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Does VA Cause Acne?
I know this may seem silly to those who aren't crazy-cat-ladies, but my VA-toxic cat has occasionally had cat acne. It looks like a bit of mange on the chin.
Pets who have had periods of deprivation can get all mangy and covered with bald spots. The explanation has always been: their immune system was hit hard. Now, I sort of wonder if cats and dogs who undergo periods of time without proper care and feeding...go through VA detox. (liver is used heavily in many pet foods, and the "eat the rainbow" idea has hit pet foods too)
Hmmm...I’ll agree with that. Liver in pet food. Hard to get to the health of your pets other than food. Animals are generally pretty healthy in the wild. (Humans also I’d bet) Keeps the veterinarians busy and in your pockets.
These studies show that acne is associated with lower levels of VA in serum and skin. Yet most of the third world has less acne and VA. I'm confused as to what to make of these studies.
Does the plasma level of vitamins A and E affect acne condition?
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Vitamin A and E are lipid soluble antioxidants that are necessary for our health. Deficiency in these vitamins can cause serious diseases. Administration of vitamin A and E to patients with acne was shown to improve their acne condition.AIMS:
To test the relationship between plasma vitamin A and E levels and acne.METHODS:
Plasma vitamin A and E concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography in 100 newly diagnosed untreated patients with acne and were compared with those of 100 age-matched healthy controls. Patients were carefully graded using the Global Acne Grading System.RESULTS:
We found that plasma vitamin A concentrations in patients with acne were significantly lower than those of the control group (336.5 vs. 418.1 mug/L, respectively) P = 0.007. We also found that plasma vitamin E concentrations in patients with acne were significantly lower than those of controls (5.4 vs. 5.9 mg/L) P = 0.05. In addition, we found that there is a strong relationship between decrease in plasma vitamin A levels and increase in the severity of acne condition. Patients with severe acne had significantly lower plasma concentrations of vitamins A and E than did those with lower acne grade and the age-matched healthy controls.DISCUSSION:
Based on our results, we conclude that low vitamin A and E plasma levels have an important role in the pathogenesis of acne and in the aggravation of this condition.
Evaluation of serum vitamins A and E and zinc levels according to the severity of acne vulgaris.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Although hyperseborrhea, follicular hyperkeratinization, Propionibacterium acnes colonization and inflammation are found to be responsible in the pathogenesis of acne, the exact mechanisms are unknown. Vitamin A and E are basic antioxidants vital for health. Zinc is also an essential element for human. But these parameters of the effects on skin are not fully understood. We aimed to evaluate plasma levels of vitamin A, E and zinc in acne patients in relation to the severity of the disease.MATERIAL AND METHOD:
There were 94 acne patients who were referred to our clinic, all new diagnosed, and 56 age and sex matched healthy volunteers as control group. All patients are assessed according to Global Acne Grading System and grouped as mild, moderate, severe and very severe. Acne patients further grouped as group 1 consist of patients with mild to moderate disease; and group 2 consist of patients with severe to very severe acne. The patients with the controls and group 1 with group 2 was compared.RESULTS:
The level of vitamin E, vitamin A and zinc were significantly lower than the control group (Table 1,p < 0.001). When the patient group is compared among each other there was no statistically significant difference for plasma vitamin A levels between group 1 and 2 whereas vitamin E and zinc levels were significantly low in group 2 than group 1. Thus there was a negative correlation between acne severity and vitamin E and zinc levels.CONCLUSION:
Our study marks the importance of diet in patients with acne. We offer supportive dietary measures with foods rich in vitamin A and E and zinc in the acne prophylaxis and treatment. Supportive treatment with these vitamins and zinc in severe acne may lead to satisfactory results.
Vitamin A in skin and serum--studies of acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis vulgaris and lichen planus.
