SEOUL, KoreaFindings from a recent study suggest higher antioxidant nutritional status reduces the risk of atopic dermatitis (AD) and such risk-reduction effects depend on nutrient type (Eu J Clin Nutr. 2010; Jan. 27). Subjects included 180 AD and 242 non-AD children, identified from preschools by using the Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).

AD was associated negatively with intakes of antioxidant-related nutrients. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95 percent confidence interval were 0.44 for the highest (versus lowest) quintile of beta-carotene. A similar association was observed for dietary vitamin E, folic acid and iron. Reduced AD risk was found with 1 s.d. increase of serum alpha-tocopherol and retinol concentrations, and marginally with that of serum beta-carotene levels. There was no relationship of AD risk with dietary and plasma vitamin C, as well as nutrient supplement intake regardless of nutrient type. AD was predicted better by the intake measure than the corresponding blood biomarker regarding vitamin E and beta-carotene.