Numerous scientific studies have confirmed that dietary fish oil can be beneficial to skin health. The helpful mechanisms range from providing protection against damaging radiation emitted by sunshine to reduction of inflammation known to cause skin disorders. The positive outcomes of fish oil supplementation are wide ranging, and include advantages such as younger looking skin and a reduced risk of skin cancer.
Why Fish Oil Helps
Researchers reporting in the February 1989 issue of the "Archives of Dermatology" offer an explanation as to why fish oil appears to be efficacious in maintain good skin health. Inflammation is a major cause of many skin diseases. The researchers note that a metabolite of arachidonic acid named leukotriene B4 causes inflammation. An enzyme named epidermal 15-lipoxygenase can metabolize arachidonic acid into a chemical that neutralizes the harmful effects of leukotriene B4. The epidermal-15 enzyme uses fish oil to synthesize potent inhibitors to leukotriene B4, and thereby reduce inflammation.
Fish Oil Inhibits Skin Cancer
Over one million cases of skin cancers are diagnosed every year in the United States. Further, the rate of incidence is increasing worldwide. Researchers publishing in the November 2000 issue of "Nutrition and Cancer" observed that dietary fatty acids affect the progression of cancer. The researchers subsequently compiled data from a population study of people suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Their analysis revealed a consistent trend between higher intakes of fish oil and a lowered risk of developing skin cancer.
Fish Oil as UV Protection
The most widely recognized threat to skin health is radiation from ultraviolet light. UV is responsible for skin maladies ranging from brown spots to malignant skin cancers. Researchers reporting in the July 2004 issue of the "Annual Review of Nutrition" conducted an extensive analysis of published studies regarding the efficacy of fish oil in helping to protect skin from the sun's damaging effects. The researchers concluded that both dietary and supplemental fish oil have a significant protective effect against ultraviolet light skin damage.
Fish Oil to Prevent Skin Aging
Researchers reporting in the August 2005 issue of the "Journal of Lipid Research" were unequivocal in their endorsement of fish oil both as a potential treatment for, and as a preventative measure against, skin aging. The researchers explained that ultraviolet light causes chemicals named MMPs to form in the skin, which in turn produce structural damage and wrinkles. In this study they investigated the effect of fish oil supplements in reducing the number of MMPs in UV-exposed skin. The researchers concluded that fish oil is highly effective in moderating the production of MMPs.
References
- "Archives of Dermatology"; Implications of Dietary Oils and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in The Management of Cutaneous Disorders ; Virginia Ziboh; February 1989
- "Nutrition and Cancer"; Fat Intake and Risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin; Ibiebele Hakin et al.; November 2000
- "Annual Review of Nutrition"; Nutritional Protection Against Skin Damage from Sunlight; Helmut Sies et al.; July 2004
- "Journal of Lipid Research"; Eicosapentaenoic Acid Inhibits UV-induced MMP-1 Expression in Human Dermal Fibroblasts; Hyeon Kim et al.; August 2005
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