Key takeaways

  • Research indicates a potential connection between gluten intake and psoriasis. Some studies have found that individuals with psoriasis reported improvements when following a gluten-free diet, though more research is needed.
  • A gluten-free diet may reduce psoriasis symptoms for some by avoiding gluten, a group of proteins found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, and increasing intake of fruits and vegetables.
  • Anyone considering a gluten-free diet should seek personalized advice from a doctor or a registered dietitian to ensure they get the proper nutrients and to monitor their psoriasis symptoms

Some studies have suggested that eating a gluten-free diet can help reduce the symptoms.

Psoriasis develops when the immune system does not function properly, causing the inflammation that affects the skin and joints.

People with psoriasis seem to have a higher chance of developing other autoimmune diseases, including celiac disease.

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Gluten refers to a group of proteins that occur in wheat and other similar grains, including rye and barley.

Celiac disease

People with celiac disease tend to avoid foods that contain gluten, as it can lead to worsening symptoms and sometimes complications.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition wherein the immune system treats gluten-derived peptides as foreign invaders and attacks the gluten and lining of the intestines.

Gluten occurs in a wide range of foods, from baked goods and soups to some alcoholic beverages. It can also be present in some cosmetics and medications.

The following foods typically contain gluten:

  • breads
  • pastas
  • pizzas
  • cookies
  • cakes
  • some processed meats
  • salad dressings

A person who wishes to avoid gluten should read all food labels carefully, as it can be hard to predict which foods contain gluten.

Gluten sensitivity

Some people may have a sensitivity to gluten as opposed to celiac disease. These people may also benefit from avoiding gluten.

If someone has a sensitivity to gluten but does not have celiac disease, they may have a condition called non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Symptoms can occur when a person consumes something that contains gluten. They include:

There is no specific way to diagnose gluten sensitivity. If a person experiences problems after eating gluten, a doctor will first need to rule out celiac disease and other conditions before diagnosing gluten sensitivity.

Many people with psoriasis wonder whether or not a gluten-free diet can help improve their symptoms.

A 2023 review notes that it is fairly common for people with psoriasis to follow a gluten-free diet in an attempt to improve their symptoms. The review also noted other diets, such as the Mediterranean, vegetarian, palaeolithic, and ketogenic diets.

A study in 2017 showed that 44.6% of psoriasis patients reported avoiding gluten, with 53.4% experiencing condition improvement or clearance due to a gluten-free diet. Various studies from a 2020 review showed an improvement in people with psoriasis who followed a gluten-free diet. However, the review authors noted more studies are needed to fully explore this correlation.

One 2021 analysis studied 85,185 participants regarding gluten intake and psoriasis, 85,324 for psoriatic arthritis and gluten intake, and 63,443 for gluten intake and atopic dermatitis. It did not find any correlation that showed intake of gluten raised a person’s risk of developing psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or atopic dermatitis in adult women.

These results suggest that a gluten-free diet might benefit some people with psoriasis.

Adopting a gluten-free diet can have pros and cons.

A gluten-free diet may help relieve some of the symptoms of psoriasis.

For some people, making careful decisions about food can also lead to a more healthful diet and lifestyle overall, especially if a person increases their intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.

In fact, some people with celiac disease say they have more energy when they follow a gluten-free diet.

People who follow a gluten-free diet can only eat foods that are gluten-free. Therefore, it is vital to read the packaging carefully and to avoid anything that contains gluten. Many stores now have a range of gluten-free products, but these can be expensive.

Other considerations include:

  • possible nutritional deficiencies as a result of this diet
  • impact on social activities
  • the effects of following a restrictive diet

It can be challenging to find the right foods and to follow the diet, especially when cooking for a family who may not be following a gluten-free diet. Many restaurants now offer gluten-free items, but these can make eating out somewhat restrictive.

Possible deficiencies

Following a gluten-free diet may also result in low levels of certain vitamins and nutrients, including:

A person should speak to their doctor before starting the diet and ask for advice on how to get these vital nutrients. A doctor may recommend taking vitamins and other supplements.

In 2018, researchers expressed concern that some people were following a gluten-free diet when they did not need to, and that this could have a negative impact in some cases.

Doctors may advise some individuals not to follow a gluten-free diet.

People with psoriasis who follow a gluten-free diet may need to follow it for at least 3 months, as it may take this long for them to see any improvements in their condition.

However, it is difficult to predict an exact timeline or expected improvements.

After 3 months, a person can consider adding gluten back into their diet while monitoring for any psoriasis symptoms, such as skin changes and joint pain.

If symptoms do not return when adding gluten, the person can probably return to their usual diet.

Anyone considering a gluten-free diet should talk to their doctor and a dietitian about the best way to go about it.