-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
cutaneous system
acne vulgaris
nutrition
dietary guidelines
eating principles:
High fiber diet: increase the amount of fiber
(Kaufman, W. Arch. Dermatology 119(4): 276, 1983)
Avoid simple carbohydrates: sugar levels should be kept down as much as possible. Treatment should be similar to diabetes mellitus. Consider glycosylated Hgb for evaluation long term.
If on a regular diet, try a vegetarian diet high in vegetables and complex carbohydrates. If on a vegetarian diet, try a fruit and vegetable diet or a short fast.
Small amounts of mono-unsaturated fats
Elimination/rotation diet, rotation diet, rotation diet expanded
Detoxification: A general detoxification treatment is often helpful in reducing acne. Colonics may also be considered.
therapeutic foods:
Foods rich in Silicon (Jensen)
Increase foods that cool Xue (Blood) Heat and clear Heat in the Lung: squash, cucumbers, watermelon, winter melon, celery, carrots, cabbage, beet tops, dandelions, aloe vera, mulberry leaves, carrot tops, lettuce, potato, cherries, papaya, pear, persimmon, raspberries, buckwheat, alfalfa sprouts, millet, brown rice, mung beans, plenty of water (Ni, p. 99)
Burdock root, onions
fresh juices:
Cucumber, endive and pineapple (Jensen, p. 63)
Apple (Shefi)
1/2 cucumber and 1/2 water mixed
Dandelion and beet top tea
Carrot (Walker, p. 120)
Watermelon (Shefi)
Carrot and spinach (Walker, p. 120)
Carrot, lettuce, and spinach (Walker, p. 120)
specific remedies:
4 oz. mung beans and 2 oz. raw brown sugar boiled in 1 1/2 pt. of water until reduced to half. Eat and drink. (Butt and Bloomfield, p. 119)
external applications:
Bentonite masks: topical treatment, especially for oily skin
Tea Tree oil: topical
Azelaic acid (a 9 carbon chain fatty acid): topical, derived from molds
Grated cucumber applied topically (Ni, pp. 99-100)
Plain yogurt applied topically (Ni, pp. 99-100)
Rub watermelon rind on acne (Ni, pp. 99-100)
Apply aloe vera (Ni, pp. 99-100)
Mix pearl barley powder with aloe vera and apply overnight (Ni, pp. 99-100)
Dandelion poultice
Take the dried seeds of an unripe orange and grind into a paste with some water. Apply to skin before going to bed (Yin-fang and Cheng-jun, p. 84)
Soak swiss chard seeds in vinegar for 3-5 days, then apply vinegar to face (Chao-liang, Qing-rong, Bao-zhen, p. 42)
avoid:
Food intolerances
Simple carbohydrates, fried foods, fatty foods, rich foods, chocolate, nuts, coffee, alcohol, sugar, smoking, stress, constipation, washing with harsh soaps, ice cream, soft drinks, dairy foods, emotional stress, red meat, shellfish, bamboo shoots, white mushrooms (Ni, p. 100)
Trans-fatty acids, hydrogenated oils (margarine, vegetable shortenings, imitation butter spreads, most commercial peanut butters) oxidized fats (deep fried foods, fast food, ghee, barbequed meats)
Spices
Check for fruit sensitivities
supplements
HCL and digestive enzymes: HCl with meals, 10-50 grains, work up slowly; consider Heidelburg and/or stool analysis. Also, consider urine indican to detect endotoxins.
Essential Fatty Acids: EPO and alpha linolenic acid. 1 Tbsp twice daily (Wright, S. J. Nut. Med. 1, 301-313, 1990)
Zinc picolinate: 30-50 mg three times daily for 8-12 wks then cut back (Michaelsson, G. et al. 97:561, 1977)
Brewers yeast: 1 Tbsp twice daily
Vitamin A: 100,000-300,000 IU per day (TOXIC DOSE) for 3 months, then cut back. Caution: Watch for headaches and other signs of toxicity. (Kligman, A.M., et al. Int. J. Dermatol. 20:78, 1981).
