diet
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
The management of acne is primarily pharmacologic. There is some emerging evidence that a low glycemic load diet may decrease acne lesions, however the evidence is mild, inconsistent, and flawed. Diet should not replace pharmacologic management of acne, but may be suggested in conjunction with the appropriate pharmacotherapy. There is also limited evidence that dairy may have an association with acne severity. This again is the result of mostly inadequate studies. Overall there is not enough evidence to be able to knowledgeably advise acne patients on the role of nutrition in relation to acne etiology. The dietary theories, however do not have any safety concerns and the additional benefits of a decrease in BMI and increased insulin sensitivity have been observed. It is therefore appropriate for a patient to try one of these diets in conjunction with pharmacologic treatment.
References:
1. Smith, Robyn N., et al. A low-glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patients: a randomized controlled trial. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2007;86(1):107-115.
2. Spencer, Elsa H., Hope R. Ferdowsian, and Neal D. Barnard. Diet and acne: a review of the evidence. International journal of dermatology. 2009;48(4):339-347.
3. Davidovici, Batya B., and Ronni Wolf. The role of diet in acne: facts and controversies. Clinics in dermatology. 2007;28(1):12-16.
The management of acne is primarily pharmacologic. There is some emerging evidence that a low glycemic load diet may decrease acne lesions, however the evidence is mild, inconsistent, and flawed. Diet should not replace pharmacologic management of acne, but may be suggested in conjunction with the appropriate pharmacotherapy. There is also limited evidence that dairy may have an association with acne severity. This again is the result of mostly inadequate studies. Overall there is not enough evidence to be able to knowledgeably advise acne patients on the role of nutrition in relation to acne etiology. The dietary theories, however do not have any safety concerns and the additional benefits of a decrease in BMI and increased insulin sensitivity have been observed. It is therefore appropriate for a patient to try one of these diets in conjunction with pharmacologic treatment.
References:
1. Smith, Robyn N., et al. A low-glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patients: a randomized controlled trial. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2007;86(1):107-115.
2. Spencer, Elsa H., Hope R. Ferdowsian, and Neal D. Barnard. Diet and acne: a review of the evidence. International journal of dermatology. 2009;48(4):339-347.
3. Davidovici, Batya B., and Ronni Wolf. The role of diet in acne: facts and controversies. Clinics in dermatology. 2007;28(1):12-16.