Acne Vulgaris
Description
- Acne vulgaris, the most common form of acne, is an inflammatory disease of the
sebaceous (oil secreting) glands and hair follicles of the skin. It is characterized
by comedones (blackheads) , papules (pimples), and pustules (blisters).1
Causes
- Many factors can cause acne. Research has centered on hormonal dysfunction and
oversecretion of sebum as possible primary causes.2 A diet high in fat can contribute
to acne vulgaris. Acne is associated with oily skin due to an excess of sebum,
the fatty secretion of the sebaceous glands. Eating fat increases sebum production.3,4
- The Western diet has been associated with an increased incidence of acne.3 A
diet low in fiber may be a contributing factor. Far less acne is found among the
black population in Zambia eating their traditional diets, than among young blacks
in the United States.4
- One new theory is that a deficiency of pantothenic acid may play a role in some
cases.5
At Risk
- This disease is most common in adolescence. Acne activity is primarily dependent
on the genetic sensitivity of the hair follicle and oil gland to androgenic (male)
hormones circulating in the blood stream.
Prevention and Management
General:
- Most teenage acne will clear as the follicles mature and become less sensitive
to the hormone induced changes, however in some, it will persist well into adulthood,
especially those with strong genetic tendencies toward acne. The most important
method of prevention is to keep the skin clean and free from dirt and oil.6
Nutritional Influences:
- A low-fat, high-fiber, nutrient-dense diet adequate in vitamins and minerals
and low in sugar, refined and convenience foods should be consumed.
- In one experimental study, patients experienced a rapid clearing of acne following
supplementation with one ounce of bran cereal daily.7 More studies are
needed to determine if a high fiber diet is useful in treating acne.
- Blood zinc levels are often lower in people who suffer from acne.8
- Studies have shown that selenium is beneficial for treating acne pustules, possibly
because one of the functions of selenium is to help fight infections. Patients
with low RBC glutathione peroxidase levels and pustular acne responded best to
selenium supplementation.9
Abstracts
Kremer JM, Bigaouette J. Nutrient intake of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
is deficient in pyridoxine, zinc, copper, and magnesium. J Rheumatol 1996 Jun;23(6):990-4 OBJECTIVE:
To determine nutrient intake of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and
compare it with the typical American diet (TAD) and the recommended dietary allowance
(RDA). METHODS: 41 patients with active RA recorded a detailed dietary history.
Information collected was analyzed for nutrient intake of energy, fats, protein,
carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals, which were then statistically compared with
the TAD and the RDA. RESULTS: Both men and women ingested significantly less
energy from carbohydrates [women 47.4% (6.4) vs 55% RDA. p = 0.0001: men = 48.9%
(7.4). p = 0.025] and more energy from fat [women = 36.8% (4.5) vs 30% RDA. p
= 0.001 and men = 35.2% (5.9) p = 0.02]. Women ingested significantly more saturated
and mono-unsaturated fat than the RDA (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04 respectively) while
men ingested significantly less polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) (p = 0.0001).
Leung LH. Pantothenic acid deficiency as the pathogenesis of acne
vulgaris. Med Hypotheses 1995 Jun;44(6):490-2.
For years, the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris has been known to be strongly influenced
by hormonal factors. However, the exact role of and the interrelationship among the
various hormones in question have not been well elucidated. Here, I wish to suggest
a radically different theory for its pathogenesis and relate its basic pathology
to a deficiency in pantothenic acid, a vitamin hitherto not known to cause any deficiency
syndrome in humans. Hence, the effect of hormonal factors in this disease entity
becomes secondary to that of the availability of pantothenic acid. A complete cure
of this condition is effected by a very liberal replacement therapy with the vitamin.
References
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4 Klurfeld DM. The Diet and Acne. Archives of Dermatology 1983;119(4):276.
5 Leung LH. Pantothenic acid deficiency as the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris.
Med Hypotheses 1995 Jun;44(6):490-2
6 Somer E. The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals. New York:HarperPerennial.
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9 Michaelsson G, Edqvist L. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity
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(Stockh) 1984;64(1):9-14.
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