A study published in the February 2005 edition of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology re-ignites the acne diet controversy. The studys director, Clement A. Adebamowo, MD, and his team reported finding a positive association between acne and milk consumption.

Dr. Adebamowo based the study on a 1998 high school diet questionnaires completed by 47,355 women, and data collected from physicians who, in 1989, diagnosed teenagers with severe acne.

Dr. Adebamowo hypothesized that the acne association with milk could arise from the presence of hormones and bioactive molecules in milk. Iodine may also provoke the acne flare-ups.

Excess iodine can irritate the pores and trigger acne.

Iodine is a trace mineral that regulates thyroid hormones while promoting normal growth and development. It is present in iodized salt, seafood and crops grown in iodine rich soil.

The Recommended Daily Allowance, RDA, of iodine for adults is 150 mcg, but one cup of milk has 88mcg of iodine.

The easiest way to determine if milk irritates your skin is to stop consuming dairy products for three to four days. If you dont notice any new acne eruptions after this pause in milk drinking, you can moderate you intake of milk in the future to keep zits at bay.