The effect of a high-protein, low glycemic-load diet versus a conventional, high glycemic-load diet on biochemical parameters associated with acne vulgaris: a randomized, investigator-masked, controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
No previous study has sought to examine the influence of dietary composition on acne vulgaris.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to compare the effect of an experimental low glycemic-load diet with a conventional high glycemic-load diet on clinical and endocrine aspects of acne vulgaris.


METHODS
A total of 43 male patients with acne completed a 12-week, parallel, dietary intervention study with investigator-masked dermatology assessments. Primary outcomes measures were changes in lesion counts, sex hormone binding globulin, free androgen index, insulin-like growth factor-I, and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins.


RESULTS
At 12 weeks, total lesion counts had decreased more in the experimental group (-21.9 [95% confidence interval, -26.8 to -19.0]) compared with the control group (-13.8 [-19.1 to -8.5], P = .01). The experimental diet also reduced weight (P = .001), reduced the free androgen index (P = .04), and increased insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (P = .001) when compared with a high glycemic-load diet.


CONCLUSIONS
We could not preclude the role of weight loss in the overall treatment effect.


CONCLUSIONS
This suggests nutrition-related lifestyle factors play a role in acne pathogenesis. However, these preliminary findings should be confirmed by similar studies.
Smith
Robyn N
RN
School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Mann
Neil J
NJ
Braue
Anna
A
Mäkeläinen
Henna
H
Varigos
George A
GA
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin