Omega-3 supplementation may improve acne symptoms and lead to better quality of life, say German scientists.
Patients with mild to moderate acne who followed the Mediterranean diet and took omega-3 fatty acid supplements reported fewer skin lesions, their research suggests.
Almost all participants (98.3%) had omega-3 fatty acid deficits at the start of the study, the researchers highlighted. Acne severity “improved significantly” in those who reached target levels of the nutrient, they added.
“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,” said corresponding author Anne Guertler, from Germany’s Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
“Future studies should build on the foundation laid by our current findings in a randomised, placebo-controlled design to improve dietary recommendations for acne patients.”
Alternative or complementary approaches to managing acne, which can lead to longer-term impacts such as cysts and scarring, are welcome due to concerns around the side effects associated with prescription medication – particularly given that many of those who suffer from the condition are young in age.
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are essential nutrients known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Some research has identified a role for omega-3 supplementation in the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and skin ulcers.
The recent study, which was published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, set out to investigate the potential of these agents to alleviate acne severity, especially in the case of omega-3 deficits.
Over the 16-week study period, the participants, of whom there were 60, were encouraged to adhere to a Mediterranean diet and supplemented with algae-derived omega-3s. They were given 600 mg DHA and 300 mg EPA daily from weeks one to eight; this was increased to 800 mg DHA and 400 mg EPA for weeks eight to 16.
They were also told to adhere to a plant-focused version of the Mediterranean diet, which emphasises the consumption of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Participants’ blood EPA and DHA levels were tracked, alongside clinical assessments and standardised questionnaires.
“Objective improvements in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions were observed,” the authors wrote, adding: “While self-reported appearance worsened in four patients, overall quality of life improved.”
The researchers drew attention to a lack of clarity regarding omega-3 fatty acid target values.
“Recent studies suggest that daily omega-3 fatty acid requirements may vary between age, gender, and life circumstances, such as pregnancy and breastfeeding; however, target values are rarely assessed,” they wrote.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends that the daily intake of omega-3s through oral supplementation should not exceed 5 g, while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises a daily maximum of 3 g daily.
Balancing fatty acid intake has “significant clinical implications”, the authors warn – particularly in Western countries, where diets are characterised by an excess of omega-6 fatty acids, which “promote inflammatory pathways when consumed in excess”.
They added: “A balanced ratio may not only reduce inflammation in general, but specifically inflammatory dermatoses, including acne.”
