With the incidence of eczema in childhood rising in recent decades, researchers are seeking clues as to the underlying causes. The child's diet is often the first area to fall under scrutiny, but some experts say diet is not to blame, and urge parents to exercise caution in eliminating particular foods from children's diets without their first being proven to have a food sensitivity. While the increase in eczema in children remains a mystery, new research suggests multiple factors -- environmental, nutritional and genetic -- could all be at play.
The research in Scandinavia: With respect to dietary origins of eczema, recent studies suggest it may not be so much the presence of certain food allergens invoking the problem as the absence of protective nutrients. Though the nutrient or nutrients in question remain as yet unspecified, hints of this being the case that are providing new interest concern fish. While more research is called for, three studies have demonstrated that early introduction of fish into an infant's diet decreases the risk of eczema in the child.
Bernt Alm and his team at the Department of Pediatrics, University of Gothenburg in Gothenburg, Sweden are the latest to show this beneficial effect with the introduction of fish before nine months of age on incidence of eczema. Alm found that by 1 year of age 20.9% of infants in Western Sweden had had eczema or were currently suffering with it. A family history of eczema increased the risk of the child. With infants who were fed fish at least 1 to 3 times a week, a decrease in eczema was shown on their first birthday. Fish was introduced in the infants' diet at the median age of 7 months in the group studied, and lean fish (cod, haddock) was the type usually consumed (78.6%), with salmon consumed by 17.3% of those studied.
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From the American Heart Association to the President of the United States, a lot has been said recently about the benefits of omega-3's. In the early 1980's, researchers noticed that tribal people native to Greenland had an astoundingly low incidence of inflammatory conditions like psoriasis, colitis, and diabetes. A study was conducted and scholars determined that the secret to the health of these people lay in their diet, which is rich in coldwater fish and, more importantly, the omega-3 fatty acids found in these fish.
Inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema (also known as Atopic Dermatitis) sometimes greatly improve when the proper amounts and concentrations of essential fatty acids are consumed. Omega-3's often contribute to reduction in the number of flare-ups as well as the severity of scaling and redness. It is still unclear how omega-3's help psoriasis and eczema. In general, omega-3 supplementation usually improves skin moisture and appearance, as well as dry skin and eczema.
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If you've been living with chronic skin problems for a long time, you may be familiar with some of these symptoms: bloating, excess flatulence, indigestion, constipation, acid reflux, IBS and diarrhea. These can all be signs of digestive distress. What you eat does impact your skin health, and dietary improvements can often make living with psoriasis, dermatitis, dandruff, eczema, rosacea or severe acne much less trying.
At DermaHarmony we firmly believe that good nutrition is a critical component of improving skin health. Our DermaEssential Skin Care Packs deliver 1320 mg of EPA and 680 mg of DHA each day (just over 2 grams of omega 3's) in the form of four softgel tablets. Ours is a concentrated marine fish oil - the highest quality available. In an independent review of 500 products available in the United States and Canada, the DermaEssentials™ multi-mineral/vitamin formula (prior to the addition of EPA/DHA -- concentrated marine fish oil, digestive enzymes, and the 4 billion multi-probiotics included in our formula) ranked higher than 489 other formulas on 14 separate criteria.
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"After seven months of following the regime,
I'm amazed by the difference!"
James is the image of success on the outside. He's in his early 50's, the general manager of a mid-sized company and happily married with twin adult children finishing college. His health is another story. He's struggled with mild plaque psoriasis for 20 years, has had bouts of alcohol addiction, smoked, struggled with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), had frequent migraine headaches and severe fatigue. James has strictly followed the DermaHarmony whole foods diet program and taken advanced supplementation for many months. He started feeling better almost immediately. Gaining charge over his symptoms and how he looks has given him a renewed sense of control. "My psoriasis is gone, the IBS is no longer an issue and I feel like I'm 30 again. Thanks!"
DermaHarmony is a great place to start
Our programs promote healthy skin with nutritional supplements, cleansing and detoxification, pH balancing, mild topical treatments and dietary guidance.
- To learn more about the approach, visit How it Works.
- To assess your symptoms, take our on-line Skin Assessment.
- If you have questions, don't hesitate to call us at 1-800-827-3730.
We're here to listen and help.
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