Is there a link between protein supplements and spots?

gary the great

I thought id ask the experts here first!

I have recently started back going to the gym after a long term injury and have bought some protein supplements to help along the way.
Since i started back training, ive noticed an increase in spots on my face. This has happened in the past and I wold like to know why? Is it due to the protein (i have tried different types and brands, all with no difference) or is it just the working out causing me get spots (maybe from changes in hormone levels when doing weights).

i always shower and clean my face afterwards and take plenty of water while working out.

Anyone have any pointers or suggestions?

iregk

I have heard that protein can cause spots alright. Personally I have never suffered from this. Like any food supplements can cause slight side effects. Protein being spots and wind (farts in common language). Myself at times I suffer the second one.

davyjose

It could just be that your sweat glands are being used more. Last year while working out I just wore a T-shirt and used to get spots all over my back. I got one of those Nike compression vests that wick away sweat and the spots totally disappeared.

t-ha

Take the protein supplement back out of your diet for two weeks and see if it clears up.

mloc

I reckon it could be due to the sweating, particularly if its your chest and back, and not so much your face.

However, if you really think it's the supplement, it might be due to a mild lactose or milk allergy. Try mixing a whey-only supplement with water, which would be almost lactose free.

sunnyjim

I'm allergic to dairy, as it gives me really bad acne. If I take any supplements that say 'dairy free', they make my skin 10x worse. You allergic to anything?

walt0r

It could be sevearl things, the increase in your testosterone because you've been working out more. Some would say this is a minimal increase and probably won't affect your skin, but it does affect mine.
Now I've never got acne from protein supplements alone but any that contain creatine seem to make my skin a lot worse or drinking milk and some other dairy products make me breakout. It's a case of "different strokes for different folks" because most people I know can drink milk to their hearts content and it makes no difference and the same goes for creatine. This really is a bummer for me because I love milk and i'd drink 2-3 litres a day if I could which would be a gerat weight gainer.
My skin is nearly perfect if I stay away from these.

gary the great

Im not allergic to anything and drink a litre or two of milk everyday, for the last ten years!

The spots are on my face and few on my back, around my mouth and chin and on the forehead, whch i've heard are the places spots usually appear when its hormone linked.

Ive always had a couple of odd spots here and there, but now theres loads since I started back training.

walt0r

I don't think I'm allergic to milk either, but I never had an allergy test done so I'm not sure. But I think you should try abstaining from milk for a while and see if it makes a little difference. I'd put money on it you'd improve somewhat

empirix

Yep i used to suffer from this, supplements which contain egg yoke are usually the worst, i use ON and eas whey and have also bought some nike dri fit pro 90 tops, i have the baggy ones and so my definition is not as visible as it would be in a t shirt, but hey this doesn't bother me as i am there to train hard, full stop. No spots for me anymore.

gary the great

Emprix its funny you say that cos the shakes im taking at the moment are actually egg and yoke. Willl stop that straight away. My face is more important than my body.

I am also wolfing down the milk lately, will take the advice and stop this and see if theres an improvement.

Thats 2 good sources of protein in my diet gone, its going to be difficult to replace them.

empirix

Buy some whey dude

gary the great

i will, it will have to wait until i get paid at the end of the month though.

Why the hell is whey so expensive for what it is?

tribulus

I get whey for 75E, 10lbs of it or 4.54kg.

That works out at 16.50E per kg

Most whey is roughly 75%* protein so thats 750g protein (usually with a high level of bcaa's and other goodies) for 16.50E

An average decent quality chicken breast has 27g protein per 100g*

From tesco.ie

Tesco Value Chicken Breast Fillets 454g
Every day low price 4.99
€4.99 (€11.00/kg)

Tesco Value Chicken Breast Fillets 300g
€3.29 (€10.97/kg)

M.P Chicken Breast Fillets 8pk 880g
SAVE 5.00 Was 14.99 Now 9.99
€9.99 (€11.36/kg)


Tesco Value Chicken Breast Fillets 845g
€9.29 (€11.00/kg)

T H/L Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets 1.00kg
€13.79 (€13.79/kg)

Tesco Chicken Breast Fillets 2pk
€19.29/KG

Tesco Chicken Breast Fillets 4pk
€19.29/KG

Tesco Chicken Breast Fillets 6pk
€19.29/KG

Tesco Healthy Eating Mini Chicken Fillets
€17.99/KG

So the price ranges from 11-19E/kg
BUT at only ~27g/100g meat thats 11E for 270g protein, or 405g for 16.50E worth of meat.

So you can see whey is actually quite good value if you're being sold it at a good price.

This is not an argument for choosing whey over chicken, whole foods as much as possible but you can see whey isn't expensive at all to be honest

*These are rough figures, please correct if needs be.

