Essential fatty acids and skin disease

Abstract

ABSTRACT Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are important in the maintenance of epidermal barrier function, as components of cell membranes and as precursors of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes and other substances involved in mediating inflammation. There is increasing evidence that dietary supplementation with certain EFAs, notably gamma‐linolenic acid (GLA) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), can have anti‐inflammatory actions. In man, it has been shown that supplementation with evening primrose oil (EPO), a source of GLA, can ameliorate atopy. Recent studies in the dog indicate that both EPO and cold water marine fish oil (containing EPA) can ameliorate allergic skin disease and improve skin and coat condition. EFA supplementation also promises to be useful in the treatment of seborrhoea and other conditions in the cat.