Acne.org Products
I have been taking ground flax seeds for about a month now in my yogurt every morning. I really believe this was a great contributing factor in my improved skin tone, reduced acne and reduced redness. My skin looks better than it has in ages! I have tried flax before, but not on a constant basis. I hope my skin keeps looking as great as it does today with the added omega 3's.
Alright so I recently purchased Finest Natural Clear Natural Enteric Softgel Fish Oil.It is 1000mg per softgel. Omega 3 fatty acids: 300mg, EPA/DHA: 250mg
My question is, is this a good brand to take? And how many should I take to see my skin clear up?
i dont think it really matters on the brand... if its omega 3 fish oil then your good... oh and make sure its Mercury free
I joined in on the fish oil two days ago.
I'm in Australia and most of the brands mentioned here aren't around.
I'm taking Ethical Nutrients Hi-Strength Liquid Fish Oil.
Each 5 mL (by measuring cap) contains:
Concentrated Omega-3 triglycerides - fish 4600 mg
Equiv. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 1900 mg
Equiv. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 927 mg
I have had mild to moderate cystic acne for the last 7 years.
The Omega 3/6 balance of my diet can range from 6:1 to 15:1 depending on what I eat.
My diet was/is organic low GI vegan (until the fish oil came into it).
I'm really confused about this whole ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 and if anyone could help me that would be great. As a person who is naturally skinny i decided to put more protein in my diet with chicken, eggs and just today i bought some shelled hemp from my health food shop; now on the bag it says the ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 is 4:1. This the makers say 'mirrors the primative diet the human race evolved on for 2.5 million years'. However just looking at this thread it seems people on here are saying that a big amount of omega 6 will break them out in acne. Should i be worried about this? I dont want a huge breakout because i put some hemp in my smoothie earlier.
Could someone more knowledgable than me comment on this supplement:
http://www.planetorganic.com/higher-nature...as-3-6-7-9.html
Good? No? Better off getting 'pure' Omega-3 fish oil?
TIA!
A smaller sized study/paper that has a lot of good information. Pictures and graphs included. Hopefully one day a study with the same controlled factors could be implemented with a much larger sample group! Great reference list as well, going to read up more on them.
http://www.lipidworld.com/content/7/1/36
Acne vulgaris, mental health and omega-3 fatty acids: a report of cases
Mark G Rubin, Katherine Kim and Alan C Logan
Abstract
Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition, one that is associated with significant psychological disability. The psychological impairments in acne include higher rates of depression, anxiety, anger and suicidal thoughts. Despite a paucity of clinical research, patients with skin conditions and/or mental health disorders are frequent consumers of dietary supplements. An overlap may exist between nutrients that potentially have both anti-acne and mood regulating properties; examples include omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, chromium, zinc and selenium. Here we report on five cases of acne treated with eicosapentaenoic acid and antioxidant nutrients. Self-administration of these nutrients may have improved inflammatory acne lesions and global aspects of well-being; the observations suggest a need for controlled trials.
Background
... Speculation that dietary factors can influence acne has been a matter of debate for decades, and emerging research is certainly suggesting that diet may indeed be an important factor, particularly in mediating the inflammation and oxidative stress of the acne process [11-13]. Hints that omega-3 fatty acids might positively influence acne originate from older epidemiological studies which show that communities that maintain a traditional diet high in omega-3 fatty acids have low rates of acne [14]. One study in over 1000 teenagers from North Carolina found that each of the primary signs of acne a comedones, papules, pustules, acne cysts and oily skin a were significantly lower in in those consuming the greatest amounts of fish and seafood [15]. A separate investigation showed that patients actually with acne are more likely to be infrequent consumers of dietary fish and seafood [16]. More recently, investigators have outlined mechanisms whereby fish oil may be effective in reducing inflammatory acne. The inflammatory chemical leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is now know to up-regulate sebum production, and synthetic inhibition of LTB4, in the form of the drug zileuton, leads to significant improvement in acne [17,18]. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from fish oil, and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) from borage oil, have been reported to inhibit the conversion of arachidonic acid into LTB4 to the same degree as the LTB4-inhibiting acne drug candidate zileuton [19]. Sophisticated studies have recently demonstrated that each pilosebaceous unit has the machinery in place to manufacture inflammatory chemicals, including LTB4, with the raw materials supplied from the breakdown products of dietary fats [20]. Fish oil, and EPA in particular, has a wealth of research to support its ability to inhibit LTB4 production [21], yet to date, no investigators have reported on the clinical utility of fish oil for acne.
