Zinc & acne

Spots, zits, pimples, cysts, etc.
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shelts
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Zinc & acne

Post by shelts »

Would someone be so kind as to explain to me the relationship between zinc and acne? I want to take 50mg of zinc a day which I understand helps heal acne. Thanks

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RRM
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Re: Zinc & acne

Post by RRM »

Numerous supplements (omega-3 fats, vitamin A, B3, B5, C and E, chromium, zinc and selenium) have been reported to be beneficial in treating acne.
Which seems logical to me, as numerous factors in our body influence hormone levels,the activity of propionibacterium and sebum production.
What is certain, in my observation, is that its effects are limited, as ive searched through numerous acne bulletin boards through the years,
and regardless what the supplement was, there were always more disappointed responses than positive ones.
Zinc was one of them, but maybe that also had to do with taking the right supplement. (eg methionine-bound zinc plus antioxidants)

It is claimed that zinc regulates (1) (in combination with the right fatty acid ratio) hormone levels (2) and the production of sebum
(3) enables vitamin A absorption and (4) has antibacterial properties.

(4) As zinc definitely has pro-oxidative properties, it will have antibacterial properties (including propionibacterium), indeed.
However, if you take extra zinc, those pro-oxidative properties will manifest themselves throughout the body
in as much as they may have antibacterial properties regarding the propionibacterium in acne.
Some claim that acne is also caused by the build up of toxic materials in the body, and that zinc helps to eliminate these,
but i cannot find any logic in this.

Whatever the reasoning,
methionine bound zinc has been reported to improve acne (in 79% of patients with mild to moderate acne).
But
"there is very little evidence to convincingly demonstrate the efficacy of zinc as a first-line treatment for any dermatological conditions".
"with the exception of systemic zinc deficiency states, there is little evidence that convincingly demonstrates the efficacy of zinc"
A topical zinc solution had no statistical significant effects.

Whatever you do, please be careful, as zinc supplementation for treating acne is not without danger.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12368702
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12108610
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10802505
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