Abstract
The concentrations of vitamin A and total carotenoids were measured in serum and skin of 61 patients with acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis vulgaris or lichen planus, and compared with those in 37 healthy subjects. The mean serum concentrations of retinol and retinol-binding protein were significantly decreased in patients with acne (P less than 0.01) and slightly increased in those with ichthyosis (P less than 0.05), but were otherwise normal. Serum carotenoid levels did not differ between patients and controls. Superficial shave biopsies from both involved and uninvolved skin were examined for the presence of retinol (vitamin A1), dehydroretinol (vitamin A2) and total carotenoids. The mean retinol concentration was increased in lichen planus lesions (P less than 0.05) and decreased in both acne skin (involved and uninvolved) and in lesions of atopic dermatitis (P less than 0.05). The mean dehydroretinol concentration was markedly increased in lesions of atopic dermatitis and lichen planus (P less than 0.01). No consistent abnormalities were found in skin of patients with ichthyosis vulgaris. The mean carotenoid concentration in the patients' skin did not differ significantly from that in the controls. The reduced retinol level in the skin of acne patients is probably explained by diminished supply of vitamin A from the blood. The abnormal ratio of retinol to dehydroretinol in lesions of lichen planus and atopic dermatitis is possibly due to changes in cutaneous vitamin A metabolism associated with epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation.
Retinol absolutely causes acne. The same doc who told me to take A told me to give it to my son. On parts of his face it was hard to see any flesh colored skin because of all the pimples.
Would not low plasma levels, mean the skin and liver are probably packed full in storage mode, most likely because the VA dietary intake out weighs the excretion rate, just a thought... Plus who funded those studies 🙂
Accutane causes retinol to increase in the skin, I think accutane may inhibit dehydrogenase enzymes in the skin leading to lower RA levels.
Oral isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) therapy in severe acne: drug and vitamin A concentrations in serum and skin.
Abstract
The disposition of oral isotretinoin to the skin and the effects of the drug on the vitamin A levels in serum and skin were studied in 17 patients with nodulocystic acne. All patients received 0.5 mg/kg/day for 3 months and 8 patients continued treatment with 0.75 mg/kg/day for another 3 months. The parent drug, the major metabolite (4-oxo-isotretinoin), and 2 natural retinoids (retinol and dehydroretinol) were monitored in serum and biopsies of uninvolved skin, using adsorption high-pressure liquid chromatography. During the initial 3 months of treatment the mean isotretinoin level in the serum was 145 ng/ml and in the epidermis 73 ng/g. The corresponding values for 4-oxo-isotretinoin were 615 and 113 ng/g, respectively. Even at the highest dosage there was no progressive accumulation of isotretinoin in serum, epidermis, or subcutis. After discontinuation of therapy the drug disappeared from both serum and skin within 2-4 weeks. The serum transport of vitamin A, monitored by the concentrations of retinol, retinol-binding protein, and prealbumin (transthyretin), was not affected by the treatment. By contrast, the retinol level in the epidermis increased by an average of 53% (p less than 0.01) and the dehydroretinol level decreased by 79% (p less than 0.001) as a result of 3 months of treatment. Both changes were reversible. The results suggest that isotretinoin therapy interferes with the endogenous vitamin A metabolism in the skin.
Acne could be caused largely by high/moderate VA and low zinc. When RBP is overwhelmed due to insufficient zinc maybe the body converts excess retinol to RA and maybe it is excess RA that causes acne? This could explain lower serum levels of retinol, acne sufferers could be low in RBP and zinc deficient. The studies didn't measure RA levels, the RA level in skin and serum is likely more important than the retinol level.
When acne sufferers minimize carbs and increase protein and their acne subsides what are they getting more of in their diet? Zinc.
When acne sufferers consume dairy they are getting preformed retinol and minimal zinc. Perhaps this is a contributing factor to dairy aggravating their acne?
I couldn't find any studies on acne and RA levels... it could be revealing. I would appreciate if others could do some digging for this data, if RA levels are low in acne sufferers then the idea above can be discredited.
Vitamin D helps acne. It also antagonizes ATRA.
It is claimed that Tretinoin applied to the skin first causes acne then reduces it. Is it working by simply overwhelming the skin's physiology? Is it similar to Accutane in effectiveness? It wouldn't surprise me if big pharma is offering the exact cause of acne as the solution... The fact that ATRA is not given orally like Accutane is significant I think.
It seems topical Tretinoin helps acne but actually makes the skin oilier in many. Maybe its affect on skin cells is the opposite when it is internal in origin but it also stimulates sebum production.
Regardless, the fact that retinoids have a strong effect on acne is a big clue that VA is a major player in acne.
I am assuming that dairy being a trigger could actually be a reaction to retinoic acid in pasteurized milk products. Therapeutic retinoic acid like retin-A or accutane is known to cause a "purge" (acne lesions) initially upon exposure.