For many years now the primary treatment for acne has been over the counter creams and cleansers such as benzoyl peroxide/salicylic acid, Vitamin A derivatives such as Tretinoin (Retin-A), antibacterial soaps, and of course oral antibiotics.  These treatments are still being used today. But now there is new evidence in the literature on the pathophysiology of acne development. This has lead to newer natural acne treatments. We have known that acne patients and healthy controls have different compositions of skin and gut microbiota. Now we see how acne treatment can disrupt the microbiome, especially with the use of oral antibiotics. This can lead to gut dysbiosis which can lead to chronic inflammation, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, neuropsychiatric conditions such as dementia, depression and anxiety. This gut dysbiosis plays an important role in inflammatory skin conditions such as acne.

One way to look at this gut imbalance is to do a stool analysis. I look for nutritional deficiencies and get labwork that includes nutrient levels, inflammatory markers, blood sugars and food allergy tests.  Some patients may have adequate amounts of zinc and omega 3 fatty acids, but many do not. Studies have found significantly lower serum zinc levels in patients with severe acne than in controls. Acne has an inflammatory component, and lower serum zinc concentrations may reflect a response to inflammation rather than a true zinc deficiency. Pantothenic acid (B5), L-carnitine and oral probiotics have also been helpful. For women, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) at 50 mg/day starting 1 week prior to menses and continuing throughout menstruation showed a 72% decease of premenstrual acne flairs.

There are also topical probiotics that can be used to treat acne that use AOB (ammonia-oxidizing bacteria) as the key ingredient which is a type of bacteria already found on the skin. Our natural skin bacteria gets damaged and depleted over time due to harsh soaps and cleansers which many people use to treat acne. This live bacteria (topical probiotic) replenishes what the skin is missing with minimal side effects Mother Dirt. This is a very natural acne treatment.

For female hormonal acne and especially women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), I recommended D-chiro-inositol which is an isoform of inositol that reduces hyperandrogenism better than myo-inositol. D-chiro-inositol helps regulate cycles while reducing symptoms of acne and hirsutism.

Diet is extremely important when it comes to acne. I discuss when and what people eat and drink and then review their stool test results to allow a more complete understanding of what factors shape the microbiome. Common deficiencies I see in the gut is low fiber, low bacterial (probiotics), low stomach acids and low pancreatic enzymes. Acne has been associated with a diet high in refined sugar and fatty foods including processed foods and alcohol. Exacerbations of acne can result from allergic food reactions or from the effects of biologically active substances in certain foods, such as hormones in cow’s milk or amines and other chemicals in chocolate. Eating whole foods is best, in which there are no labels or ingredient lists on products such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats such as avocado, olive oils, fish and nuts/seeds. The gut is an important ecosystem that can cause non-GI symptoms such as acne, eczema, fatigue and nutrient deficiencies.

Last but certainly not least is thyroid. The thyroid gland is the “control tower” of your endocrine system. It secretes hormones into the circulatory system that regulates and controls metabolism. The endocrine system is responsible for growth, repair, metabolism (the rate at which food is burned for energy), energy and reproduction. If that system is out of balance, it can significantly effect your health. When thyroid hormone is deficient (known as hypothyroidism) the body cannot convert cholesterol to other steroids such as Pregnenolone, Progesterone and DHEA. Of all of these…Progesterone is the most important when it comes to acne.

Women have thyroid receptors on their ovaries. So if there is an underachieve thyroid, women will not ovulate as effectively and as a result will not produce adequate amounts of progesterone. This may be why many women suffer from premenstrual acne among other symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, breast tenderness or headaches. Yes, all a result of low progesterone and possibly due to a hypothyroid condition. Low thyroid function increases inflammation because it regulates skin function and how much oxygen the skin absorbs. Thyroid levels can be checked with a simple blood test. Talk to your practitioner to get tested.

Acne can be treated in a ‘wholistic” and integrative way vs mainstream pharmaceutical methods. Treatment can also give you additional benefits that you can see and feel besides clear skin.

References: InYoung, K. Recent updates in pathophysiology and treatments in adult acne. Dermatology, Primary Care, May 25, 2022. Elsevier Inc.

Gaby, A. Acne Vulgaris. Nutritional Medicine, Second edition, 2017. Fritz Perlberg Publishing, Concord NH. pp 707-210.

Villett, M. Is low thyroid causing your “hormonal” acne? The Skincare Edit. 2019.

Amer M. Bahgat MR, Tosson Z, et al. Serum zinc in acne vulgaris. IntJ Dermatol 1982; 21: 481-484.

Snider B, Dieteman DF. Pyridoxine therapy for premenstrual acne flair. Arch Dermatol 1974; 110:130-131.

Nutrients that sound the same can be very confusing. Niacin, niacinamide, nitrates, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide can have differences in how they function, yet be similar in how they assist in healthy aging. So let’s start with niacin and niacinamide which are 2 forms of water soluble vitamin B3.

Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid is a vitamin essential for energy metabolism. It helps in the functioning of the digestive tract, skin and nervous system. It is also known for its benefits in reducing cholesterol, particularly people with elevated triglycerides and low HDL (good cholesterol). It is found in food sources such as fish, meat, eggs, milk, yeast, nuts, green vegetables, and beans. Niacin as a supplement can cause blood vessels to dilate which results in flushing for some people. If that’s the case, then I recommend using an extended release form that causes less flushing.

Niacinamide is the other form of B3 (Niacin) that was initially used to prevent a condition know as pellagra- a disease causing dermatitis and red lesions due to B3 deficiency. Today it is used in many skin care products to prevent acne, wrinkles and skin damage. Our body has the ability to convert niacin into niacinamide in large amounts. In high doses, niacinamide can cause skin irritation, burning, itching or redness. Topical niacinamide skin products can be as high as 10%, but studies show that there is no additional benefit compared to doses as low as 2%.

Let’s talk about nitrates. These are compounds found in beetroot and dark leafy greens like spinach and arugula. When you consume nitrates, your body converts it to nitric oxide, which allows blood vessels to dilate and lowers blood pressure. Nitric oxide is an important molecule in all aspects of aging. It increases blood perfusion and not only delivers nutrients and oxygen to tissues including the heart, but also removes waste products. It also suppresses coagulation and stops blood from getting “sticky”. Be careful because nitrates can come from processed foods, such as preservatives in bacon, cold cuts and hot dogs. You want to stay away from them due to their risk for cancer. But vegetable nitrates, such as celery, cress, lettuce, rugula and spinach are harmless and these along with other antioxidants help neutralize free radicals.

The other N-compound that assists in the aging process is Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). The reduced form of NAD+ is NADH which is critical for mitochondrial production of ATP, which serves as fuel for the cells of the body. NAD+ levels decrease with age. Low levels make mitochondria more vulnerable to damage.  Low NAD+ also occurs in many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cardiovascular disease and muscle atrophy. Sirtuins, which increase lifespan, need NAD+ to function properly. Sirtuins are a class of enzymes that influence aging and longevity through multiple pathways. These enzymes stop the decline in vascular endothelial function, metabolic syndrome, ischemic injury, obesity and cardiomyopathy. NAD+ can be activated with lean diets, exercise, intermittent fasting, and supplementing with NADH 5-10 mg daily. Resveratrol which is a polyphenolic compound produced in plants has been shown to activate Sirtuin. Sources are grapes and berries.

Nutrients that sound the same can be very confusing. By understanding and incorporating these nutrients in our life we can improve healthy blood flow and mitochondrial rejuvenation to help us feel healthier and more energetic as we age.

Reference: Van De Walle, G. Niacinamide: Benefits, Uses and Side effects. Healthline.com. Nov 16, 2018.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database: NADH. natural database.com

Meletis, C. Wilkes, K. The critical role of NAD+ and nitric oxide replenishment in anti-aging medicine. Townsendletter.com. Dec. 2021, Issue #461. p. 48-51.

There has been growing interest in the interaction between the gut microbiome (genes of gut bacteria) and medications. Some medications are known to effect the gut in certain ways. For example, antibiotics tend to change the amount and types of bacteria in the gut which can cause side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. The drugs associated with lowering stomach acids such as PPIs (protein pump inhibitors), is associated with an increase in oral bacteria (that’s right…bacteria that’s found in the mouth) and potential pathogenic bacteria in the gut. There are interactions between the gut microbiome and medications.

Researchers studied the effects of 15 drugs on 25 strains of human gut bacteria and found a variety of drug-bacteria interactions. Some bacteria store the drug without chemically changing it while other bacteria chemically modify it to make it more or less bioactive. In other words, the gut bacteria can determine the amount of a drug (or an active drug metabolite) that is available to the body.

The opposite is also true. A particular drug can also affect a patient’s gut bacteria, both the number and function of that bacteria. For example, the build-up of a drug within a strain of bacteria can change the growth rate of those bacteria. Sometimes a drug can even change the molecules that are secreted by bacteria. This doesn’t sound like a big deal until you understand that the molecules can include hormones, neurotransmitters and molecules of inflammation that effect our physiology. There are clearly interactions between the gut microbiome and medications.

The drug variability can be due to either a person’s genetics or due to the person’s gut flora. Association studies have shown changes in the abundance of various gut bacteria in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and colorectal cancer.  This has also been found in other systemic diseases such as cardiovascular, metabolic conditions, autoimmune and psychiatric disorders.

As you can see here, there is a complex bidirectional interaction between commonly used drugs and the gut microbiome. This means that among people who have the same disease, a particular drug can vary greatly in its effectiveness and adverse effects. Perhaps this will help us in finding interventions to modulate the gut microbiome and optimize effectiveness of treatment.

