A low-glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patients: a randomized controlled trial
Open accessAbstract
Background Although the pathogenesis of acne is currently unknown, recent epidemiologic studies of non-Westernized populations suggest that dietary factors, including the glycemic load, may be involved. Objective The objective was to determine whether a low-glycemic-load diet improves acne lesion counts in young males. Design Forty-three male acne patients aged 15-25 y were recruited for a 12-wk, parallel design, dietary intervention incorporating investigator-blinded dermatology assessments. The experimental treatment was a low-glycemic-load diet composed of 25% energy from protein and 45% from low-glycemic-index carbohydrates. In contrast, the control situation emphasized carbohydrate-dense foods without reference to the glycemic index. Acne lesion counts and severity were assessed during monthly visits, and insulin sensitivity (using the homeostasis model assessment) was measured at baseline and 12 wk. Results At 12 wk, mean (+/-SEM) total lesion counts had decreased more (P=0.03) in the low-glycemic-load group (-23.5 +/- 3.9) than in the control group (-12.0 +/- 3.5). The experimental diet also resulted in a greater reduction in weight (-2.9 +/- 0.8 compared with 0.5 +/- 0.3 kg; P Conclusion The improvement in acne and insulin sensitivity after a low-glycemic-load diet suggests that nutrition-related lifestyle factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of acne. However, further studies are needed to isolate the independent effects of weight loss and dietary intervention…
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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 [47]
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 [47]
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 [47]
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- Authors
- Smith, R. N., Mann, N. J., Braue, A., Mäkeläinen, H., & Varigos, G. A.
- Affiliations
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Smith, Robyn N
- ORCID
- Varigos, George A.
- Venue
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-07
- Volume
- 86
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 107-115
- ISSN
- 0002-9165 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2142492917
- Cited by
- 303
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 20 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 22
- FWCI
- 13.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RMIT Research Repository (RMIT University Library) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- 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, low glycemic load diet, glycemic index, dietary intervention, insulin sensitivity, acne lesion count, weight loss, body mass index, young men, acne pathogenesis
- MeSH terms
- Acne Vulgaris, Adolescent, Adult, Blood Glucose, Dietary Carbohydrates, Humans, Insulin, Insulin Resistance, Male, Urea, Glycemic Index
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