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.

Limitations

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

Conclusion

This suggests nutrition-related lifestyle factors play a role in acne pathogenesis. However, these preliminary findings should be confirmed by similar studies.

Abbreviations used: BMI, body mass index, CV, coefficient of variation, DHEAS, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, FAI, free androgen index, GI, glycemic index, HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, IGF, insulin-like growth factor, IGFBP, insulin-like growth factor binding protein, LGL, low glycemic load, PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome, SHBG, sex hormone binding globulin