NOW-University.com - Flaxseed Found to Benefit Skin Health

Flaxseed Found to Benefit Skin Health

By Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS, October 6, 2008, abstracted from “Intervention with flaxseed and borage oil supplements modulates skin condition in women” printed online in the British Journal of Nutrition

It is estimated that the cosmetics industry generates $160 billion each year¹ to help improve the appearance of our skin. This comes in the form of creams, ointments, surgery, and health spa treatments. Fortunately, natural ways, including maintaining adequate intakes of vitamin K², cocoa³, omega-3 fatty acids⁴, and antioxidants⁵ are known to benefit skin health.

Now a new study⁶ has found that omega-3 fats in the form of flaxseed are beneficial to skin health. In the study, 45 non-smoking, healthy women between the ages of 18 and 65 received flaxseed (2.2 grams per day, mostly omega-6 fatty acids), borage oil (2.2 grams per day, mostly omega-6 fatty acids), or placebo for 12 weeks. During this time, skin irritation was simulated by applying nicotinate to the skin, which induced inflammation and reddening⁷.

By the end of 12 weeks, those in the flaxseed and borage oil groups had 45% and 35% decreases in reddening of the skin, respectively. No decreases were seen in the placebo group. Measurements of water loss from the skin showed that both flaxseed and borage oil decreased water loss by 10% at six weeks. However, only the flaxseed group continued to show prevention of water loss, reaching 25% by 12 weeks. Finally, roughness and scaling of skin in both groups “also decreased significantly”, with no changes seen in the placebo group.

For the researchers, “The present data provide evidence that skin properties can be modulated by an intervention with dietary lipids.”

Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Danville, CA. You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at mailto:PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.CompleteChiropracticHealthcare.com

Reference:

¹ “The Beauty Business” posted May 22, 2003 on The Economist Website www.economist.com/printedition/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=1795852

² Gheduzzi D. Matrix Gla protein is involved in elastic fiber calcification in the dermis of pseudoxanthoma elasticum patients. 87: 998-1008; advance online publication, August 27, 2007; doi:10.1038/labinvest.3700667

³ Heinrich U. Long-Term Ingestion of High Flavanol Cocoa Provides Photoprotection against UV-Induced Erythema and Improves Skin Condition in Women. J. Nutr. 2006 136: 1565-1569

⁴ Koch C. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in atopic eczema: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Journal of Dermatology 2008; 158(4):786-792

⁵ Heinrich U. Antioxidant supplements improve parameters related to skin structure in humans. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2006;19(4):224-31

⁶ De Sprit S. Intervention with flaxseed and borage oil supplements modulates skin condition in women. Journal of Nutrition 2008; 136:1565-1569

⁷ Papaliodis D. Niacin-induced "flush" Involves Release of PGD2 from Mast Cells and Serotonin from Platelets: Evidence from Human Cells In Vitro and an Animal Model. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2008 Sep 10

Innovation in Online Learning

NOW University is an online, self-study program designed to educate you about good health and the lifestyle choices that affect some of today's most prevalent health concerns such as diabetes, cardiovascular and hormonal health. Through a series of audio and video lessons in each course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the important basics for healthy living; the foundation of good health. With this understanding, students will be equipped to evaluate their own lifestyles and implement the changes that need to be made toward a healthier lifestyle to support a longer, more active life