Acne: use of Omega 3 supplements reduces skin inflammation

Omega 3 reduces lesions, scarring as well as inflammation caused by acne and improves mood at the same time. This is the finding of a study conducted by a team of researchers from the Integrative Care Centre in Toronto, Canada, and the Lasky Skin Clinic in Beverly Hills, USA, published in Lipids in Health and ^Disease1.

Acne: it's not just a matter of fat

Acne is one of the most well-known and widespread skin diseases. In the last 50 years its incidence has increased significantly. Once counted among the problems of puberty and adolescence, today it is increasingly common among adults, especially women. Among the underlying causes of the disorder:

• Excessive production of fatty material (the sebum)
• bacteria
• hormones
• nutrition
• oxidative stress

Another very important factor isinflammation. According to some research, the influence of nutrition on the development of acne would be associated with an inflammatory effect. On the other hand, some nutrients could be useful in the treatment of acne precisely because they regulate inflammatory processes. This is the case with Omega-3s: molecules known for their ability to reduce inflammation.

Acne remedies: more Omega-3s, fewer pimples

In populations whose traditional diet has high levels of these fatty acids, the incidence of acne is reduced. Not only that, adolescents who consume large amounts of fish, the main source of Omega-3s, have far fewer preliminary acne symptoms

• oily skin
• blackheads
• papules
• pustules

Conversely, very often those who already suffer from acne are not big consumers of fish.

The study

The authors proposed that 3 boys and 2 girls, aged 18 to 23 years and with acne problems, use Omega-3 capsules. All took 4 capsules daily for 2 months, each containing 250 mg of eisosapentaenoic acid (EPA, one of the main Omega-3s found in fish) and a number of other elements that can reduce oxidative stress (selenium, chromium and a green tea extract). During the treatment, none of the study participants changed their eating habits or other aspects of lifestyle. The only other remedy used was a specific, nonaggressive cleanser. After 2 months of intake, the average number of skin lesions caused by acne decreased from 62.8 to 40.4.

Fewer skin infections, higher morale

The most significant effect was on inflammation: the average number of inflammatory-type lesions decreased from 20.8 to 6.8. The researchers also observed a 24 percent improvement in mental, emotional and social well-being independent of the results obtained on the number of skin lesions. The latter finding confirms the benefits of Omega-3s for nervous health demonstrated by other studies. According to the authors, the results obtained prompt further research into the possibility of using these nutrients in the treatment of acne.  

Source 

1. Rubin MG, Kim K, Logan AC, "Acne vulgaris, mental health and omega-3 fatty acids: a report of cases," Lipids Health Dis. 2008 Oct 13;7.