Omega-3 DHA May Be Good For Your Skin

Eczema is cause by inflammation in the upper levels of the skin. Symptoms include itchy, dry, and thickened skin usually found on the hands, neck, face, and legs. German scientists have recently found that supplementation with the omega-3 essential fatty-acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may improve the symptoms associated with eczema.

Researchers at the Charite Medical School of Berlin studied fifty-three people with eczema aged 18 to 40. They were split into two groups and assigned either a DHA supplement or a placebo.

After 8 weeks, researchers found that the severity of symptoms in the DHA group was reduced by 23 percent, but only slightly in the control group. They also found that a precursor for allergic reaction that causes eczema (an antibody called IgE) was reduced in the DHA group but not the control group.

Their findings were published in the April 2008 issue of the British Journal of Dermatology.

The benefits of omega-3 essential fatty-acids, specifically DHA and EPA have been well-documented in recent years. There are different omega-3 essential fatty-acids and not all contain EPA and DHA (both found in fish oil). So be careful when choosing a product or supplement that claims omega-3 benefits.

Source: British Journal of Dermatology
Volume 158, Issue 4, Page 786-792, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08430.x
"Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in atopic eczema: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial"
Authors: C. Koch, S. Dölle, M. Metzger, C. Rasche, H. Jungclas, R. Rühl, H. Renz, M. Worm
Abstract: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08430.x
Article: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=85634-omega-dha-eczema