06th April 2021
Best Rosacea Diet Tips To Improve Your Gut Health
Dr. Devan Patel, PharmDRosacea is a skin condition mainly observed in middle-aged women, clinically classified as redness and flushing over the face, most prominently around the nose and cheeks. The blood vessels on the face become visible, and you may also observe pus-filled, small bumps all over along with dry and flaky skin. These symptoms may last for weeks to months before resolving.
Rosacea can also affect your eyes and cause symptoms like burning, itching pain, and photophobia. If the condition flares-up, you might end up having a bulbous nose and a chin with thick skin.
According to the study of the National Rosacea Society, almost 16 million Americans are suffering from this chronic skin condition.
The leading cause of rosacea is still under research, and at present, it can't be cured entirely. The best that can be done is to minimize triggers and to manage a proper diet.
Treatments for rosacea
There are no specific medical treatments that can be used to cure rosacea, but the most suggested ones include:
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Skin creams that reduce redness and pimples, including Ivermectin, Oxymetazoline, and Azelaic Acid.
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Systemic antibiotics such as doxycycline
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Protecting skin and eyes from the sun by using sun-screen and sun-glasses
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Anti-inflammatory topical medications like metronidazole
- Laser treatments
Foods to eat for rosacea
A rosacea diet reduces the severity of the disease and should be made up of about 50% grains, 25% proteins, and 25% vegetables. It is a diet that is rich in elements that have high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. Some examples include:
Vitamin E |
Almond, walnut, avocado |
Vitamin A |
Carrots, broccoli |
Omega-3 fatty acids |
Salmon, trout, chia seeds |
Lean proteins |
Chicken, turkey |
Non-citrus fruits |
Mango, melon |
Anti-oxidants |
Strawberries, raspberries |
Vegetable with high-water content |
Cucumber, lettuce |
A cohort study concluded that gastrointestinal conditions like bacterial overgrowth, celiac disease, etc., are directly linked to the occurrence of rosacea. This suggests that taking a rosacea diet rich in probiotics will reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, thus having a calming effect on the skin.
A fiber-rich diet is highly recommended for rosacea as it promotes a healthy environment in the gut by acting as prebiotics. These prebiotics dietary fibers are non-digestible and activate the growth of favorable microbes in the GI tract. Research proves the efficacy of having dietary fibers in improving the gut normal flora.
The prebiotic foods that keeps the gut healthy for good bacteria growth and subsequently prevent rosacea include:
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Kimchi
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Banana
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Miso
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Garlic
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Whole grains
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Asparagus
Foods to avoid for rosacea
While certain food items reduce the incidence of rosacea, some might trigger it and flare-up the severity of redness and itching. It is best to avoid things like
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Histamine-rich food such as fermented beverages and alcohol. As per a study, a high intake of alcohol increases the risk of rosacea
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Citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, grapefruits, and pineapple
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Cinnamaldehyde rich foods, including chocolate and cinnamon
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Spicy food acts on the pain receptor and acts as direct triggers
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Fried items like fries, and cheese sticks may trigger acne
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Processed food such as those available in tin-cans have an altered nutritional composition
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Soy sauce and vinegar
Medication triggers for rosacea
Adding on, some drugs can also set-off the signs and symptoms of rosacea. The drugs that may worsen the condition and should be avoided include:
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Vasodilators
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Niacin
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Fluorinated topical steroids
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Painkillers such as opiates
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Sympathomimetics
Vitamins & minerals to use for rosacea
The link between the gut microbiome and skin has been investigated for a long time now.
One study indicates how the microbes in the gut control the health of the skin by the immune system. The gastrointestinal tract plays an immuno-regulatory role and as a healthy gut is maintained it detoxifies the skin. When the balance of the gut microbes is restored, they have an anti-inflammatory effect which ultimately eliminates skin inflammation.
The 7 top vitamins and minerals for rosacea:
Vitamin A (Retinyl Acetate)
Vitamin A boosts have high anti-inflammatory qualities, which not only enhance our immune system but also keep our eyes, skin, and nails healthy. It allows the skin to heal and rejuvenate while keeping the production of sebum in control. This reduces the bumps and pimples on the skin, which brings down the redness.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C is a popular antioxidant that reduces inflammation by killing the free radicals that might trigger irritation on the skin. It is an antimicrobial and antifungal that removes potential agents that might cause rosacea.
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Vitamin B3 is an agent that uplifts the skin's natural defense to combat the causative agents of rosacea. It is also an anti-inflammatory vitamin, and studies have proved its efficacy in treatment. Furthermore, it increases the production of natural collagen and the proliferation of new skin cells.
Zinc Picolinate
Zinc promotes the natural and normal functioning of the skin and has better absorption than other derivatives. It improves the immune system, which helps treat rosacea and an upset stomach. A placebo-controlled study suggested the use of zinc in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions without side effects.
Copper (Cupric Oxide)
Copper maintains the integrity of the skin by regulating matrix production and promoting angiogenesis. It fastens the healing process and reduces redness. A case study ensured the safety and use of copper in the treatment of rosacea.
Vitamin K (Menaquinone-7)
Along with other vitamins, Vitamin K aids in reducing inflammation, healing damaged skin, and improving the natural barrier of the skin. It also protects against the UV rays of the sunlight and prevents rosacea from triggering. Vitamin K reduces pimples and bumps occurring during a rosacea attack.
Probiotics
Lactobacillus acidophilus complex and Lactobacillus paracasei are two probiotics commonly used to improve normal microbial flora of the gut and maintain skin health.
Best Rosacea Diet Tips: Bottom Line
Having discipline with a rosacea focused diet will give you better outcomes. In addition to diet, using all the vitamins and minerals mentioned above may be very effective in managing and preventing rosacea.* They control the healthy functioning of the epidermal cells so that you may have clean and clear skin. As the triggers are avoided, the chances of having acute episodes of skin flushing and irritation are reduced.
If you are looking for an easy all in one product to use, SkinVite is the most comprehensive oral rosacea formula on the market. It is a natural supplement with a high quantity of vitamins, minerals, and herbs. The dermatologists highly recognize Skinvite for the treatment of rosacea symptoms.* The high quality pharmaceutical grade product is safe and effective, plus recommended by pharmacists Nationwide.*
It may give you clean, healthy skin while it cleanses the pores and fights against acne & rosacea.* The gluten-free and GMO-free product may treat the causes that initiate the symptoms of rosacea.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.