Premium
(14) Essential fatty acids and the skin
Author(s) -
Grattan C.E.H.,
Burton J.L.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb12032.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dermatology , library science , family medicine , computer science
Experimental studies in animals have highlighted the importance of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in normal epidermal structure and function, and hair growth. Recent work on EFA metabolism in man has identified certain specific abnormalities in atopic eczema 1 , and psoriasis, acne vulgaris and ichthyosis (unpublished observations). Dietary supplements have been shown to correct the EFA deficiency in atopic eczema and also to ameliorate the clinical disorder. We present a pictorial review of the evidence relating EFA metabolism to disorders of the skin, nomenclature of the EFA series, the main dietary sources of EFAs and the range of commercially available dietary supplements.