An investigation of the association between diet and occurrence of acne: A rational approach from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective
Author(s)
Author(s)
Law, M. P. M.
Chuh, A. A. T.
Molinari, N.
Date Issued
2009
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Journal
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
Volume
35
Issue
1
Start page
31
End page
35
Abstract
Background
The association between diet and acne vulgaris has long been suggested but remains unproven in western medicine. In contrast, the diet–acne relationship is considered important in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Aim
To investigate the association between diet and acne, using a TCM approach.
Methods
Using a cross‐sectional study of 322 entrants to a university in Hong Kong, China, we examined the participants’ clinical severity of acne using the Global Acne Grading System and the participants’ yin and yang scores using a quantitative method. We then divided them into two groups, a yin‐predominant group (yin‐PG) and a yang‐predominant group (yang‐PG) before the diet–acne relationship was investigated.
Results
In total, 82 (25.2%) participants were in the clinical acne group and 240 (74.5%) were in the reference group. There were 155 (48.1%) participants in the yin‐PG and 167 (51.9%) in the yang‐PG group. No association of diet and acne was found when the participants were considered as a homogenous group. In yin‐PG, intake of foods from street stalls (P = 0.04) was significantly associated with a lower incidence of acne. In yang‐PG, the intake of desserts (P = 0.04) and fresh fruit juices (P = 0.02) was significantly associated with a higher incidence of acne, whereas the intake of dairy and soy products (P = 0.04) was significantly associated with a lower incidence of acne.
Conclusions
The application of a TCM approach led to the detection of significant associations between diet and the incidence of acne.
SFU Affiliated Publication
No
Availability at SFU Library
No database links found.