Low-Energy Diet in Atopic Dermatitis Patients. Clinical Findings and DNA Damage.

Abstract

Undernutrition without malnutrition (lowenergy diet) increases maximum longevity, reduces the incidence of several cancers and delays their onset, in animal studies. It has also been demonstrated by experimental study that caloric restriction provides a beneficial effect on various inflammatory diseases. In this study, we offered a low-energy diet to patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Nineteen adult patients (5 males and 14 females aged 15 to 36 years) were enrolled in the study which lasted 8 weeks. The energy intake was 55% of nutritional requirements; protein was 75%, calcium 180%, iron 130%, vitamin A 105%, vitamin C 250% and vitamin E 110% of the daily requirement. No patient experienced adverse reaction, and none dropped out of the trial. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), and systolic blood pressure had decreased significantly by the end of study. The SCORAD (scoring atopic dermatitis) index, which combines objective (extent and intensity of lesions) and subjective (daytime pruritus and sleep loss) criteria, was reduced significantly. In 11 patients with severe AD, there was a significant reduction in oxidative DNA damage. The change in the inflammatory intensity score and the change in BMI caused by energy restriction showed a significant positive correlation. The change in oxidative DNA damage levels and the change in BMI showed a positive correlation. These results clarify the relationship between weight loss and the improvement of AD. It may be hypothesized that this low-energy diet which included several additional nutrients has a possibility to reduce inflammatory symptoms of patients with AD.

Vegetarian Diet Ameliorates Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis through Reduction of the Number of Peripheral Eosinophils and of PGE2 Synthesis by Monocytes.

“…Previously we reported that this therapy caused a reduction in oxidative DNA damage measured by urinary secretion of 8-OHdG (Kouda et al, 2000). In this study to assess the mechanisms in more detail through which this therapy affected AD, several immunological markers were examined.…”

“…This therapy mainly consists of a lowenergy and vegetarian diet (Kouda, 1995). Previously we reported that a low-energy diet reduced inflammatory symptoms of patients with AD (Kouda et al, 2000). The a i m o f t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y w a s t o i d e n t i f y t h e immunological mechanisms of the treatment for AD.…”

Beneficial Effects of Mild Stress (Hormetic Effects): Dietary Restriction and Health

“…Concerning inflammatory disease, a relationship between asthma and obesity has been suggested in several epidemiological studies (Story, 2007). In a clinical study, a low-energy diet reduced inflammatory symptoms and oxidative damage in patients with atopic dermatitis (Kouda et al, 2000). A case of a patient with atopic dermatitis and repeated one day fasting has also been reported (Nakamura et al, 2003).…”

Immune Deviation and Alleviation of Allergic Reactions in Mice Subjected to Dietary Restriction

“…A pilot study showed that restriction of energy intake to 55% of nutritional requirements for 8 weeks significantly alleviated the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. 26) Moreover, alternate-day restriction of food intake regimen (repetition of consumption of 320-380 calories one day and ad libitum intake the other) for 8 weeks improved quality of life in subjects with body-mass-index >30 and moderate asthma. 27) These results encourage us to clarify the beneficial effects of restriction of food intake and to apply them to remedy dysregulated immune functions and to maintain health.…”