...Clinical intervention studies show that a diet with an overall low glycemic load, more dietary fiber, more fish and seafood is helpful in acne. Results show an average 22 less acne lesions in those who adhere to such a diet [11,12].
On the one hand there are certainly hints that marine lipids, minerals and phytochemicals might have potential to reduce inflammatory acne lesions, and on the other, it is almost difficult not to notice that these are the very same nutrients that have been shown to influence mental outlook, depressive symptoms and anxiety. Omega-3 fatty acids [36], zinc [37], selenium [38], chromium [39], and even phytochemicals such as those found in green tea [40], have been shown to improve mood and decrease anxiety in various clinical and experimental studies. We, and others [41], have wondered if such dietary nutrients, or combinations thereof, might influence inflammatory acne and perhaps more importantly, the mental outlook of users with acne. Clinical studies utilizing dietary changes or specific nutrient interventions in acne have not evaluated aspects of mood or mental health as an outcome.
Discussion
The self-administration of an omega-3 fish oil-based nutrient combination for two months did appear to have some influence on the acne process, and perhaps more importantly, on mental outlook. Specifically, four of the individuals had a reduction in total lesion count, with a range of 11 to 41 less lesions after 2 months. The average total lesion count among the group dropped from 62.8 to 40.4. It was in the area of inflammatory lesions where the intervention seemed to make a more significant difference. This reduction of marked inflammation and redness of lesions is apparent in the photographic evidence of figures 1, 2. Remarkably, not one subject had a worsening of inflammatory acne lesions during the two months, and all had at least some reduction in inflammatory papules. The average inflammatory lesion count at baseline was 20.8 and this decreased to 6.8 after two months. The average lesion counts are presented in the bar graphs of figure 3. One of the five subjects did have a higher overall acne lesion count after two months, there was a specific 2-fold increase in pustules and comedones, however, a 30 percent reduction in inflammatory papules was also noted.
Rubin M, Kim K, Logan A. Acne vulgaris, mental health and omega-3 fatty acids: a report of cases. Lipids In Health And Disease [serial online]. October 13, 2008;7:36. Available from: MEDLINE, Ipswich, MA. Accessed June 14, 2011.
Fish oil is great, your body needs a sufficient amount of omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. These help your skin stay elastic and moisturized as well as bring hydration to the skin. If you have dry skin there's a good chance you aren't drinking enough water or getting enough good fats (omega fats) in your diet.
You can get omega fats through fish, flaxseeds and supplements as well.
Hope this helps everyone!
David
can anyone tell me if it's possible to get the correct omega 3:6 ratio without supplementing fish oil, while continuing to eat meat? I've used fish oil in the past and it worked for a week or so, but stopped working, I'm assuming because I contined to eat foods high in omega 6, and didn't know anything about the ratio.
I've been doing a lot of research on the nutrition data website, and it seems if I want to continue to eat chicken/beef/eggs it would be pretty much impossible to maintain a normal-ish ratio without supplementing fish oil. I do intend on making salmon a regular part of my diet, but I still don't think it's enough. There doens't seem to be many foods in favour of omega 3 over 6 to balance it out, and if they are it's only just slightly in favour.
hey so after reading about 30 pages of this post, i kinda freaked out, thinking about the imbalance of the omegas of my diet, ive been trying the past 2 days to calculate what my ratio was, and it was driving my crazy!!!!, i eat pretty healthy but im sure that my ratio is high like 10:1 just like more people.
I recently started taking trader joe's 'COMPLETE EFA' it has
borage seed oil 400mg
flaxseed oil-400mg
molecularly distilled fish oils-400mg
im wondering if this is having any benefit??
shouldn't the flaxseed and fish oils make a 2:1 ratio to the borage seed oils?
should i just get fish oils or flaxseed oil pills instead??
Don't take fishoil, flaxseed oil is much healthier. Recent studies show that DHA (from fishoil) actually causes prostate cancer (and who knows what else, there hasn't been much research on other diseases) and EPA only protects against depression in low doses. In high doses it does the opposite. If you want to see the studies just google it.
My guess is, the body only needs very small amounts of EPA/DHA and we should let our body decide how much it needs by giving it the precursor ALA which the body will convert to EPA/DHA as it sees fit. ALA is in flaxseed oil.
