Omega-3 improves acne severityExploring the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in acne patients: A prospective intervention study.
High relevance for acne treatment
We observed that omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, could be beneficial for patients struggling with acne. Over 16 weeks, 60 participants followed a Mediterranean diet and received algae-derived omega-3 supplements.
We found that most patients initially had low omega-3 levels, but these rose significantly during the study. Acne severity showed notable improvement, especially in those achieving optimal omega-3 levels. Though four patients reported worsened appearance, overall quality of life improved for the majority.
Read More
Eicosapentaenoic acid helps acneExploring the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in acne patients: A prospective intervention study.
Directly addresses EPA's effects
We focused our research on the potential benefits of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid, for individuals suffering from acne. Over a period of 16 weeks, we encouraged 60 patients to follow a Mediterranean diet while taking algae-derived EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements. Our goal was to see if increasing their omega-3 levels could improve acne symptoms.
At the start of the study, an impressive 98.3% of the participants were found to have low levels of EPA/DHA. By the end of the study, we observed a significant increase in their omega-3 levels from an average of 4.9% to 8.3%. This boost correlated with noticeable improvements in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions.
Interestingly, we noted that while individual perceptions of appearance varied—some reporting no improvement—overall quality of life for the participants enhanced significantly, particularly in those with papulopustular acne. Alongside dietary changes, participants reduced their intake of cow’s milk and dairy products, and we did not encounter any negative side effects from the intervention.
Ultimately, our findings suggest that boosting omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, through diet and supplementation can effectively help manage acne severity in patients.
Read More
We investigated the relationship between docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), and the occurrence of acne. Using a method called Mendelian randomization, we looked at how genetic variations associated with DHA might influence acne development in large groups of participants, including over 115,000 individuals from the UK and nearly 364,000 of Finnish ancestry.
Our findings revealed that higher levels of DHA are actually linked to a lower risk of developing acne. Specifically, we found that a significant increase in DHA levels or its proportion compared to total fatty acids corresponded with a reduced likelihood of acne. In contrast, higher levels of linoleic acid (LA), another type of PUFA, were associated with an increased acne risk.
This suggests that balancing our intake of these fatty acids might be important for skin health. Notably, the results pointed towards a genetic connection involving the FADS1 gene, which appears to play a role in how these fatty acids affect our skin.
In conclusion, increasing DHA could be beneficial in protecting against acne, while excessive linoleic acid might have the opposite effect. Overall, our study highlights the importance of these fatty acids in understanding acne risk better.
Read More
DHA improves acne severityExploring the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in acne patients: A prospective intervention study.
Strong link between study and findings
We explored the potential benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid, in treating acne. Over 16 weeks, 60 participants followed a Mediterranean diet paired with algae-derived DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation. We aimed to boost their omega-3 levels and observe any changes in their acne severity.
Remarkably, our study found that nearly all participants started with a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids. After the dietary and supplementation intervention, the average omega-3 index rose significantly, indicating improved levels of DHA and EPA. More importantly, participants experienced notable reductions in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions.
While a few individuals reported that their skin appearance worsened, the collective quality of life among participants improved, especially for those with papulopustular acne. They also became more aware of dietary triggers and made healthier choices, like reducing cow's milk and dairy intake. Overall, we saw a promising link between increased omega-3 levels and improved acne outcomes.
Read More
Impact of fatty acids on acneExploring clinical and genetic evidence in association between unsaturated fatty acids and acne.
Moderate relevance due to population focus
We systematically reviewed studies on how omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids affect acne. Our findings indicate that omega-3s may help reduce acne, while some omega-6s could exacerbate it.
Additionally, our genetic analysis explored how these fatty acids interact with key enzymes related to acne. However, it's important to note that the study's population was limited primarily to Europeans, which may not reflect the broader community.
More diverse research is needed to fully understand these effects across different groups.
Read More