Researchers in Japan conducted a pilot study with Vitamin D3 in 5 individuals with the hyperkeratotic form of palmoplantar eczema. The subjects were given 2 topical preparations of Vitamin D3, calcipotriol 50mcg/g and maxacalcitol 25mcg/g. The ointments were applied daily for 8 weeks.

Outcome measures included patient subjective improvement, adverse effects, and laboratory values including Vitamin D and calcium.

All five subjects responded to treatment. In four of the five, the lesions almost disappeared completely. This was accomplished at various time intervals from 2-8 weeks of treatment. In the fifth subject a significant improvement was attained at seven weeks, however the lesions did not resolve. There were no side effects or adverse outcomes associated with the treatment. Relapses also responded to treatment.

This study represents preliminary evidence that topical Vitamin D3 may be a safe effective treatment alternative for vesicular palmoplantar eczema. The research does not allude to mechanism. Long term benefit is also not addressed. Double-blind studies with larger subject populations are definitely needed.

Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals (unstable molecules that cause damage to cells)  associated with degenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, and aging. GAGs (glycosaminoglycans) are specialized molecules found in cartilage and skin. Antioxidant production and GAGs decline with aging. Now research reports that a supplement containing antioxidants, GAGs and minerals fights wrinkles and improves skin roughness.

The study, published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, investigated the effects of a supplement containing antioxidants, GAGs and minerals on skin aging. Researchers at Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand administered either an antioxidant supplement  or a placebo daily to 60 female subjects. The supplement contained antixodants (coenzyme Q10, beta-carotene, grape seed extract, French maritime pine bark extract, green tea extract, D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate), minerals (zinc and selenium) and glycosaminoglycans. Skin roughness and fine wrinkle measurements were obtained from the participants at the beginning of the study and at four week intervals for three months.

The researchers found that participants in the supplement group had a 21% reduction in skin roughness and wrinkles, compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, the supplement group reported an improvement in pore size, skin roughness and fine wrinkles.

"The oral dietary supplement containing antioxidants, minerals and glycosaminoglycans improved skin roughness and fine wrinkles but did not affect skin color change in female volunteers," the study authors conclude.

Promote Skin Health with Progressive Health's Balance Point

Supplementing with a daily multivitamin like Progressive Health's Balance Point promotes skin health and and wellness. Balance Point for Women is a woman's multivitamin and Balance Point for Men is a men's multivitamin featuring antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that boost skin health and promote wellness. 

Dermal fibroblasts in skin cells play a major role in wound healing. Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant that can help heal and protect the skin. Now research reports that vitamin C may protect the skin by promoting fibroblast production. These results may have important implications for protecting the skin against DNA damage.

The study, published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, investigated the effect of exposure to a vitamin C derivative, AA2P (ascorbic acid 2-phosphate) in cultured human skin cells (dermal fibroblasts). Researchers from the Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine at the University of Leicester, UK analyzed the genes that were activated by vitamin C .

The researchers found that vitamin C stimulated fibroblast proliferation in the wound area. Furthermore, the vitamin C treated fibroblasts had a faster repair of damaged DNA. This suggests that vitamin C can promote skin healing by increasing fibroblast wound repair and protecting against DNA damage.

"We propose that vitamin C may protect the skin by promoting fibroblast proliferation, migration, and replication-associated base excision repair of potentially mutagenic DNA lesions," the study authors conclude. 

Boost Wellness with Progressive Health's Balance Point for Men and Women

Progressive Health's Balance Point for Women is a unique and comprehensive multivitamin with natural nutrients formula specially designed for women. It features 40 nutrients including vitamins (such as vitamin C), skin, hair and nail builders, antioxidant protectors, bone protectors, PMS helpers, and vision helpers.

Progressive Health's Balance Point for Men is a new, state of the art multivitamin and natural rejuvenator made exclusively for men. It features 41 nutrients including vitamins (such as vitamin C), passion promoters, prostate helpers, muscle protectors, antioxidant protectors,bone builders, and vision helpers.

