Hey everyone, i made another thread a long long time ago under "i have hit a breakthrough" when i discovered the link between Vitamin A deficiency and keratosis pilaris. However today i have came across information that i think will answer all of out questions. I am going to write a lot of information but you must read it, as it is indeed the true cause to our annoying skin condition!!

There are two other names for keratosis pilaris including, 'follicular hyperkeratosis' and 'Phrynoderma'. I came across this by reading an article written on Vitamin A deficiency, 'unfortunately dietary surveys have shown that up to 60% of Americans receive less than two thirds of the recommended dietary allowance of Vitamin A. While a significant portion of the population has low Vitamin A serum levels, it is rare to observe the clinical symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency. Probably the most common clinical manifestation of mild Vitamin A deficiency is follicular hyperkeratosis, a rough keratinized skin which somewhat resembles goose bumps.'

I then googled follicular hyperkeratosis & Phrynoderma and came across so many articles that i have never read about before actually linking the skin condition to vitamin A and other nutrients. This is because i think a lot of researchers are not familiar with the name keratosis pilaris compared to the other two names.

follicular hyperkeratosis: a skin condition characterized by hyperkeratosis of hair follicles, resulting in rough, cone-shaped, elevated papules, the openings of which are often closed with a white plug of encrusted sebum." Deficiencies of vitamins A and E, B complex vitamins, and essential fatty acids have all been implicated in the etiology (cause). Called also phrynoderma and toadskin.

"Phrynoderma is a distinctive form of follicular hyperkeratosis associated with nutritional deficiency. Characteristic skin lesions are hyperkeratotic papules that first appear on the extensor surfaces of the extremities (arms and legs), shoulders, and buttocks. While the literature supports a link between phrynoderma and vitamins E, B, A, and essential fatty acids general malnutrition seems to be the strongest association."

In both of these quotes we can see that indeed these 2 names are the same skin condition as they have stated that they have the same deficiences and explained exactly what they are which is what we all know as keratosis pilaris!

Ok so already we can see that it isn't just Vitamin A that may be causing our KP but other nutrients including Vitamin E, B vitamins and Essential Fatty Acids. This answers a lot of peoples questions as to why their KP did not clear up with just the supplementation of Vitamin A. And it is also really interesting because a lot of people have had their Kp clear up with the use of essential fatty acids. And did you know that Vitamin A's absorprtion is increased with intake of good fats. So perhaps these people weren't deficient in vitamin A but just didnt have enough essential fatty acids to absorb Vitamin A.

See this is why everyone is individual! And not one thing is going to work for everyone as some individuals are going to be healthier than others and will not be deficient in all of these nutrients compared to others that may.
Here is more information to suggest why some people may have KP worse than others:
"Topping the list of those who are most vulnerable to vitamin A (beta-carotene) deficiencies are pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers, those who abuse alcohol or drugs and people who are undergoing excess stress for long periods of time. Patients who suffer from gastrointestinal problems (e.g IBS, constipation, diarrhea, celiacs/crohns/candida/parasites) require an adequate supply of the vitamin"

Also did you know that Vitamin A is actually absorbed in the small intestine?
And did you know that if you are lactose or wheat intolerant, this is the exact place where the molecules irritate the small intestine. Which means if u are eating foods that constantly irritate this area, your body produces mucous to help protect the small intestine from the constant irritation of dairy and wheat preventing you from absorbing the Vitamin A. This is why it is ideal to avoid lactose (dairy products). Wheat intolerances are seen in people with celiacs/chrons disease.

Another thing, B12 is also manufactured in our small intestine. And b12 is essential to absorb Iron. If this is the same place which is being irritated by lactose and wheat, we are not producing b12 and not absorbing Iron. A quick sign to check to see if you are deficient in b12 is looking at your nails. Do you have big white moons on all of your fingers? or can't you even see any moons on them. The bigger and more moons u have indicates the more b12 you have in your system. Cold hands and feet is also an indication of low iron, leading to anaemia.

