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An Umbrella Review on the Prevention of Skin Diseases: Do Specific Nutrients Play a Protective Role?

  • 2026-02-28
  • Preventive nutrition and food science 31(1)
    • Giuseppa Granvillano
    • Michelangelo Mercogliano
    • Andrea Vecchietti
    • Giuseppa Minutolo
    • Camilla Lugli
    • Paolo Strano
    • Martina Chimienti
    • Marzia Pellegrini
    • Giovanni Leonardo Briganti
    • Gloria Spatari
    • Francesco Leonforte
    • Teresa Urbano
    • Antonio Lorenzon

Study Design

Type
Review
Sample size
n = 229
Population
general populations and high-risk but disease-free individuals, either in utero or aged 0－80 years old
Methods
Umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses; manuscripts extracted from four online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane) using keywords and MeSH terms
Skin diseases affect a considerable proportion of the population worldwide, with a substantial impact on quality of life. The power of certain foods, beverages, and dietary supplements for the primary prevention of these diseases remains poorly understood and is not widely disseminated. The aim of this umbrella review was to evaluate specific nutrients in the primary prevention of skin diseases. Manuscripts were extracted from four online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane) using keywords and MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms. The inclusion criteria were general populations and high-risk but disease-free individuals, food and dietary supplementation intake, their effects on the primary prevention of skin diseases, and systematic reviews or meta-analyses. When performing a further search, other studies were included, but manuscripts regarding risk factors and diets were excluded. A total of six studies were included in this umbrella review, which covered a period between 2001 and 2023 and included a total of 9,229 participants, either in utero or aged 0－80 years old. The preventive effect of green tea catechins on ultraviolet radiation-induced erythema was highlighted, as well as the role of Lactobacillus probiotics in infant atopic eczema. Finally, niacinamide supplementation reduced the incidence of basal and squamous cell carcinoma (the major subtypes of non-melanoma skin cancer). Despite the small number of studies identified, the emerging evidence provided some insights into the primary prevention of certain skin diseases and may serve as a foundation for future studies.

Research Insights

  • Vitamin B3→Reduced Basal Cell Carcinoma

    niacinamide supplementation reduced the incidence of basal and squamous cell carcinoma (the major subtypes of non-melanoma skin cancer)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Vitamin B3→Reduced Squamous Cell Carcinoma

    niacinamide supplementation reduced the incidence of basal and squamous cell carcinoma (the major subtypes of non-melanoma skin cancer)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
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