Vitamin B6: especially with premenstrual acne, 50 mg per day; 100 mg three times daily for one week before menses; also if on birth control pills
Vitamin E and Vitamin A: 100,000 IU of vitamin A with 800 IU of vitamin E initially, and then at lower doses (Mihan, R.T. Int. J. Dermatol. 17:305, 1978)
Vitamin E, 400-800 IU per day
Selenium: Selenium 200 mcg per day (Int. J, 1981, p. 278); Selenium 200 mcg with vitamin E 10 mg twice daily (Michaelsson, G., Edquist, L. Acta. Derm. Venereol. (Stockh.) 64,10:9-14, 1984)
Folate: folic acid 5-10 mg per day (Callaghan, T.J. Cutis 3:583-88, 1967)
Vitamin C: 1 gm/day
Garlic: may decrease blood glucose levels and also change gut flora
Vitamin D Calcitriol (active form 1,25 DHCC of Vitamin D)
Staphage lysate. Note: be very careful of allergic reactions
Benzoyle peroxide
Copper 5 mg per day
Vitamin C 1 g per day
» drug interaction:
Iron, Sodium, Calcium, carotene, Vitamin B12, fat, protein, cholesterol and neomycin (Mycifradin, Neobiotic): neomycin damages the intestinal villi and precipitates bile salts in the lumen; this leads to malabsorption of the enumerated nutrients
tetracycline and Calcium (Achromycin, Tetra-C, Tetracyn, Tetralan, Tetram, Tropicycline): increases urinary calc IUm excretion
tetracycline (Achromycin, Tetra-C, Tetracyn, Tetralan, Tetram, Tropicycline): Calcium (and dairy), Magnesium and Iron interfere with drug metabolism (Goodman and Gilman, 6th ed., p. 1184)
footnotes
Callaghan, T.J. The effect of folic acid on seborrheic dermatitis. Cutis 3:583-88, 1967. Abstract: 8 patients with acne vulgaris were given oral synthetic folic acid 5-10 mg daily. Six were much improved and 1 was improved.
Kaufman, W. The diet and acne. Letter to the Editor. Arch. Dermatology 119(4): 276, 1983.
Abstract: Patients showed rapid clearing following supplementation with 1 oz daily of an all-bran cereal. This may be effective due to correction of constipation.
Kligman, A.M., et al. Oral vitamin A in acne vulgaris. Int. J. Dermatol. 20:78, 1981.
Abstract: 123 cases of acne vulgaris were treated with vitamin A. Doses below 300,000 IU daily were ineffective. After 5 months there were no serious cases of toxicity. Only 1 patient. had a transient elevation of LV function tests. Two patients had transient headaches.
Michaelsson, G., Edquist, L. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in acne vulgaris and the effect of selen IUm and vitamin E treatment. Acta. Derm. Venereol. (Stockh.) 64,10:9-14, 1984. Abstract: 47 male acne patients had significant decrease in erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase levels compared to controls, while the levels of 47 female patients not on oral BCP did not differ from those of controls.
Michaelsson ibid. Abstract: 29 patients with severe acne received selen IUm 200mcg and vitamin E 10 mg 2x daily for 6-12 wks with good results, especially in those with pustular acne and low glutathione peroxidase activity, and improvement was usually paralleled by a slow rise in glutathione peroxidase activity.
Michaelsson, G. et al. A double blind study of the effect of zinc and oxytetracycline in acne vulgaris. 97:561, 1977.
Abstract: Effervescent zinc sulphate (135 mg daily) was as effective as tetracycline (750 mg daily) and showed about 70% improvement over 12 week. with fewer side effects from chronic use.
Mihan, R.T. Acne vulgaris and lipid peroxidation: new concepts in pathogenesis and treatment. Int. J. Dermatol. 17:305, 1978.
Abstract: Over 100 patients had conditions which were successfully controlled with average daily doses of 100,000 IU of vitamin A and 800 IU of vitamin E. Most responded within weeks, and results were maintained with lower doses over time.
Wright, S. EFA and Clinical Dermatology. J. Nut. Med. 1, 301-313, 1990.
Abstract: This review hypothesized that there may be a local EFA deficiency and decreased activity of D 6 desaturase. Linoleic acid in the sebum falls as sebum secretion increases. This can correspond with the severity of acne.