High Glycemic Foods, Dairy Linked To Acne

PHILADELPHIAA new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics points to increasing evidence of a connection between diet and acne, particularly from high glycemic index/glycemic load diet and frequent dairy consumption, and that medical nutrition therapy (MNT) can play an important role in acne treatment.

It is estimated that more than 17 million Americans suffer from acne, mostly during their adolescent and young adult years. Since the late 1800s, research has linked diet to acne, identifying chocolate, sugar, and fat as particular culprits; however, beginning in the 1960s, studies disassociated diet from the development of acne.

This change occurred largely because of the results of two important research studies that are repeatedly cited in the literature and popular culture as evidence to refute the association between diet and acne," said Jennifer Burris, MS, RD, of the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University. More recently, dermatologists and registered dietitians have revisited the diet-acne relationship and become increasingly interested in the role of medical nutritional therapy in acne treatment."

The researchers conducted a literature review to evaluate evidence for the diet-acne connection during three distinctive time periodsearly history, the rise of the diet-acne myth, and recent research. Culling information from studies between 1960 and 2012 that investigated diet and acne, they compiled data for a number of study characteristics, including reference, design, participants, intervention method, primary outcome, results and conclusions, covariate considerations and limitations.

They concluded a high glycemic index/glycemic load diet and frequent dairy consumption are the leading factors in establishing the link between diet and acne. They also noted that although research results from studies conducted over the last 10 years do not demonstrate that diet causes acne, it may influence or aggravate it.

The researchers recommend dermatologists and registered dietitians work collaboratively to design and conduct quality research.

This research is necessary to fully elucidate preliminary results, determine the proposed underlying mechanisms linking diet and acne, and develop potential dietary interventions for acne treatment," Burris said. The medical community should not dismiss the possibility of diet therapy as an adjunct treatment for acne. At this time, the best approach is to address each acne patient individually, carefully considering the possibility of dietary counseling."