Beyond the Surface - Skin Community - Consumption

Deficiencies in nutrients could be implicated with acne due to various effects on metabolism. Gut issues and #deleted-channel could result in these vitamins not being absorbed properly from food.

Vitamin A

See https://discord.com/channels/1169738819688468501/1270719560718352536 (edited)

Chip changed the channel name: Consumption - Lack of Certain Nutrients 1/12/2023 12:11 PM

Omega3 fatty acids (but be careful consuming too much)

I suggest getting these from animal sources, as plant based sources of omega3 have a low conversion efficiency.

Treatment of Resistant Acne Vulgaris in Adolescents Using Dietary Supplementation with Magnesium, Phosphate and Fatty Acids (Omega 6 and 7): Comparison with 13-Cis-Retinoic Acid
Effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid and gamma-linolenic acid on acne vulgaris: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial
Omega-3 fatty acids can improve moderate to severe inflammatory acne, likely due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Faghani, H., & Ansar, A. (2014). Comparison of Efficacy of Doxycycline vs. Doxycycline with Omega- 3 in Treatment of Acne vulgaris, a triple- blinded clinical trial. Arak Medical University Journal, 17, 57-65.
Huang, Y., Liu, F., Lai, J., Jiang, S., Tan, X., Chen, L., Xu, Y., Xiong, X., & Deng, Y. (2024). The adjuvant treatment role of ω-3 fatty acids by regulating gut microbiota positively in the acne vulgaris. The Journal of dermatological treatment, 35(1), 2299107. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2023.2299107
Guertler, A., Neu, K., Lill, D., Clanner-Engelshofen, B., French, L. E., & Reinholz, M. (2024). Exploring the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in acne patients: A prospective intervention study. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 10.1111/jocd.16434. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16434
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23206895/

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Zinc

Chan, H., Chan, G., Santos, J., Dee, K., & Co, J. K. (2017). A 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. International journal of dermatology, 56(6), 686–690. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.13607
Verma, K. C., Saini, A. S., & Dhamija, S. K. (1980). Oral zinc sulphate therapy in acne vulgaris: a double-blind trial. Acta dermato-venereologica, 60(4), 337–340. https://doi.org/10.2340/0001555560337340
Vahlquist, A., Michaëlsson, G., & Juhlin, L. (1978). Acne treatment with oral zinc and vitamin A: effects on the serum levels of zinc and retinol binding protein (RBP). Acta dermato-venereologica, 58(5), 437–442.
Dréno, B., Amblard, P., Agache, P., Sirot, S., & Litoux, P. (1989). Low doses of zinc gluconate for inflammatory acne.. Acta dermato-venereologica, 69 6, 541-3 .
Dréno, B. (2001). Multicenter Randomized Comparative Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of Zinc Gluconate versus Minocycline Hydrochloride in the Treatment of Inflammatory Acne vulgaris. Dermatology, 203, 135 - 140. https://doi.org/10.1159/000051728.
Cunliffe (1979). A double‐blind trial of a zinc sulphate/citrate complex and tetracycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris. British Journal of Dermatology, 101. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1979.tb05626.x.
Rumu, H. (2023). The Association between Serum Zinc Levels and Zinc Supplementation in Topical Retinoids Treated Acne Vulgaris Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences. https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2023.v11i09.018.
Tolino, E. (2021). An Open-label Study Comparing Oral Zinc to Lymecycline in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 14 5, 56-58 .

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Selenium

Selenium Supplementation and the Effects on Reproductive Outcomes, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Michaëlsson, G., & Edqvist, L. E. (1984). Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in acne vulgaris and the effect of selenium and vitamin E treatment. Acta dermato-venereologica, 64(1), 9–14.
Sahib, A., Al-Anbari, H., Salih, M., & Abdullah, F. (2013). Effects of Oral Antioxidants on Lesion Counts Associated with Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Papulopustular Acne. Journal of clinical & experimental dermatology research, 3, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9554.1000163. ## Chromium
The Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Endocrine Profiles, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial ## B Vitamins & Zinc
Shalita, A. R., Falcon, R., Olansky, A., Iannotta, P., Akhavan, A., Day, D., Janiga, A., Singri, P., & Kallal, J. E. (2012). Inflammatory acne management with a novel prescription dietary supplement. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 11(12), 1428–1433.
"Nicomide tablets effectively treat acne vulgaris and rosacea when used alone or with other topical therapies, offering a useful alternative to oral antibiotics." Niren, N., & Torok, H. (2006). The Nicomide Improvement in Clinical Outcomes Study (NICOS): results of an 8-week trial.. Cutis, 77 1 Suppl, 17-28 .
Novel combination for the treatment of acne differentiated based on gender: a new step towards personalized treatment. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0392-0488.18.05710-3 ## Iron
Isotretinoin therapy effectively reverses low serum iron levels and moderate anemia in severe nodulocystic acne patients, suggesting that iron deficiency is not the cause.

https://doi.org/10.1001/ARCHDERM.1985.01660020072020 (edited)

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) - possibly Coenzyme A deficiency - can be taken with L-Carnitine

