Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women.
BACKGROUND
Nutritional factors play a key role in normal dermatologic functioning. However, little is known about the effects of diet on skin-aging appearance.


OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the associations between nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance.


METHODS
Using data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined associations between nutrient intakes and skin aging in 4025 women (40-74 y). Nutrients were estimated from a 24-h recall. Clinical examinations of the skin were conducted by dermatologists. Skin-aging appearance was defined as having a wrinkled appearance, senile dryness, and skin atrophy.


RESULTS
Higher vitamin C intakes were associated with a lower likelihood of a wrinkled appearance [odds ratio (OR) 0.89; 95% CI: 0.82, 0.96] and senile dryness (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87, 0.99). Higher linoleic acid intakes were associated with a lower likelihood of senile dryness (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.88) and skin atrophy (OR: 0.78; 95% CI 0.65, 0.95). A 17-g increase in fat and a 50-g increase in carbohydrate intakes increased the likelihood of a wrinkled appearance (OR: 1.28 and 1.36, respectively) and skin atrophy (OR: 1.37 and 1.33, respectively). These associations were independent of age, race, education, sunlight exposure, income, menopausal status, body mass index, supplement use, physical activity, and energy intake.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates are associated with better skin-aging appearance. Promoting healthy dietary behaviors may have additional benefit for skin appearance in addition to other health outcomes in the population.
Cosgrove
Maeve C
MC
Corporate Research, Unilever Colworth Park, Bedford, United Kingdom. maeve.cosgrove@unilever.com
Franco
Oscar H
OH
Granger
Stewart P
SP
Murray
Peter G
PG
Mayes
Andrew E
AE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D014481:United States
D019787:Linoleic Acid; D001205:Ascorbic Acid