Linoge

Op, a couple more things to help you with your spots. When training, use your t-shirt sleeve to wipe your face rather than your towel. Change your bed sheets often. Wear a fresh t-shirt to bed. Use a an exfoliating glove or equiv on your back in the shower.

All these combined should make a difference.

rubadub

tribulus wrote:

Tesco Value Chicken Breast Fillets 300g
€3.29 (€10.97/kg)

Thats what I go for, cheapest per kg and smallest pack, bit odd, maybe since they are bigger fillets.

Tesco healthy eating grated mature cheese is high in protein and relatively low in fat, I think 34% protein and either 10 or 14% fat. Whereas most similar cheese is about 25% protein 35% fat

Degsy

rubadub wrote:

Thats what I go for, cheapest per kg and smallest pack, bit odd, maybe since they are bigger fillets.

Tesco healthy eating grated mature cheese is high in protein and relatively low in fat, I think 34% protein and either 10 or 14% fat. Whereas most similar cheese is about 25% protein 35% fat

Jesus man,tesco meat is an abomination before God and nature.The tesco "value" chicken fillets are usually pumped full of water to increase thier weight and very seldom are they fit for eating on the day of thier best before date.You'd be better off with turkey breast fillets,they allways have the name of the farm of origin printed on the label,they dont contain water and they taste better.Better again is lean turkey mince,its about 3 euros a kilo and it can be used in all sorts of recipies.Dont however rely on one foodstuff for all your protein requirments,you need to mix the sources up a bit.For example,have eggs in the morning,tuna at midday,lean steak in the afternoon and chicken or turkey fillets at night,instead of eating chicken fillets six times a day,this will stop you getting bored and also maintains a good amino acid profile.

gary the great

I trained last night and decided to try the protein without milk, to see if its milk affecting me (havent drank milk in 3 days no as opposed to about1 litre a day) and i woke up this moring with about 3 or 4 new spots across the face.

So im going to cut the protein shakes out from here on in and see if that makes a difference.

Aedh Baclamh

You can't beat buying local meat off the butcher. Quality.

rubadub

Degsy wrote:

Jesus man,tesco meat is an abomination before God and nature.The tesco "value" chicken fillets are usually pumped full of water to increase thier weight and very seldom are they fit for eating on the day of thier best before date.

I dont find them too bad. I used to go to a few butchers who were far more watered down, you can tell by the spitting in the pan and subsequent weighing. And I have seen some of these butchers recommended on boards too. I used to get them cheap in one place and they were slightly frozen, they were a week or so later again so I never went back. They had huge trays out and were obviously putting them in freezing conditions which everybody knows is terrible, (thawing & refreezing over and over).

Tesco do bags of I think O'Kane breasts cheap at the moment, they are individually wrapped so stay fresher and are ideal for freezing, think it is 11 per kg

Degsy wrote:

You'd be better off with turkey breast fillets,they allways have the name of the farm of origin printed on the label,they dont contain water and they taste better.Better again is lean turkey mince,its about 3 euros a kilo and it can be used in all sorts of recipies.

I never tried the turkey fillets, but I found the mince had even more water, I would have to strain it off like frying frozen prawns. Also I am not fond of mince since god knows what is in it. I now only make shredded beef from rib steak. Cut the fat off and cut it up really fine with a scissors, great for spag bol.

And yes I also get protein from many sources, fish, nuts, milk, cheese, chicken, meat, prawns, eggs, some pork, whey.

Many think of whey simply as a supplement as though it is a last resort or something, but it is very beneficial and essential for getting a good variety.

mloc

M+S Oakham Fillets ftw

rediguana

I take Tribulus Terrestris and it has a DISASTROUS effect on my skin. You didn't mention if you're taking it or not, but if you are - you've found your reason!

Dragan

rediguana wrote:

I take Tribulus Terrestris and it has a DISASTROUS effect on my skin. You didn't mention if you're taking it or not, but if you are - you've found your reason!

Thats not the Trib dude, it's the Test.

Lamps

Ye rediguana its the test.

i am on steroids for a hormonal deficency in test. I always had a lovely clear face until i started on them, i also have a very unmasculine body though!

Even when i take some protein i come out in even more spots though, so just tend to do without.

because_I_can

a high protein diet is usually good for your skin. keep on the whey. its good and has no effect on acne.

to prevent acne - follow this http://www.acne.org/regimen.html
buy benzol peroxide cream 5% and clearasil wash. wash mornin and night but very lightly to not agravate anything. at night apply the BP lightly all over face, neck chest back. Moisturise with Simple moisturiser if you need it. never itch, scratch, squeeze, pick. problem solved after about 3 days.

this applies to anyone!