Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting as many as 50 million Americans every year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. It develops when our pores become clogged by oil and dead skin cells, creating the optimal conditions for bad bacteria to thrive. This triggers an immune response, recruiting white blood cells and triggering inflammation.
Acne can be influenced by a range of external and internal factors, including skincare, pollutants, hormones, and certain medications. It may also be affected by our diets. Previous studies have shown that foods with a high glycemic index, like white bread, fries and sugary drinks, may increase our risk of acne. Skimmed milk has also been associated with acne, but not yogurt and cheese.
Now, a new study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, has shown that eating a Mediterranean-style diet with regular supplements of omega-3 fatty acids may significantly improve the skin's appearance for patients who suffer from acne.
In their study, the team from the University Hospital of Munich, in Germany, observed 60 individuals with mild to moderate acne over a 16-week period. Participants were asked to adhere to a strict Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetable and oily fish—and given a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
By the end of the study, the majority of participants showed significant improvements in acne lesions, as well as overall quality of life.
Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which may explain why these supplements brought down the inflammation associated with the skin condition.
Notably, 98.3 percent of participants had shown a deficiency in these essential nutrients at the start of the study, and those who reached healthy omega-3 levels by the end of the study showed the most significant improvements.
However, more work needs to be done to confirm these findings: the study was done on a small sample size of patients and there was no control group to compare how patients who were not on the dietary intervention fared over the same period.
"Future studies should build on the foundation laid by our current findings in a randomized, placebo-controlled design to improve dietary recommendations for acne patients," corresponding author Anne Gürtler, of the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, said in a statement.
"Lifestyle interventions, including dietary recommendations, should not be considered in opposition to prescription medications, but rather as a valuable adjunct to any modern acne treatment plan."
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