A new study by dermatologists in Germany has identified a potential link between low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood and acne.
Of the 100 patients with acne studied by the dermatologists, 94% were found to have below recommended levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood.
This information could give hope to the 23 million people suffering with acne in Europe, offering new opportunities to potentially help manage the skin condition.
Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation by stimulating the production of anti- inflammatory prostaglandins E1 and E3, leukotriene B5 and lower levels of the insulin like growth factor (IGF) -1, the central hormone that induces acne.
The team behind this research, based at the department of dermatology and allergy in Munich, also investigated the patients diets’ and found that those who said they regularly consumed pulses, such as chick peas and lentils, as well as absorbing from sunflower oil, at higher levels of the fatty acid.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods such as legumes, algae, nuts, seeds and non-farmed fish like wild salmon and sardines.
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