Incidence of eczema has increased by 30% since the 1970s. Researchers believe that increased pollutants and allergens in the environment may be partly to blame.Deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs) such as omega-3 and omega-6 from nuts, seeds, fish and vegetable oils has also been associated with dry skin and eczema.
Healthy oils from fish, flax and hemp can help improve eczema and dry skin.
At a dermatological clinic in Norway, researchers investigated whether dietary supplementation with omega-3, omega-6, and vitamins and minerals may have a beneficial effect on eczema. A total of 19 patients, aged 17 to 43 years, with moderate to severe eczema participated in this 16-week study. In 14 of 17 patients, skin conditions improved by more than 50% after treatment with the nutritional supplements.
In a similar study at the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kuopio in Finland, researchers found that hempseed, a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, was useful in treating eczema. In this study, hempseed oil and olive oil were compared over a 20-week crossover period. These researchers found that levels of both EFAs, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid increased after supplementing with hempseed oil. Skin dryness and itchiness improved, and the use of topical skin medication decreased with the hempseed oil treatment. The researchers concluded that these improvements resulted from the abundant supply of EFAs in hempseed oil.
Sources: J Dermatolog Treat. 2006;17(2):82-5; J Dermatolog Treat. 2005 Apr;16(2):87-94
