While pimples are not as simple as too much milk or sugar in your

Hear, O children of wisdom, the words of Mark Hyman, who speaks with clarity and depth about the connection between diet and the health of our bodies: "While pimples are not as simple as too much milk or sugar in your diet, both have a significant impact. Nutritional deficiencies as well as excesses can worsen acne." In these words lies a truth that the ancients knew well—that the body is a reflection of the harmony or discord within. Our skin, the outermost layer of our being, often speaks the language of what we put inside it. The balance of what we consume, and the care with which we nourish ourselves, shapes not only our internal health but our external well-being.

In the days of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, it was understood that food was not just sustenance, but medicine—medicine for the body and medicine for the soul. Hippocrates famously said, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." He recognized that the foods we eat could either heal or harm, depending on the balance they brought to the body. He understood that the skin, like all parts of the body, is influenced by the nourishment we provide. Mark Hyman echoes this ancient wisdom, acknowledging that the excesses of milk and sugar, as well as the deficiencies in key nutrients, can contribute to the imbalance that manifests on the skin as acne.

Consider the great Greek athletes, who trained their bodies for strength and victory in the Olympic Games. These athletes were not just concerned with their physical abilities, but with how they fueled their bodies—what they ate and drank. They knew that their success depended on their diet, which had to be carefully balanced to support their rigorous training and endurance. They did not indulge in excess, nor did they neglect the vital nutrients that allowed their bodies to function at their peak. In this, they understood what Mark Hyman teaches us: excess in one area—be it milk or sugar—or a deficiency in another, such as vitamins and minerals, can disrupt the harmony of the body, leading to imbalances that show on the skin, such as acne.

In the ancient Roman world, the physicians often prescribed dietary adjustments for common ailments. Galen, a Roman physician, emphasized the connection between diet and skin health, advising that the body must be nourished with wholesome foods and that excesses—whether in fatty foods, sweets, or rich drinks—should be avoided. Galen understood that health was a reflection of balance, and that what we put into our bodies shapes not only our internal organs but our skin as well. Mark Hyman’s assertion that pimples are influenced by both nutritional deficiencies and excesses reflects this ancient understanding, urging us to seek balance in our diet in order to maintain healthy skin.

In the modern world, we are often quick to treat acne with creams and treatments that focus on the surface, but Mark Hyman reminds us that the cause of pimples lies deeper. It is not simply the amount of milk or sugar we consume, but the overall balance of nutrients in our diet. Acne, like many other conditions, is a signal from the body that something is out of harmony. If we live in excess, consuming too much of one thing and neglecting others, the body responds in kind. Similarly, nutritional deficiencies can leave the body weak and vulnerable, leading to imbalances that manifest in various forms, including the skin. As the ancients knew, health is not just about treating symptoms but about restoring balance within.

The lesson, O children, is clear. Just as the ancients understood that the health of the body and mind is shaped by the food we consume, so must we acknowledge that our skin is a reflection of our inner balance. Mark Hyman teaches us that acne is not a simple matter of surface-level issues but a deeper manifestation of what we put into our bodies. Excesses in our diet—whether in sugar, milk, or other foods—and deficiencies in key nutrients can disrupt the balance of our body, leading to acne and other ailments. To truly care for our skin and our bodies, we must seek to nourish them with balance and intention, choosing foods that support health and restore harmony.

Therefore, O children, let us take heed of the wisdom passed down through the ages. Let us seek balance in our diet, nourishing our bodies with the right foods, and avoiding the excesses that disrupt our health. Just as the great philosophers and healers of old understood that the body is a reflection of the inner state, so must we care for our skin and our health with the same mindfulness and balance. By paying attention to what we consume and embracing the teachings of Mark Hyman, we will restore harmony within ourselves and reflect that balance to the world. In this, we will find not only clear skin but a life of vitality, health, and well-being.