Heavy metal poisoning from fish is another thing to watch out for.
I just want to say that cod liver oil is a much better option for people looking for a fish oil. Fish oil is made from the skin, whereas cod liver oil is taken from the liver. The biggest difference, and why i switched to cod liver oil, is due to the naturally occurring vitamin A and D found in the cod liver oil.
I have to say that this is the single greatest supplement i have ever taken, and it's given me security against breakouts. Since i've been taking it the blemishes i occasionally get are barely noticeable and heal in a few days at most. There IS a difference between naturally occurring vitamins and synthetic. I've tried both and only noticed a difference while getting the vitamins from a food source.
Ok so i want to join in on trying out some omega combos and seeing if it helps. First of all i eat smoked salmon every morning with eggs about 10g or so. I also have a can of tuna or sardines at night along with fish for dinner twice a week now i aim for whereas previously for dinner fish would be a rarity. Would that be good enough amount of omega 3's? Now omega 6's im not sure if i need those because nuts break me out so i guess i don't handle them well.
I guess i could buy some flax seed oil to go with my fish diet. Also is avocado a good source of acne friendly fats?
Don't take fishoil, flaxseed oil is much healthier. Recent studies show that DHA (from fishoil) actually causes prostate cancer (and who knows what else, there hasn't been much research on other diseases) and EPA only protects against depression in low doses. In high doses it does the opposite. If you want to see the studies just google it.My guess is, the body only needs very small amounts of EPA/DHA and we should let our body decide how much it needs by giving it the precursor ALA which the body will convert to EPA/DHA as it sees fit. ALA is in flaxseed oil.
Heavy metal poisoning from fish is another thing to watch out for.
No, flaxseed oil is definitely not healthier than fish oil or cod liver oil.
ALA -> EPA/DHA conversion is extremely inefficient in humans (although you DO need ALA, in addition to EPA/DHA.)
Judging by your name, I think it's safe to assume you may be getting your health information from a biased source.
I was wondering something today and decided here would be a better place to ask than starting a new thread (seeing as I've made three within the past few days...
).
Is it possible to get too many omega 3s? It seems my ratio would be predominantly omega 3s with my dietary changes. Is there anything harmful about this?
I've noticed a drastic increase in hair falling out since taking omega 3's. Iam not sure if anyone else on here has noticed this although. I have come across this topic though on other forums. My normal intake is two capsules in the morning at two at night ( probably around 4 grams). I thought perhaps that my omega 3's had become rancid sitting in the cabinet so I went out and bought some that were refrigerated. I only took them for a few days and decided that maybe I should just give myself a break from them all toghether for a little while. An interesting thing that I've noticed since discontinuing the omega 3's is that my morning breath has returned. Apparently omega 3's helps kill of the bacteria that cause bad breath. I've also ready that bad breath is an indication of how rancid your colon is. Chlorophyll helped eliminate my halitosis as well. Anyway I thought the gut/ acne connection was interesting. Doing colon cleanses and colonics has always helped my skin out a lot as well ( probably more so than anything else I've done). Enemas didn't really do much.
Thanks for bringing up the whole omega 3 to 6 and 9 ratio things. That might be why my hair started falling out.
I was wondering something today and decided here would be a better place to ask than starting a new thread (seeing as I've made three within the past few days...
).
Is it possible to get too many omega 3s? It seems my ratio would be predominantly omega 3s with my dietary changes. Is there anything harmful about this?
I am wondering the same thing. Anyone?
It is possible to get too many omega3's. Ratio of 3-6-9 is key.
Many people megadose fish oil thinking there doing themselves good.
Look at ur diet and see if it does require 0mega3 supplementation.
I eat a lot of oily fish so i dont supp fish oil.
Also from my experience fish oil does nothing for my skin, although props to those who have cleared up from it.
BTW get a GOOD fish oil brand. DONT get those cheap ass $5 ones from wal-mart they are GARBAGE and actually made my skin worse. When i do supplement fish oil (rarely) i use a good brand from a GNC that costs at least $15-25.
Has anyone else broken out from taking omega supplements? I broke out in cystic acne all along my chin from taking them. Other than the huge, painful cysts my skin was soft and glowing, but I am not normally prone to cysts so I stopped taking the supplements. Normally I would just get small acne that would go away in a few days.