Reference: Klünemann, M et al. Bioaccumulation of therapeutic drugs by human gut bacteria. Nature 2021 Sep; 597:533

Weersma, R et al. Interaction between drugs and the gut microbiome. Gut 2020 Volume 69, Issue 8. gut.bmj.com

It was difficult finding the Top 10 health breakthroughs of 2021 while being inundated with constant breaking news of the COVID-19 infection. Let’s face it….it has been another exhausting year for all of us. The COVID-19 pandemic is still raging and continues to be the biggest topic in health news (as it should be). We are faced with more uncertainty as Omicron has surfaced with it’s 30 mutations and conflicting data on its severity. Let’s see if we can side step this historical pandemic and look for other inspirational discoveries of 2021. Here are your top 10 health breakthroughs of 2021:

10. New Approach for Migraine Treatment: Researchers has discovered a new cause of migraines known as CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide), a chemical that nerves use to talk to each other and gets released during migraine. The CGRP blocker drug, Rimegepant has been a lifesaver for many with migraines that have found no relief with other modalities.

9. Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease: This deadly genetic condition causes red blood cells to change into a sickle shape. This can cause obstruction of blood vessels or cause them to burst apart leading to infections and severe organ damage, cutting life expectancy to age 54. New drugs, Oxbryta and Adakveo, have been FDA approved and prevents hemoglobin inside the red blood cells from sticking to each other and forming sickles. Studies have shown significant improvement in fewer episodes of severe anemia and longer life expectancy.

8. First Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease: Now there is a prescription blood test called PrecivityAD. It measures proteins linked to amyloid plaque buildup in the brain which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. This test went public without FDA approval which drew some controversy. But the studies have been impressive showing that the test was 94% as accurate at finding brain plaque as PET brain scans that use radioactive tracer dye.

7. COVID vaccines to the Rescue: The new mRNA technology is one of the biggest advances in medicine that we have ever come across (and at warp-speed!) Expectations of the Phase 3 clinical trials on the mRNA-based vaccine was 50-60% which was hopeful. Instead it was more than 90% effective in reducing the risk of developing severe COVID, hospitalization and death. As you may be concerned that theses vaccines are too “new”, let me remind you that they were already here from decades of study.

6. First Oral Antiviral to Treat COVID-19. Paxlovir is under FDA Emergency Use Authorization for treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19. It is actually 2 drugs taken together. Two tablets of 150 mg Nirmatrelvir and 100mg Ritonavir taken twice per day for 5 days. It is indicated for those with mild-moderate symptoms but are at high risk for progressive disease that could lead to hospitalization or death.

5. Advances in Gene Therapy: Researchers successfully treated a genetic liver disease by injecting the CRISPR gene-editing tool into a person’s body. This gene-editing tool works by using enzymes that cut away portions of DNA that are responsible for DNA mutations and returns them to their normal function. This could pave the way of healing a wide variety pf genetic conditions.

4. New Oral Anti-fungal for Vaginal infections: This is for the 1.4 million women that see their doctor each year in the U.S for vagina yeast infections. This is the first new anti-fungal in more than two decades representing a new class called triterpenoids. This new drug, Brexafemme works by blocking an enzyme that creates a protective coating around Candida Fungi. Without this coating, the fungi quickly die off. The 2-tablet treatment starts working within a few days and stays in the system for up to 2 weeks to help prevent recurrence.

3. First Vaccine for Malaria (and other parasitic infections): Malaria kills about half a million people a year worldwide. A new vaccine, Misquirix, is about 50% effective against severe Malaria. Even though 50% does not sound very effective (compared to the 95% effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines), it may save those at high risk for severe infection such as the elderly, pregnant women and children who live in countries with high numbers of Malaria cases. You can take preventative medicine before, during and after a trip to  high-risk areas, but many parasites have developed resistance to common drugs used to treat the disease.

2. Treating a Torn ACL without Surgery: The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament is one of the  most common injuries for athletes and non-athletes. Treatment involves surgery and reconstruction using a piece of bone and tendon from another part of the body or using a donor to rebuild the ligament. Now the Bridge-enhanced ACL Restoration Implant takes the place of that material. It is FDA approved and made of bovine collagen. It is secured in place between the two torn ligaments. The patient absorbs the device and grows new, healthy tissue in its place in a few months.

1. The First At-home Test for COVID-19: The Ellume at-home COVOD-19 test was the first test of it’s kind to get FDA authorization. This allows consumers to check their COVID-19 status without going to the doctor or to a PCR testing site. It is an easy test that swabs both nostrils and gives the result in 15 minutes. It identifies positive cases 95% of the time and negative cases 97% of the time. Since that first test, a new test called BinaxNOW by Abbott has also become a common and accurate COVID-19 antigen home test.

Happy New Year! Wishing you the best of 2022!  May it be a year full of good health, joy and some certainty.

References: Schindler, S, Goadsby, P. Love, T. The New Health Heroes: Life-altering new treatments for heart, mind and more. Medical Breakthroughs 2021. AARP, Oct/Nov 2021.

Temte, J. Coronovirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes First Oral Antiviral for Treatment of COVID-19. Practice Update. 12/23/2021.

Maldarelli, C., Sohn, R. The Top 10 health and medicine breakthroughs of 2021. Popular Science, Dec 1 2021.

Mastroianni, B. From Vaccines and Gene Editing to Malaria Treatment: The Important Medical Innovations of 2021. HealthLine. Dec 27, 2021.