Specific vitamins may curb atopic dermatitis risk in young Chinese adults

Higher dietary intake of vitamins E, K1, C, B2, and D appears to mitigate the risk of atopic dermatitis (AD) in young Chinese adults from Singapore and Malaysia, as shown in a large study.

Vitamin E

In a cohort of young Chinese participants in the Singapore/Malaysia Cross-sectional Genetics Epidemiology Study, high dietary vitamin E intake reduced the odds of AD by 18 percent following adjustments for total fat intake (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.82, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.69–0.97; p=0.02). [JID Innov 2025;5:100387]

The protective effect of vitamin E is likely related to its being a potent antioxidant, helping with oxidative stress and inflammation associated with AD, according to the investigators. This is supported by evidence from supplementation studies, wherein vitamin E supplementation at doses ranging from 400 to 1,200 IU/day over 4–8 months led to AD symptom improvement, they added.

Vitamin D

For vitamin D, a modest dose–response relationship between higher dietary intake levels and lower odds of AD emerged (aOR, 0.90, 95 percent CI, 0.83–0.99; p=0.03) was observed.

The investigators advised careful interpretation of the finding due to the complexity of vitamin D metabolism, as evidenced by mixed results in previous research, and the potential confounding effect of sun exposure. [An Bras Dermatol 2013;88:945-953; Dermatoendocrinol 2013;5:51-108]

However, in a subset analysis of 1,016 participants, the impact of sun exposure was found to be minimal, and the protective association between dietary vitamin D intake and AD remained significant (aOR, 0.69, 95 percent CI, 0.48–0.99; p<0.05).

Vitamins K1, B2, C

Similarly, dietary vitamins K1 and B2 intake had an inverse dose–response association with AD (K1: aOR, 0.85, 95 percent CI, 0.76–0.95; p<0.001 and B2: aOR, 0.88, 95 percent CI, 0.78–0.98; p=0.02).

Vitamin C was also associated with significantly reduced odds of AD despite adjusting for smoking (aOR, 0.88, 95 percent CI, 0.81–0.95; p=0.01). However, this association disappeared after controlling for fruit intake, suggesting that the observed effect could mainly be attributed to the vitamin C present in fruit, as the investigators pointed out.

In additional analysis, even just low-to-moderate vitamin C intake, when combined with high fruit consumption, was enough to reduce the odds of AD (aOR, 0.64, 95 percent CI, 0.46–0.88; p=0.01).

“These findings highlight the potential of nutrient-dense dietary patterns, particularly those high in fruit and vegetables, as a practical approach to supporting long-term management of AD,” the investigators said.

Overall, the study provides evidence on the potential role of dietary vitamins in mitigating AD risk and warrants further research into whole-food-based dietary strategies for AD management, they added.

Study details

The study included 1,979 participants with AD (defined by the presence of recurrent flexural rash in the past 12 months) and 3,650 with no allergies or eczema. The mean age was 22.45 years in the AD group and 22.73 in the control group, with the majority of participants being female (59.4 percent and 70.7 percent, respectively). The mean BMI was 21.20 and 20.76 kg/m² in the respective groups.

Dietary intake was assessed using a validated, investigator-administered semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, which covered 16 common food groups.