Lee Swanson Research Update

Vitamin C and Linoleic Acid Help in the Fight Against Skin Aging

October 2007

Want to look better as you get older? Taking more vitamin C and linoleic acid may help. Researchers in the United Kingdom initiated a study and found that: “Higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates are associated with better skin-aging appearance. Promoting healthy dietary behaviors may have additional benefit for skin appearance in addition to other health outcomes in the population.”

Researchers said, “Nutritional factors play a key role in normal dermatologic functioning. However, little is known about the effects of diet on skin-aging appearance. We evaluated the associations between nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance.”

Using data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers examined associations between nutrient intakes and skin aging in 4,025 women, aged 40 to 74. Clinical examinations of the skin were conducted by dermatologists. Skin-aging appearance was defined as having a wrinkled appearance, senile dryness and skin atrophy.

The scientists found that relationships existed between certain nutrient intakes and skin aging appearance independent of factors such as age, race, energy intake, education, sunlight exposure, family income, menopausal status, BMI, supplement use and physical activity.

In particular, lower intakes of vitamin C in the diet were significantly associated with the prevalence of wrinkled appearance and senile dryness. The researchers hypothesize that this is due to the vitamin’s antioxidant properties, the role it plays in collagen synthesis and its postulated photoprotective qualities. In addition, the study suggests that a higher dietary intake of linoleic acid has a beneficial role in reducing the chances of developing senile dryness and skin atrophy. Furthermore, the study found that higher intakes of fats and carbohydrates were associated with increased chances of wrinkled skin appearance and skin atrophy.

The researchers suggest that emphasizing the positive effect that healthy eating may have on the skin, particularly aging skin, may motivate people to improve their diets, along with providing persuasive evidence for the beneficial qualities of certain nutrients.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 86(4):1225-1231, 2007

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