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The #1 Remedy for Blackheads That Actually Works

Dr. Eric Berg DCApril 23, 20266m
In a Nutshell

Blackheads form from excess palmitic acid (a saturated fat from sugar) that fails to convert properly due to zinc deficiency, blocking a key enzyme and leading to oxidized sebum clogs; vitamin A, which regulates oil glands, also requires zinc to work. Excess sugar worsens this by causing fatty liver, insulin spikes, and androgen surges, turning blackheads into a biomarker for metabolic issues like visceral fat. The #1 remedy: eliminate sugar via ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting, while getting zinc from red meat/shellfish/liver and vitamin A from cod liver oil for clear skin.

AI-Generated Notes

These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.

Every single blackhead on your face is made from a very specific type of fat, not bacteria or dirt. In an earlier video that got millions of views, the discussion covered androgens (male hormones) that increase oil gland activity. Too much oil gets stuck in pores, clogs them, and when exposed to oxygen, becomes oxidized oil (also called sebum), turning darker to form a blackhead. If covered, it's a whitehead. Both come from the same mechanism and have the same remedy.

Research shows one common fat in 100% of people with blackheads: too much palmitic acid. It's a saturated fat (despite the name), the most common fat in the body, found in palm oil, butter, cheese, processed food, and made by the body from excess sugar in the liver.

Normally, palmitic acid converts to another fat unique to human skin, acting as a natural antibiotic that protects against acne and inflammation in oil glands. Acne and blackheads result from a problem in this conversion, driven by a specific enzyme.

The enzyme requires zinc to function. Zinc deficiency is a major cause of acne and especially blackheads, very common, with blackheads as one of the best biomarkers of zinc levels. If you have blackheads, you're deficient in zinc. Zinc also regulates androgens.

Factors blocking the enzyme or depleting zinc:

  • Too much sugar
  • Alcohol
  • Junk foods

Vitamin A is the master controller of the oil gland. Accutane is a synthetic version of vitamin A, highly effective for acne but with many side effects. Vitamin A requires zinc to work; without it, it doesn't help.

Best source of vitamin A: liver, which is also loaded with zinc. Alternative: cod liver oil. Speaker cannot consume liver but uses cod liver oil.

Excess sugar converts to saturated fat (like palmitic acid) and causes fatty liver. The liver is concentrated with vitamin A, so fatty liver impairs vitamin A function, leading to skin problems.

Once liver is saturated with fat, it spills over into other organs and tissues as visceral fat.

Blackheads indicate metabolic disease: excess sugar consumption, potential fatty liver, visceral fat. Supplements like zinc and vitamin A won't work without addressing sugar.

As a teenager, speaker had bad acne; creams, lotions, pills didn't work due to excess sugar intake. Excess sugar increases insulin, which boosts androgens, sebaceous gland growth, and inflammation.

Best remedy: eliminate sugar. Recommendations:

  • Go on a ketogenic diet
  • Do intermittent fasting
  • Eat nutrient-dense foods
  • Get zinc from red meat, shellfish, or liver
  • Get vitamin A from cod liver oil

Skin will improve. For healthy ketogenic diet details, watch linked video.

Supplements: Search Amazon for "Dr. Berg supplements".

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