Scientists at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany have found that following a Mediterranean diet and taking omega-3 supplements improves skin health and appearance and treats mild to moderate acne.
The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology reports that 60 volunteers with mild to moderate acne participated in this study.
Acne is a long-term inflammatory skin disease caused by the blockage of hair follicles with sebum. The disease does not pose a health risk, but it causes a cosmetic defect and greatly affects the psyche.
At the start of the study, the researchers found that 98.3 percent of the participants were deficient in omega-3 fatty acids. To see if replacing them would improve skin quality, they were asked to follow a Mediterranean diet for 16 weeks. This diet is high in omega-3 acids, which are found in fatty fish, seafood, nuts, legumes, and olive oil. In addition, they took omega-3 supplements.
The results showed that participants with acne who achieved the desired level of omega-3 fatty acids in their bodies had a significant reduction in the number of acne breakouts.
Scientists believe that a healthy diet can be an effective aid to treating acne, as diets are not able to completely replace drug therapy.