The study had 31 participants who had chronic mild to moderate psoriasis. The treatment group was compared to placebo and given baths with sodium bicarbonate once daily for 21 days.

At completion of the study, the treatment group noted significant decreases in itchiness and irritation of the skin as well as clinical improvement in the lesions. The authors conclude that sodium bicarbonate baths, though a thing of the past, should still be used as one form of treatment with continued effectiveness.

Retinoid forms of vitamin A including retinol and RA (retinoic acid) are used to treat skin disorders including acne, wrinkles and certain cancers. RA is an essential molecule for bone and tissue development, cell regulation and other biological processes. Now research reports that an enzyme associated with fat synthesis is also linked to RA levels in the skin. These results may have important implications for the treatment of skin and hair disorders.

The study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, investigated the effect of the fat enzyme acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (or DGAT1) on the regulation of RA levels in mice. Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes of Cardiovascular Disease genetically engineered mice to delete the DGAT1 enzyme. They exposed the mice to topically administered retinol.

The researchers found that the fat enzyme DGAT1 is an important regulator of RA action in the skin. When the mice were topically administered retinol, there was an increased sensitivity to topical retinol application. The mice also had increased hair loss (alopecia). When the mice were deprived of dietary retinol, these effects were prevented. 

"These findings show that DGAT1 functions as an ARAT in the skin, where it acts to maintain retinoid homeostasis and prevent retinoid toxicity," the study authors conclude. "Our findings may have implications for human skin or hair disorders treated with agents that modulate RA signaling."

Progressive Health's Actimine Combats Acne Breakouts 

Acne is the most common skin disease in the US, affecting over 17 million Americans. Acne occurs more commonly in males and affects 85 percent of the population between the ages of 12 and 24. Taking a natural supplement like Progressive Health's Actimine can combat acne breakouts, reduce inflammation, regulate sebum (skin oil) production and restore skin health.

By targeting acne internally, Actimine stops the damaging effects of acne breakouts. It contains a synergistic blend of researched nutrients including vitamin A, selenium, vitamin E, zinc, and gum guggul. Vitamin A, selenium and vitamin E synergistically reduce skin inflammation and sebum and keratin production. Research indicates that gum guggul can treat nodulocystic acne.

Zinc salts have shown efficacy in the treatment of several conditions including acne. They are known to act as an anti-inflammatory to the tissue as well as possess limited antimicrobial activity. Zinc has even been shown in vitro to be effective against Propionibacterium.

A study published in the European Journal of Dermatology in May investigated the effects of zinc gluconate both in patients with active acne and in the lab against more than 40 common strains of bacteria associated with acne. Patients were randomized to receive either 30 mg of zinc gluconate or placebo for 2 months. Bacterial samples from facial lesions were taken on Day 0, 30 and 60 for comparison.

The patients who were given zinc gluconate had fewer numbers of inflammatory lesions after 30 and 60 days compared to placebo. Signs and symptoms of active acne were decreased in the treatment group compared to placebo. Concurrent lab studies also showed that the addition of zinc gluconate to the treatment protocol decreased resistance of Propionibacterium to erythromycin compared to control.

The investigators concluded that the addition of zinc gluconate improves treatment in patients with severe forms of acne. In addition to the improvement of facial lesions in active disease, zinc decreased resistance of Propionibacterium to erythromycin. This makes zinc salts a valuable addition to any antibiotic treatment protocol for acne.

The treatment options for cholasma are limited and the desire for an effective treatment is great. The study evaluated the ability of grape seed extract, which is high in procyanidins, to reduce the melanin pigmentation. Women were given the treatment for 12 months, and the outcomes measures were clinical observation, L value (lightening index), melanin index, and size of area affected.

After six months of treatment 83% of the women showed improvements in the L value, melanin index, and clinical observation. There were no additional effects during the latter 6 months of treatment.

The authors concluded that grape seed extract is a valuable treatment for cholasma. It is effective as a 6-month treatment. Grape seed extract may serve as a preventative agent against further hyperpigmentation that can occur during the summer months.