Botox® Efficacy Enhanced By Oral Supplements

According to recent research conducted by Charles Soparkar, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S., a dietary supplement that combines zinc and phytase increases the effectiveness of Botox® Cosmetic on patients. Plastic Surgery Practice reports that the supplement, trademarked as ZYTAZE™, is patent-pending and may be available to patients as early as this month.

The study analyzed 44 patients who had taken the oral supplements prior to being injected with botulinum toxin (Botox®, Dysport®, or Myobloc®). Forty-one of the 44 patients showed noticeable results. Multiple subjects were being treated for blepharospasm, or eyelid spasms, and had previously responded poorly to the injections.

Soparkar and his team will present the findings at the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery’s 41st Annual Fall Scientific Symposium in Chicago on October 14, 2010.

"Surprisingly, the results showed that in over 90% of the patients studied, the zinc/phytase combination resulted in a remarkable improved responsiveness to treatment of blepharospasm using the same amount of botulinum toxin as previously used," Soparkar told Plastic Surgery Practice.

"The toxins seemed to have greater effect and last longer. Potentially, this could mean using less toxin, offering patients financial savings, greater safety, and more consistent results."

Perhaps future findings will prove that the natural inclusion of diets rich in phytase and zinc can also improve the results of botulinum toxin injections. Pythase can currently be found in many grains and oil seeds, while foods like oysters and wheat germ are great sources of zinc.