Nutrition and Rosacea part 1: Is there a relationship?

Diet and rosacea are closely linked, as certain foods can worsen or help manage the symptoms of this complex skin condition. Rosacea is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by redness, flushing, papules, pustules and hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands. There are four subtypes of rosacea: erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, fibromatous, and ocular rosacea. The causes of rosacea are diverse and include genetic and environmental factors, with diet playing a significant role. This article delves deeper into how diet affects the symptoms of rosacea, and highlights which foods have the potential to impact the severity and frequency of outbreaks.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition that mainly affects the face. The condition is chronic and relapsing, meaning it comes and goes in waves. Rosacea can lead to significant psychological and emotional distress due to the visibility of its symptoms and the impact on self-image.

The condition can be divided into four main categories:

1. Erythema-telangiectatic rosacea: Most common form. It is characterized by persistent redness and visibly dilated blood vessels.
2. Papulopustular rosacea: Can be recognized by the redness, combined with pimples and bumps.
3. Fibromatous rosacea: There is thickening of the skin and enlargement of sebaceous glands, often on the nose. Colloquially called a wine nose. It can also be done on the chin and very rarely on the forehead.
4. Ocular rosacea: Affects the eyes, leading to irritation, dryness and inflammation.

Would you like more information about Rosacea

Relationship between diet and rosacea

Diet can play an important role in managing rosacea. Due to the complex causes of rosacea, it can be difficult to determine which foods influence the symptoms. It is important to understand how different foods interact with this condition. With this knowledge we can avoid specific foods to reduce the impact of rosacea.

Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most commonly reported triggers for rosacea. In a large study of 82,737 participants, 4,945 of whom had rosacea, it was found that increased alcohol intake was significantly associated with a higher incidence of rosacea. The risk increased with the amount of alcohol consumed, with wine and spirits being the biggest culprits. White wine and spirits increased the risk of rosacea regardless of participants’ smoking status. The mechanisms behind alcohol-related rosacea involve the production of acetaldehyde and acetone, metabolites of alcohol that release histamine. Histamine causes vasodilation and flushing, which can worsen rosacea symptoms.

Spicy food

Spicy foods, especially those containing capsaicin such as hot peppers, are also a common trigger. Capsaicin activates the TRPV1 receptors on the skin, leading to vasodilation and increased blood flow, resulting in flushing and redness. Although spicy foods can worsen the symptoms of rosacea, research shows that it is not a direct cause of the condition, but rather can worsen symptoms.

Cinnamaldehyde-containing foods

Foods containing cinnamaldehyde, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits and chocolate, can worsen rosacea. Cinnamaldehyde is a substance that can activate certain receptors in the skin, called TRPA1 receptors. When these receptors are activated, it leads to dilation of the blood vessels, which can result in increased redness (erythema) and the appearance of small dilated blood vessels (telangiectasia) on the skin.

Histamine-rich foods

Histamine-rich foods, such as aged cheese, wine and processed meat, are known triggers for rosacea. Histamine, released from mast cells, causes dilation of blood vessels and increased permeability, which can lead to swelling and redness. Histamine intolerance, which occurs when there is an imbalance between the amount of histamine ingested and the body’s ability to break it down, can also contribute to the symptoms of rosacea.

Dairy products – unclear

Contrary to the common perception that dairy can worsen rosacea, research shows that dairy products may actually play a protective role. One study found a negative association between dairy product consumption and the severity of rosacea, especially in the Erythema-Telangiectatic and Papulopustular forms. The anti-inflammatory properties of dairy, as well as its possible regulation of the gut microbiota, may contribute to these protective effects. Dairy products can worsen rosacea in Asians, possibly because lactose intolerance also plays a role.

Caffeine – 4 or more, seems beneficial

Caffeine has vasoconstrictive properties, meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels. In theory, this could help reduce the redness and visibility of blood vessels, symptoms often associated with rosacea. However, for some people caffeine can also lead to vasodilation, a widening of the blood vessels, after the initial vasoconstrictive effect has worn off. This in turn can lead to a worsening of symptoms such as redness.

Interestingly, research shows that consuming more than four cups of coffee per day can improve symptoms of rosacea. This seems paradoxical, as one would expect that more caffeine would worsen symptoms. One possible explanation is that coffee contains antioxidants, substances that help protect your body against damage. These antioxidants can help reduce the inflammation associated with rosacea in the long term.

High-fat foods

High-fat foods, such as fatty meats and fried foods, are associated with increased severity of rosacea, especially in the Erythema-Telangiectatic and Fibromatous phenotypes.

Fried foods: French fries, fried chicken and other fried snacks often contain trans fats and saturated fats that can promote inflammation.

Processed snacks: Chips, cookies and other processed snacks are often high in unhealthy fats and additives that can be harmful to the skin.

Consumption of high-fat foods can lead to chronic inflammation in the body. High-fat diets are often rich in saturated fats and trans fats, which can stimulate pro-inflammatory cytokines (signaling substances). These cytokines can irritate the skin and contribute to the development or worsening of rosacea symptoms.

