In recent years, the carnivore diet gained traction for its unapologetically meat-centric model of nutrition. The diet enthusiasts claim that it cures everything from inflammation to autoimmune diseases – including psoriasis. But are these arguments backed by science? Is the removal of all plant-based foods the solution for managing the symptoms of psoriasis?
In this article, we will discuss the carnivore diet, what it is, how it can influence the condition of psoriasis, and whether it is effective and safe for the treatment of the disease.
Psoriasis and Diet: What’s the Link?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that creates red scales across the skin’s surface. Psoriasis results from the immune system’s attack on normal skin cells that are growing quickly.
Psoriasis has currently no cure, but diet affects the symptoms, researchers find. Some trigger inflammation and others are soothing to the immune system. [1]
A lot of people with the condition find that making diet tweaks such as lowering the intake of sugar, alcohol, and processed foods are successful at preventing flare-ups. So, is the carnivore diet with the exclusion of carbs and vegetables the solution?How Can the Carnivore Diet Help Psoriasis?
There is limited scientific research on the carnivore diet and psoriasis, but some people report that it helps their symptoms. The diet might be of benefit for the following reasons:
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Reduces inflammation
Since the carnivore diet rules out processed foods, refined sugars, and known inflammation triggers such as seed oils, people find that they feel better about the health of their skin.
Specifically, the diet contains high amounts of the anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids from fish and animal fats. The Omega-3s have been shown to reduce the severity of the symptoms of psoriasis by soothing the immune responses of the body. [4]
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Eliminates Trigger Foods
Plant foods contain lectins, gluten, and vegetables of the nightshade type that are known to trigger inflammation in people. Just by avoiding the intake of all the plant foods, the carnivore diet automatically eliminates these triggers that are likely to trigger flare-ups.
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Improves Gut Health
There is emerging evidence that gut health is also very important in psoriasis. The imbalance of the gut bacteria can result in systemic inflammation, which can lead to autoimmune responses. [5]
Yet it should be noted that fiber, derived from plant sources of nutrition, is also crucial for the health of the gut. The carnivore diet, lacking fiber, might be more of a negative for individuals rather than a positive.
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Helps with Weight Management
Psoriasis has a link with obesity, and it triggers inflammation within the body. A 2021 study concluded that the low-calorie ketogenic diet, just like the carnivore diet, helped with the reduction of inflammation for individuals with psoriasis. [6] Loss of excess weight may reduce inflammation and ease psoriasis symptoms.
The Risks of the Carnivore Diet for Psoriasis
While the carnivore diet has positive attributes, it carries risks and negative consequences — most notably for people with psoriasis.
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Nutrient Deficiencies
By eliminating fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, the carnivore diet eliminates such vital nutrients as:
- Vitamin C: For collagen synthesis and skin health.
- Fiber: Vital for gut health and reducing systemic inflammation.
- Antioxidants: Assist in combating oxidative stress, a cause of psoriasis flare-ups.
In the long term, this can cause deficiencies that are likely to worsen rather than treat the psoriasis.
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Increased Saturated Fat Intake
The diet is extremely high in saturated fats from red meat and animal products. While some studies suggest that saturated fats alone do not cause heart disease. But they can still trigger inflammation in some people — especially those with autoimmune conditions.
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Lack of Long-Term Research
No direct scientific study between the carnivore diet and more successful psoriasis results currently exists. A great deal of the evidence is anecdotal — that is, people’s experiences rather than clinical trials. Some people are successful with the diet, but it isn’t clear if it is the elimination of processed foods that they are successful with or something about the all-meat diet.