Feasibility, Tolerability, Safety and Efficacy of a Pantothenic Acid Based Dietary Supplement in Subjects with Mild to Moderate Facial Acne Blemishes
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of a Novel Pantothenic Acid-Based Dietary Supplement in Subjects with Mild to Moderate Facial Acne
Pantothenic Acid, B5 for Acne by Jeffrey Dach MD
A Stone that Kills two Birds: How Pantothenic Acid Unveils the Mysteries of Acne Vulgaris and Obesity
Bissonnette, Robert et al. “Olumacostat glasaretil, a novel topical sebum inhibitor, in the treatment of acne vulgaris: A phase IIa, multicenter, randomized, vehicle-controlled study.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology vol. 76,1 (2017): 33-39. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2016.08.053 ## Vitamin B12

https://discord.com/channels/1169738819688468501/1263661434181783632

Vitamin E

Michaëlsson, G., & Edqvist, L. E. (1984). Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in acne vulgaris and the effect of selenium and vitamin E treatment. Acta dermato-venereologica, 64(1), 9–14.
Chan, H., Chan, G., Santos, J., Dee, K., & Co, J. K. (2017). A 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. International journal of dermatology, 56(6), 686–690. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.13607

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Omega fatty acid , copper ,zinc ,selenium, beta carotene ,cryptoxanthin, vitamin C and E Yadav, S., Khan, F., & Tanwar, R. (2023). “OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN ACNE: A NON RANDOMIZED CASE CONTROL STUDY.”. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. https://doi.org/10.36106/ijsr/7904873.

Oral formulation + diet modification vs Isotretinoin

Magnesium, phosphate, omega 6 (linoleic acid calcium salt - C18:2 fatty acid Ca salt), and omega 7 (palmitoleic acid calcium salt - C16:1 fatty acid Ca salt) Limitations:

Single blind, can introduce bias

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374195197_Treatment_of_Resistant_Acne_Vulgaris_in_Adolescents_Using_Dietary_Supplementation_with_Magnesium_Phosphate_and_Fatty_Acids_Omega_6_and_7_Comparison_with_13-Cis-Retinoic_Acid#pf8 (edited)

Zinc page 2

Meta-analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32860489/

Eeffat, K., Javad, S., Mahdi, A., Morteza, G., Azimeh, D., & Armagan, G. (2013). COMPARING THE CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DOXYCYCLINE CAPSULE WITH ZINC SULFATE CAPSULE IN ACNE VULGARIS THERAPY. Medical journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, 35, 34-39.
Thomas, J. (2018). Role of zinc in acne: a study of 77 patients. International Journal of Research in Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.18203/ISSN.2455-4529.INTJRESDERMATOL20182980.
Salah E. (2022). Oral Zinc as a Novel Adjuvant and Sparing Therapy for Systemic Isotretinoin in Acne Vulgaris: A Preliminary Comparative Study. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 15(10), 58–61.
Sardana, K., & Garg, V. K. (2010). An observational study of methionine-bound zinc with antioxidants for mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Dermatologic therapy, 23(4), 411–418. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8019.2010.01342.x - improvement in papules and pustules, not nodules though

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Magnesium

de Souza Pereira R. (2023). Treatment of Resistant Acne Vulgaris in Adolescents Using Dietary Supplementation with Magnesium, Phosphate and Fatty Acids (Omega 6 and 7): Comparison with 13-Cis-Retinoic Acid. Journal of dietary supplements, 20(5), 706–716. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2022.2100550
Saleh, B., Anbar, Z., & Majid, A. (2017). Serum Trace Elements (Zinc, Copper and Magnesium) Status in Iraqi Patients with Acne Vulgaris Case- Controlled Study). Iraqi Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences ( P-ISSN 1683 - 3597 E-ISSN 2521 - 3512). https://doi.org/10.31351/vol20iss2pp44-49. Interestingly, one study found that higher magnesium levels are associated with more severe acne vulgaris, with a moderate positive correlation between the two variables.

Tamara, A., Anggowarsito, J., & Tandyono, V. (2021). ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MAGNESIUM LEVELS AND THE SEVERITY OF ACNE VULGARIS. Journal of Widya Medika Junior. https://doi.org/10.33508/JWMJ.V3I4.3504.

Vitamin D

Comparison of Vitamin D Levels in Patients with and without Acne: A Case-Control Study Combined with a Randomized Controlled Trial
The impact of active vitamin D administration on the clinical outcomes of acne vulgaris
Lei, X., Zhou, Q., Wang, Y., Fu, S., Li, Z., & Chen, Q. (2023). Serum and supplemental vitamin D levels and insulin resistance in T2DM populations: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Scientific reports, 13(1), 12343. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39469-9
Abdelaziz, W., Farahat, T., Shaheen, H., Gaber, M., & Khalil, N. (2021). Effect of vitamin D supplementation on patients with acne vulgaris: An intervention study. , 5, 177-187. https://doi.org/10.21608/EFMJ.2021.61198.1066.
Role of vitamin D supplement adjunct to topical benzoyl peroxide in acne: a randomized double-blinded controlled study. https://doi.org/10.1097/JW9.0000000000000163
Abdel-Wahab, Hossam M et al. “Calcipotriol: A novel tool in treatment of acne vulgaris.” Dermatologic therapy vol. 35,9 (2022): e15690. doi:10.1111/dth.15690
Mahran, Ayman et al. “Efficacy and safety of calcipotriol as a potential topical treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, controlled, triple blinded, split-face clinical trial.” Clinical and experimental dermatology vol. 49,4 (2024): 348-355. doi:10.1093/ced/llad371

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