According to a recent study, increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids through dietary intervention and supplementation may alleviate acne severity.
Over a 16-week period, researchers conducted a study which included 60 patients without prescription medication. The patients adhered to a Mediterranean diet and incorporated oral algae-derived omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA) supplementation. This supplementation involved 600 mg of DHA and 300 mg of EPA from week 1 to week 8 and then 800 mg DHA and 400 mg EPA from week 8 to week 16.
Throughout four visits, blood EPA/DHA levels were tracked using the HS-omega 3 index®.
At baseline, a total of 98.3% of the patients had an EPA/DHA deficit according to the HS-omega-3 Index®. Throughout the study, the mean HS-omega-3 Index® increased from 4.9% at Visit 1 to 8.3% at Visit 4. Researchers also noted that at Visit 4, patients with acne comedonica (AC) had a significantly higher HS-omega-3 Index® compared to acne papulopustulosa (AP).
The authors further note that the severity of acne improved significantly over the course of the study, with results showing a reduction in the absolute number of noninflammatory and inflammatory lesions between Visit 1 and Visit 4. When comparing Visit 1 and Visit 4, a total of 42 patients (79.2%) self-reported an improvement in acne severity, seven (13.2%) stated it remained unchanged, and four (7.5%) reported it worsened. As it concerns the overall quality of life, the mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores decreased from 4.9 at Visit 1 to 2.4 at Visit 4, with improvement more pronounced in the AP group.
Looking at diet, it was seen that higher acne severity was linked to the consumption of refined sugar (53.3%), alcohol (53.3%), chocolate (51.7%), cow’s milk (46.7%) and saturated fats (46.7%), but not to vegetables (23%), fruit (20%), nuts (11.7%) and whole grains (11.7%).
The authors concluded, “Many patients with acne have an EPA/DHA deficit. Lifestyle interventions, including a plant-focused Mediterranean diet and EPA/DHA supplementation for 16 weeks, led to a significant increase in ω-3 FA levels, as assessed by the HS-omega-3 Index®, in patients with mild to moderate acne. Improvements in clinical appearance and quality of life were observed. While this study evaluated the approach as a stand-alone treatment, future studies should investigate ω-3 FA as an adjunct to any acne treatment plan.”
Sources:
- 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. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16434
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, dietary intake improve acne severity. (2024, July 15). Healio Dermatology. https://www.healio.com/news/dermatology/20240715/omega3-fatty-acid-supplementation-dietary-intake-improve-acne-severity
