Vitamin C, Linoleic Acid Benefit Skin Health

BEDFORD, England—Higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid, and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates, are associated with better skin-aging appearance, according to a new study (Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;86(4):1225-31). Researchers from Unilever used data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to look for associations between nutrient intakes and skin aging in 4,025 women (aged 40 to 74 years). Higher vitamin C intake was associated with lower likelihood of a wrinkled appearance [odds ratio (OR) 0.89] and senile dryness (OR 0.93). Higher linoleic acid intakes were associated with lower likelihood of senile dryness (OR 0.75) and skin atrophy (OR 0.78). A 17 g increase in fat and a 50 g increase in carb intakes increased the likelihood of a wrinkled appearance (OR 1.28 and 1.36, respectively) and skin atrophy (OR 1.37 and 1.33, respectively). The associations were independent of age, race, education, sunlight exposure, income, menopausal status, body mass index, supplement use, physical activity and energy intake.