Adolescent Acne and Dietary Iodine

Acne e dieta: verdade ou mito?

“…As a starting point, to detect the influence of dietary habits in acne vulgaris, there is a tendency to investigate the food habits of non-Western populations since they do not have acne. [17][18][19][20]32 In their diet, there are no processed foods, dairy, sugars and refined oils. Instead, they eat mainly fresh food, fruit, vegetables, meat, chicken, and grilled seafood.…”

“…Instead, they eat mainly fresh food, fruit, vegetables, meat, chicken, and grilled seafood. [17][18][19][20]32 Based on recent scientific reports, a statement has become more and more accepted: there is a lower incidence of acne in non-Western populations. This incidence increases when a Western dietary pattern is adopted.…”

“…The authors concluded that in patients who lived in the costal region, with greater salt comsumption, the prevalence of severe acne (cystic and with scarring) was higher. 32 Threfore, it is advisable to recommend as a fundamental step in the treatment of acne to avoid the ingestion of dairy and carbohydrates with a high glycemic index to reduce the levels of IGF-1, which acts synergically with dihydrotestosterone on the pilosebaceous unit of genetically predisposed individuals. 33 …”

Diet and acne

“…Kelp, a form of seaweed rich in iodine, and other systemic drugs containing iodine can cause this characteristic acneiform eruption 102,103 In 1961, the relationship between acne and iodine was first refuted when it was found that adolescents who consumed a diet high in seafood and fish, both rich in iodine, had lower rates of acne. 66 However, this study was confounded by the patients' high dietary content of omega-3 fatty acids, which, as discussed earlier, may be therapeutic in acne. More recently, it has been hypothesized that the association between milk and acne reported by Adebamowo et al 17 may be a result of the iodine content of milk, 33 which can vary with time of year, location, fortification of animal feed, and use of iodophor-sanitizing solutions.…”

“…One epidemiologic study in 1961 found that adolescents consuming large amounts of fish and seafood, rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, appeared to be less likely to manifest acneiform lesions on examination. 66 A very limited case series of 5 patients with acne using an omega-3-based dietary supplement [containing eicosapentaenoic acid from fish oil, (e)epigallocatechin-3-gallate, zinc gluconate, selenium, and chromium] suggested possible improvement in inflammatory papules and global aspects of well-being. 67 Further research is clearly needed to establish the clinical significance of omega-3 fatty acids in treatment of acne.…”