The effect of a high-protein, low glycemic-load diet versus a conventional, high glycemic-load diet on biochemical parameters associated with acne vulgaris: a randomized, investigator-masked, controlled trial
Abstract
Background No previous study has sought to examine the influence of dietary composition on acne vulgaris. Objective We sought to compare the effect of an experimental low glycemic-load diet with a conventional high glycemic-load diet on clinical and endocrine aspects of acne vulgaris. Methods A total of 43 male patients with acne completed a 12-week, parallel, dietary intervention study with investigator-masked dermatology assessments. Primary outcomes measures were changes in lesion counts, sex hormone binding globulin, free androgen index, insulin-like growth factor-I, and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins. Results At 12 weeks, total lesion counts had decreased more in the experimental group (-21.9 [95% confidence interval, -26.8 to -19.0]) compared with the control group (-13.8 [-19.1 to -8.5], P = .01). The experimental diet also reduced weight (P = .001), reduced the free androgen index (P = .04), and increased insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (P = .001) when compared with a high glycemic-load diet. Limitations We could not preclude the role of weight loss in the overall treatment effect. Conclusion This suggests nutrition-related lifestyle factors play a role in acne pathogenesis. However, these preliminary findings should be confirmed by similar studies.
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All interventional trials included examined the effect of GI/glycemic load on acne.
“All the interventional trials included examined the effect of GI/glycemic load on acne (Table IV).47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52”
From Diet and acne: A systematic review (2022) · cites this paper as [48]
The low-GI diet group experienced a significantly greater improvement in inflammatory and total lesion counts compared with the control-diet group (inflammatory: −16.0 vs −8.5, P = .04; total: −22.0 ± 3.5 vs −10.9 ± 2.9, P = .02).
“Although both the groups experienced significant improvements in lesion count, the low-GI diet group experienced a significantly greater improvement compared with the control-diet group (inflammatory lesion counts: −16.0 with low GI vs −8.5 with control, P = .04; total lesion counts: −22.0 ± 3.5 with low GI vs −10.9 ± 2.9 with control, P = .02).47,48”
From Diet and acne: A systematic review (2022) · cites this paper as [48]
In 2 articles, 43 male patients with acne, treated with a topical cleanser, were randomized to 12 weeks of either a low-GI diet (GI, 43) or a control diet (GI, 56).
“In 2 articles, 43 male patients with acne, treated with a topical cleanser, were randomized to 12 weeks of either a low-GI diet (GI, 43) or a control diet (GI, 56).47,48”
From Diet and acne: A systematic review (2022) · cites this paper as [48]
In one RCT, the low-glucose-load diet group had significantly decreased lesion counts (−59%) compared with the control-diet group (−38%) (P = .046).
“In 1, the low-glucose-load diet group had significantly decreased lesion counts (−59%) compared with the control-diet group (−38%) (P = .046),48”
From Diet and acne: A systematic review (2022) · cites this paper as [48]
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Insulin inhibits transcription of the human gene for insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1
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Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris
Zaenglein, A. L., Pathy, A. L., Schlosser, B. J., Alikhan, A., Baldwin, H. E., Berson, D. S., Bowe, W. P., Graber, E. M., Harper, J. C., Kang, S., et al. (2016) · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037 · Cited by 1,597 · see citing works
Beyond weight loss: a review of the therapeutic uses of very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets
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Diet and acne: A systematic review
Meixiong, J., Ricco, C., Vasavda, C., & Ho, B. K. (2022) · JAAD International · doi:10.1016/j.jdin.2022.02.012 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Acne: The role of medical nutrition therapy
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- Authors
- Smith, R. N., Mann, N. J., Braue, A., Mäkeläinen, H., & Varigos, G. A.
- Affiliations
- RMIT University (AU)
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital (AU)
- University of Turku (FI)
- ORCID
- Varigos, George A.
- Venue
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-08
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 247-256
- ISSN
- 0190-9622 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1965067356
- Cited by
- 294
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 15.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RMIT Research Repository (RMIT University Library) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Keywords
- acne, high-protein diet, low glycemic load diet, dietary intervention, sex hormone-binding globulin, free androgen index, insulin-like growth factor I, IGFBP-1, acne lesion count, weight loss, acne pathogenesis
- MeSH terms
- Acne Vulgaris, Adolescent, Adult, Blood Glucose, Dietary Carbohydrates, Dietary Proteins, Humans, Insulin Resistance, Male, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Single-Blind Method, Treatment Outcome
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