Diet and eczema: a review of dietary supplements for the treatment of atopic dermatitis

Abstract

In the context of increasing popularity of “natural” alternatives to conventional medicine, several dietary supplements have gained the attention of researchers and consumers alike in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Readily available without a prescription and frequently perceived to have fewer side effects than traditional medications, these “natural” remedies may be featured in discussions with patients, and clinicians should therefore be familiar with their efficacy and safety.Based on trials to date, no dietary supplements can be recommended for routine use in the treatment of AD. However, some promising results have been noted from the use of probiotics and prebiotics taken in combination. Given significant differences in study design to date, however, further studies would be needed to clarify dose and strains of probiotics. Studies of vitamin D have been limited and have produced conflicting results, although further trials in selected subsets of patients may be indicated. Very limited data is available on fish oil supplements, while future studies on Chinese herbal medicine would require evaluation of comparable herbs and formulations. Finally, multiple trials of evening primrose oil and borage seed oil have shown improvement similar to placebo, and neither is currently recommended in eczema therapy.

The Role of the Environmental Risk Factors in the Pathogenesis and Clinical Outcome of Atopic Dermatitis

“…Despite some conflicting results [48, 49], case-controlled studies of AD sufferers have shown higher blood levels of linoleic acid (precursor of n-6 PUFA) and lower levels of n-3 PUFA [50, 51]. However, from studies in literature concerning the effects of diet on AD [52–56] emerges that a strict diet management is not effective in general in the treatment of AD [57]. Further studies are therefore needed in this regard [9].…”

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) Biological Activity Dependent on Chemical Composition

“…It was found that oral treatment with evening primrose oil, which contains γ-linolenic acid, may lead to a reduction in the symptoms of atopic dermatitis [ 22 ]. However, subsequent studies have not confirmed that oral supplementation with evening primrose oil improves the skin condition in patients with atopic dermatitis [ 23 ].…”

Vitamin D and the Pathophysiology of Inflammatory Skin Diseases

“…Epidemiological studies have shown an increased AD prevalence in populations living in higher geographic latitudes, with lower sun exposure and consequently less vitamin D production [115,116]. Also, in large population-based studies, it was observed that there is an increased likelihood of developing AD in individuals with either deficient or insufficient vitamin D levels [117,118].…”