Vitamin A and Acne
Are the Myths Vitamin A and Acne True?
If you’re acquainted with some of the many acne myths that abound, you might have heard that Vitamin A can clear up an acne-plagued complexion. So is there some truth to this rumor, or is it just another myth waiting to be debunked? If you want to know more about Vitamin A and its impact on acne, read on.
Vitamin A as an Acne Treatment?
In some case studies, patients suffering from various degrees of acne have demonstrated that taking large doses of Vitamin A, sometimes in excess of 500,000 IU, can clear up acne-prone skin. Sounds great, right? Hold your horses. There is a downside to this miracle cure.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin which means that your body does not excrete it through your urine like it does water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C. Over time, your body can accumulate literally lethal doses of fat soluble vitamins. You would need to take very high doses for a prolonged period of time for toxicity to occur, but there is still an inherent risk.
Proceed with Caution
If you are interested in using Vitamin A to clear your acne, purchase the vitamin in 5000 IU caplets and take one a day for a few weeks to see whether or not your skin improves. However, it is probably a good idea to consult with your doctor before doing so just to be sure the vitamin won’t cause problems with any prescription drugs you may be on or agitate a medical condition you may be afflicted with.
Everyone reacts differently to Vitamin A, so there is no guarantee that your acne is going to clear up when you start taking it and avoid the temptation to increase your dose if you don’t see the results you want. Remember, the more Vitamin A you take, the higher the risk of overdosing on it.
Comments
I read, that some vitamin additives can be harmful if to accept them in lots. Because of what additives there can be problems? WBR LeoP
Posted by: Matt | January 28, 2007 11:23 AM