A recent study investigated how dietary antioxidant intake affects women’s quality of life
Summary
Acne vulgaris is a chronic skin disease that can persist into adulthood, negatively impacting mental health and quality of life. A diet rich in antioxidants can reduce the risk and improve the quality of life of those affected.
Although it is associated with adolescence, for hormonal reasons, acne vulgaris is a chronic skin disease that can persist into adulthood. It is estimated that about 9% of the world’s population suffers from acne vulgaris.
“Some of the characteristics of the disease include pustules, papules, nodules and scars. In most people, acne appears on the face and negatively affects mental health and overall quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to treat the disease and alleviate the physical and psychological consequences of acne,” emphasizes the dermatologist Paola Pomerantzeffmember of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology.
A recent study have shown that adding antioxidants to your diet, with a diet rich in this type of nutrient, can help treat the disease and improve your quality of life. “Young people’s eating habits may be related to acne vulgaris,” adds the doctor.
Previous studies have identified several factors that may be involved in the pathophysiology of acne, including age, sedentary lifestyle, gender, and diet. Hormonal, inflammatory, environmental, and genetic factors have also been shown to contribute to the disease.
“It’s a multifactorial condition, so we need to take a comprehensive look at the patient’s treatment, including lifestyle changes,” says the doctor.
Women’s quality of life
In the study, which evaluated the relationship between the antioxidant quality index of the diet and the quality of life of young women with acne vulgaris, a total of 165 women aged 18 to 35 years were included in the evaluation. All participants adhered to a daily diet of up to 5000 kcal, depending on the individuality of each participant. The Dietary Antioxidant Quality Scale was used to evaluate the intake of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, copper, manganese, iron, zinc, selenium, phytosterols, lignans and polyphenols in the diet. The components of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, were also evaluated.
“Adherence to a diet rich in antioxidants reduced the risk of acne vulgaris, thereby improving the risk of depression in study participants,” explains Paola.
Of the study participants, more than 50 percent had been battling acne vulgaris for two to five years, some had been suffering from VA for more than five years, and 9 percent of women had severe acne. According to the doctor, diet influences acne through the gut microbiota, hormones, the immune system, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
“Greater adherence to an antioxidant diet reduces the risk of acne vulgaris impacting quality of life by about 30 to 32 percent and the risk of depression by 33 percent,” says the doctor.
Additionally, increasing the diet with antioxidants is helpful in treating acne itself. “Inflammation caused by oxidative stress of the pilosebaceous unit and sebum oxidation initiates acne development. Therefore, dietary strategies that promote increased antioxidant intake may be helpful in adjuvant treatment,” she comments.
And there is no reason to chase a “superfood”. “Antioxidants are present in fruits, vegetables, tea, olive oil, chocolate, cocoa, oilseeds, coffee, cereals and condiments. The solution to include them in your diet is to consume more natural foods, prepared at home, avoiding the consumption of ultra-processed foods. And this brings benefits to the skin and the quality of life of those who fight against skin diseases”, concludes the doctor.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