Other food products that you wouldn’t expect

1. Avocados

Avocados contain histamine, a substance that can cause inflammatory reactions. For people with rosacea, a condition already associated with inflammation, high histamine intake can potentially worsen symptoms.

2. Vanilla

Vanilla, especially artificial vanilla extracts, may contain substances that can promote inflammation. Some people with rosacea may find that vanilla increases redness and irritation in their skin.

3. Soy sauce

Soy sauce contains tyramine, a substance that can dilate blood vessels and cause flushing. In addition, soy sauce is high in sodium, which can contribute to fluid retention and inflammation, which can worsen rosacea symptoms.

4. Yeast extract

Yeast extract also contains tyramine and other biogenic amines that may contribute to vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) and flushing. Although bread itself is usually not a problem, products with added yeast extract can cause problems for people with rosacea.

5. Vinegar

Vinegar, especially in large amounts, can cause flushing and redness in people with rosacea. This is because vinegar can dilate blood vessels and trigger an inflammatory response.

6. Eggplant

Eggplant contains solanine, a substance that can cause skin irritation and inflammation in some people. While not everyone with rosacea will react negatively to eggplant, avoiding this food can help reduce flare-ups in sensitive individuals.

7. Spinache

Spinach is rich in histamine and, like avocado, can cause an inflammatory response in people with rosacea. High spinach intake may contribute to the worsening of rosacea symptoms in some people.

Keeping a food diary can help identify which foods make your rosacea symptoms worse. If you find that any of these foods make your symptoms worse, consider avoiding it.

Overview: Nutrition and Rosacea

Tips

• Food diary: Identify and avoid foods that worsen symptoms

Nutritional interventions for rosacea, to consider

Advantages

One of the main benefits of dietary changes is the ability to avoid triggers that worsen rosacea symptoms. Many patients report improvements in their symptoms after avoiding known triggers such as alcohol, spicy foods, and histamine-rich foods. By eliminating these triggers, patients can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of rosacea flare-ups, leading to better overall skin health and increased self-confidence.

In addition, certain foods, such as omega-3 fatty acids and possibly dairy products, can have a beneficial effect on skin health. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil and flaxseed oil, have proven anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and improve the skin barrier. Increased consumption of these fatty acids can contribute to better hydration and reduction of dryness and irritation, especially in patients with ocular rosacea.

Disavantages

Despite the benefits of nutritional interventions, there are also disadvantages to this approach. One of the biggest challenges is the individual variability in responses to foods. What is a trigger for one patient may not be a problem for another. This means that it is difficult to provide universal nutritional advice that is effective for all rosacea patients. Patients often have to discover through trial-and-error which foods make their symptoms worse, which can be a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating process.

In addition, some foods that worsen rosacea symptoms, such as alcohol and spicy foods, may be difficult to avoid completely due to social and cultural reasons. This can make adherence to dietary changes difficult and reduce the effectiveness of these interventions.

Finally, is the relationship between diet and rosacea strong or weak?

Based on the available literature, the relationship between diet and rosacea is complex and individually variable. There is strong evidence that certain foods, such as alcohol, spicy foods, and histamine-rich foods, can worsen rosacea symptoms. These foods often activate physiological responses in the skin, such as vasodilation and inflammation, leading to redness and flushing.

On the other hand, there are foods such as coffee more than 4 per day and dairy products that may have a protective effect against rosacea. These foods help reduce inflammation and improve the skin barrier, which can lead to a reduction in symptoms and improved skin health.

Although there is strong evidence for the influence of diet on rosacea, the relationship remains partly inconsistent and variable between individuals. Further studies are needed to better understand the precise mechanisms and effectiveness of specific dietary interventions in rosacea. It is essential for patients to take a personalized approach, identifying and avoiding their own triggers to effectively manage their symptoms.

What can Iconic Elements do for you

Iconic Elements offers a range of skin care products specifically formulated to address various skin concerns and improve the overall health of your skin. Here are some of their key products and what they can do for you:

Calming Cream with Marshmallow root, Avena Sativa and Ectoine:
This cream is designed to soothe and soothe irritated skin. Marshmallow root and Avena sativa (oats) are known for their anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. Ectoine helps protect the skin against stress and promotes recovery, resulting in calm and hydrated skin.

Spotreducer cream with Niacinamide and Ectoine:
This cream combines the powers of niacinamide and ectoine to improve your skin. Niacinamide has antioxidant and pigment-reducing properties, while ectoine helps strengthen the skin barrier and soothe troubled skin. Together, these ingredients help reduce blemishes and improve overall skin texture.

Cleansing Milk Step 1:
This cleansing milk thoroughly cleanses the skin without using alcohol, which is ideal for maintaining the skin’s natural moisture balance. It is gentle on the skin and effectively removes impurities and make-up, preparing the skin for further care.

These Iconic Elements products have been carefully formulated to bring your skin back into balance.