Lactoferrin shows promise for acneEfficacy and tolerability of oral lactoferrin supplementation in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: an exploratory study.
Relevant to acne treatment research
We explored the potential benefits of oral bovine lactoferrin as a dietary supplement for individuals struggling with mild to moderate acne vulgaris. This study involved 43 young participants who took chewable lactoferrin tablets twice a day for eight weeks.
By the end of the study, we observed promising results. Participants experienced an average reduction in acne lesions. Specifically, there was a 20% decrease in inflammatory lesions, a more significant 23.5% reduction in non-inflammatory lesions, and an overall improvement in total lesion counts of 22.5%. Notably, around 77% of the subjects saw a decrease in their total lesion counts, indicating that lactoferrin may have a positive effect.
Importantly, we found that lactoferrin was well tolerated, with no reported adverse effects related to the supplement during the trial. Although our study had some limitations due to its open-label design without a control group, the results encourage further research into lactoferrin's efficacy for acne treatment, particularly through randomized controlled trials.
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Lactoferrin plus vitamins reduces acneA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of lactoferrin with vitamin E and zinc as an oral therapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Limited isolation of iron effects
We conducted a rigorous study to assess how a combination of lactoferrin, vitamin E, and zinc influences acne vulgaris. In our research, we used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design with 168 participants aged 13-40. Over a period of three months, subjects received either the supplement or a placebo, taking the capsules twice a day.
What we found was promising. The group taking lactoferrin with vitamin E and zinc experienced a notable decrease in acne lesions, starting as early as two weeks into the trial. By the tenth week, the reduction in total lesions peaked at an impressive 28.5%. We also observed significant improvements in both comedonal and inflammatory lesions during this time frame.
It's important to note that while lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein, our study does not isolate the effect of iron on acne since the treatment involved additional components. Importantly, we did not encounter any adverse effects during the trial, suggesting the treatment's safety.
Overall, our findings suggest that this oral regimen could be an effective option for those dealing with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, but we cannot definitively state how much iron itself contributes to these results.
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Iron's potential in acne careThe use of iron chelators in biocidal compositions: evaluation of patent, WO2014059417A1.
Moderate relevance to acne treatment
We investigated how iron chelators could boost the effectiveness of anti-microbial agents in treating acne. The patent application details compositions that combine these chelators with various anti-microbial agents, claiming an enhancement in biocidal activity.
These mixtures increase the potential efficacy of acne treatments, providing a promising avenue for individuals struggling with this condition. Although the formulations appear beneficial, we note that the isolated impact of the iron chelators cannot be fully assessed since they are used alongside other treatments.
Overall, the potential of these iron-chelator combinations warrants further exploration, especially for wound-healing applications and various everyday products, like personal care items and cleaning supplies.
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