolate chips to blender, whirl on high til smooth, 1 min. Add chips, stir by hand. Using tbsp or small cookie scoop, sprayed with cooking spray, form round mounds, put in cups to 3/4 full. Bake 7-9 min (watch closely, don't burn), til tops are springy and toothpick inserted in center comes out (mostly) clean. Cool in pans, til set and cool enough to touch. Eat warm.
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*If you are allergic to peanuts, Patricia recommends substituting half hemp seed and half coconut oil and a tbsp of dark baking cocoa powder.

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