Fish Oil May Improve Eczema

Harry Hirsute · � #1 � 02-06-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Background: The increasing prevalence of atopic eczema has been linked to the alteration of the Western diet, namely the reduced consumption of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and an increased omega-6 (n-6) PUFA intake.

Objectives: The aim of the pilot study was to determine the efficacy of dietary n-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in patients with atopic eczema.

Methods: Fifty-three patients suffering from atopic eczema aged 18-40 years were recruited into this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial and received either DHA 5.4 g daily (n = 21) or an isoenergetic control of saturated fatty acids (n = 23) for 8 weeks.

At weeks 0, 4, 8 and 20 the clinical outcome was assessed by the SCORAD (severity scoring of atopic dermatitis) index. IgE production and activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were analysed. Plasma fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography.

Results: DHA, but not the control treatment, resulted in a significant clinical improvement of atopic eczema in terms of a decreased SCORAD [DHA: baseline 37.0 (17.9-48.0), week 8 28.5 (17.6-51.0); control: baseline 35.4 (17.2-63.0), week 8 33.4 (10.7-56.2)].

A significant reduction of anti-CD40/interleukin 4-mediated IgE synthesis of PBMC was detected in the DHA group only. Supplementation led to a modulated activation status of PBMC in both groups. The DHA group showed an increase of plasma n-3 PUFA and a decrease in the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that dietary DHA could be bioactive and might have a beneficial impact on the outcome of atopic eczema, but our results need to be confirmed in a larger study.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18241260

scorpiotiger · � #2 � 02-07-2008, 07:56 AM

hmmm... fish oil for "scaly" skin. is this an example of like cures like?

boy, fish oil seems to be just good for everything, doesn't it? It is one of those.. if you don't know what's wrong.. try fish oil kind of supplements.

Harry Hirsute · � #3 � 02-07-2008, 10:13 AM

I think fish oil is good for so many conditions because it helps to improve our fatty-acid ratio. Omega-3's are pretty scarce in our modern/typical diet but were much more abundant in the diets of our ancestors.

Anything that helps to correct a chronic imbalance should have wide-ranging benefits.

edit: I also think this is why vitamin D is proving to be so powerful. In the past, we produced much more of it because we spent much more time outdoors.

cherieang · � #4 � 10-05-2009, 01:56 AM

My brother has some skin allergies, he has been taking fish oil when he found out that it is helpful to his skin problems.

After a few weeks later, his skin is better, not so much skin allergies, or itchiness.

Beegel · � #5 � 10-05-2009, 10:12 AM

I'm not surprised by the results of this study. I've been taking an EPA/DHA supplement for awhile now, and it seems to have helped with my skin. Glad to see that there was a study conducted that seems to support my thoughts... Bookmarked the study, just in case I need it later. Thanks for posting it!

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