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. 2020 Aug 3;22(1):55–65. doi: 10.1007/s40257-020-00542-y

Table 1.

Select diets and their association with acne

Diet Role in acne pathophysiology Acne findings References
Low GL ± low GI Reduces free androgens, increases IGFBP-3, and decreases IGF-1 levels Evidence supportive of reduction in lesion quantity and severity of lesions Smith et al. [39], Smith et al. [40], Burris et al. [41], Smith et al. [42], Çerman et al. [45], Burris et al. [46], Burris et al. [47], Smith et al. [51], Kwon et al. [52]
Dairy Milk increases insulin and IGF-1 levels Evidence supportive of association of milk and whey proteins in increasing acne lesions

Rich-Edwards et al. [54], Adebamowo et al. [58], Adebamowo et al. [60], Adebamowo et al. [61],

Okoro et al. [62], Grossi et al. [63], Karadag et al. [64], Duquia et al. [65]

Fat and fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids decrease IGF-1 and inhibit pro-inflammatory leukotriene B4 Supportive of omega-3 fatty acids and γ-linoleic acid use in reduction of acne lesions Logan [70], Li et al. [71], Simopoulos et al. [72], Zouboulis et al. [74], Jung et al. [75]
Vegetarian and vegan Activation of mTORC1 decreased, leading to decreased signaling of pro-inflammatory nuclear factor-κB No significant evidence supportive of vegan/vegetarian diets in reducing acne Melnick [11], Young et al. [76], Stewart and Bazergy [77]
Probiotics Possible production of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances, may improve glucose metabolism and insulin levels, may increase levels of anti-inflammatory fatty acids Mostly theoretical findings in support of acne reduction; early studies show promising results in acne improvements with probiotic supplementation Bowe et al. [79], Kim et al. [80], Puch et al. [82], Salem et al. [83], Fabbrocini et al. [84]

GI glycemic index, GL glycemic load, IGF-1 insulin-like growth factor-1, IGFBP-3 insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3, mTORC mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1