Women and skin conditions - Women's Health Update

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, May, 2003 by Tori Hudson

Vitamin C and other antioxidants such as vitamin E, A and selenium, as well as vitamin D may also be able to prevent environmental damage from UV rays and free radicals. Topical preparations of vitamin C stimulate collagen synthesis, improve the skin's texture, and help prevent additional damage. Vitamin C topically may also act as a natural sunscreen. Zinc supplementation may be indicated in treating eczema. Low zinc levels are common in some eczema patients and zinc is important in proper essential fatty acid metabolism. Herbal therapies including licorice appear to be helpful as topical preparations for eczema and have significant anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects when taken internally. Topical licorice preparations have been shown to be effective in reducing the inflammation and itching associated with eczema and allergic skin reactions.

Eczema and psoriasis are preventable and treatable skin conditions, but aging changes in our skin are inevitable, although they can certainly be minimized through preventive measures and supplementation. Remember the basics: protection from the sun, proper diet, avoid smoking, and stress reduction and management. Some individuals may need or want to consider supplementing with key nutrients and essential fatty acids, other individuals may want to consider topical or oral ERT. Some of us are fortunate because of good skin genes, but how good our skin looks and how healthy it remains also depend largely on sun exposure, lifestyle habits, and good nutrition.

References

(1.) Morse F, Horrobin D, Manku M. Meta analysis of placebo-controlled studies of the efficacy of Epogam in the treatment of atopic eczema. Relationship between plasma essential fatty acid changes and clinical response. British J Derm 1989; 121:75-90.

(2.) Yasumoto R, Fujita H, Yamamoto T. The effectiveness, safety and usefulness of borage oil on atopic dermatitis. Acta Dermatologica 1996;92(2):249-251.

(3.) Pullman-Mooar S, Laposata M, Lem D, et al. Alteration of the cellular fatty acid profile and the production of eicosanoids in human monocytes by gamma-linolenic acid. Arthritis and Rheumatism 1990;33(10): 1526-1533.

(4.) Andreassi M, Forleo P, DiLorio A, et al. Efficacy of gamma-linolenic acid in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. J International Medical Research 1997; 25:266-274.

(5.) Bittiner S, et al. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of fish oil in psoriasis. Lancet 1988; 1:378-380.

(6.) Grimmunger R, et al. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of N-3 fatty acid based lipid infusion in acute, extended guttate psoriasis. Clin Invest 1993;71:634-643.

(7.) Maurice F, et al. The efects of dietary supplementation with fish oil in patients with psoriasis. Br J Dermatol 1987;1117:599-606.