Trial Information

Milk Minimization and Acne Recurrence Trial (MMART)

Acne is one of the most common dermatologic diseases affecting 40 to 50 million people in
the United States, most of who are adolescents and young adults. In addition to the
well-recognized physical sequelae of this condition, several studies have linked severe acne
to considerable social impairments and serious psychological conditions including suicidal
ideation and major depression. Furthermore, severe acne has been recognized in some studies
as a risk factor for breast cancer, suggesting that these conditions may have common causes.
Little is known about the role of diet in the pathogenesis of acne. Recent analyses of the
Nurses’ Health Study II and the Growing-Up Today Study suggest that high intake of milk
increases the risk of developing acne during adolescence. Despite the consistency of
findings between these two studies, they cannot be regarded as conclusive and further
research is needed in this area. Establishing the nature of the association between milk
intake and acne can have broad clinical and public health implications. It could enhance the
currently existing therapeutic options for the treatment of acne. More importantly, public
health recommendations regarding milk and dairy intake could be designed in order to prevent
its effects on the sebaceous glands and probably other hormone sensitive glands like the
breast.

To test the hypothesis that milk intake increases the risk of developing acne, we will
compare the effect of minimizing milk and dairy intake against not making changes in the
diet of subjects who usually consume at least 2 servings/day of milk and dairy products on
the recurrence of acne lesions among patients previously treated with isotretinoin.