"Vitamin A is absorbed along with fat from the proximal small intestine. The absorption is more rapid in men than women and the absorption is decreased with intestinal roundworm, hookworm, and giardiasis infestations. "
Dora and I have been contemplating a lot about parasitic infections and if this may be a cause, and as we can see this may indeed be a connection in some individuals. "

Ok so that is the information i have researched and discovered. So what does this all mean?
Start supplementing with:
Beta Carotene (RDA 5-6 mg) and (Vitamin A RDA 5000-10 000 IU)
B vitamin Complex (Blackmores Mega B is a good formulation)
Vitamin E (is often found in fish oil tablets read the back of the container) RDA 30 mg
Essential fatty acids- Fish oil RDA 3 000 g daily
Make an effort to listen to your body and avoid foods that your body doesnt like such as dairy products. Do you have a lot of allergies, stomach cramping, diarrhea etc after eating these foods? If so try to avoid them.

NOW knowing the cause of our skin problem, it is up to YOU to find these supplements, avoid the causes to why you may not be absorbing these nutrients and make sure you take the RDA (recommended daily intake of all of these nutrients) Skin lotions and exfoliators will help make your skin look better now but you will keep getting the bumps no matter what because u havent treated the cause. Would you prefer for it to take a longer time to treat the cause of your skin condition or forever keep applying a million lotions and scrubs to your skin every morning and night just to make the condition look a little better?

Eat healthier and take your health into your own hands! You can't blame dermatologists for not curing you or doctors for not curing you because you now know why you have this skin condition! you now have only yourself to blame. SO take your health into your own hands, treat the real cause to why you have this skin condition. DO IT NOW!

Wonderful Post!

Thanks just another thing to suggest, which isn't that important compared to the other nutrients. But if you dont have enough zinc then the proper metabolization of Vitamin A from liver storage is affected. so you could consider supplementing with zinc too, since it is really hard to get zinc from food because it is deficient in our soils.

thats a brilliant post rachel18, i think it should be a sticky!

Ed

Really a brilliant post! I have just opened a new threat here where I recounted my good experience with acid-base ballanced food...but now that I read your post, rachel18, maybe my diet works because it also includes reducing dairy products, eating a lot of fruit and vegetable which contain Vit A, B, and E, as well as much olive and sunflower oil.

thread I meant of course

Thanks guys! Yes changing the diet to a much healthier one is very important, but the thing is many people have changed their diets and it has improved their skin but not completely gotton rid of it. This has happened with me, ive completely cut out dairy and wheat from my diet and i eat a lot of whole grains, fruit and veges etc but still have KP. Which is why i think its important to supplement with these nutrients because we obviously are not getting them in sufficient amounts from our diet.

I bought all that you said and Im going to try it. But is it OK if I don't use zinc? I have a mutlivitiamin that has zinc that I take, is that ok?

yep that should be good enough

You're right, rachel18, my symptoms have very much improved since the diet but I keep being vulnerable, sometimes it's pills or stress, and sometimes just neglecting the diet. Focussing on the required Vitamins is a valuable advice! but I will still stick to food which contains these vitamins, carrots, sugar melons, spinach, salmon, olive oil etc. and try to avoid an overdose of Vit A which can also have some side-effects - it is actually not difficult to find in food if you don't eat pizza the whole day..even though it also gives you a nice slight tan during the summer
Actually, my problems with birth control, which I have recounted in other posts, have, according to my gyn, their origin in the inhibition of Vit-A and B absorption due to digestive disturbances caused by the hormones.

HOLY COW!!!!!!

THANKS SO MUCH RACHEL!!!!





P.S - i think im gonna name my pug kiwi lol.

Rachel,
how long have you been on this diet?is it fully working or are u you still waiting for results?i

Oh and also is it ok if I got a Fish Flax Bourge Vitamin Pill instead of just Fish Oil? I got it because it has omega 3 6 & 9. I heard that if you only take omega 3 you can become deficent in others.

Hi. I'm new here. My daughter, Sarah, has had KP since she was 7 months old. She's 3 now.

I have been giving her fish oil for her speech delay for a while now, but no where near the amount you list in your post. Is that right (3000g??). The rest of your post is very interesting. Thanks for the info!
Sharon

Yeah how are you suppose to get 3000 grams? That is a ton! Do you mean mg's?