Will a Mediterranean Diet Help Your Psoriasis?

Following a Mediterranean style diet with lots of vegetables, extra-virgin olive oil, whole grains and fish is good for your heart and your metabolism. Several studies suggest this way of eating might even help your psoriasis, with the French first to chime in (JAMA Dermatology, Sep. 2018). Scientists also confirmed this possibility through research with mice (Journal of Investigative Dermatology, July 2021). Even more convincing is the current data derived from a randomized controlled diet trial (JAMA Dermatology, Sept. 24, 2025).

How a Mediterranean Diet Could Help Your Psoriasis:

Nutrition experts have praised the Mediterranean diet as a way to reduce cardiovascular risk. It also may be helpful as a way to lower the likelihood of developing dementia and a natural approach to calming inflammation.

Now dermatologists have announced the results of a study showing that four months on a Mediterranean diet can reduce the severity of psoriasis symptoms. Almost half of the participants following a Mediterranean diet reduced their psoriasis score by 75%, and none of those on the control diet did so. The researchers conclude that this dietary strategy could be helpful, along with medical treatment.

Western Diet Boosts Inflammation:

How does a high sugar and moderate fat diet affect inflammation? A new study found that when mice are put on such a regimen to mimic a Western diet, they develop skin and joint inflammation. These changes are accompanied by alterations in the gut microbiome.

Even a short time on a Western diet can result in dysbiosis: unhealthy changes in the types of intestinal bacteria. Under these conditions, people (or in this case mice) produce more inflammatory compounds such as cytokines. The scientists had designed this inflammatory state to mimic psoriasis.

When they treated the mice with broad-spectrum antibiotics, that suppressed the inflammation. More encouraging, however, was that switching the animals to a diet low in sugar and high in vegetables and fruits also reduced inflammation. It seems very likely that a low-sugar, high-produce diet could help your psoriasis.

The authors conclude that

“modifications toward a healthier dietary pattern should be considered in patients with psoriatic skin and/or joint disease.”

How Could Diet Help Your Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease in which skin cells turn over far more rapidly than usual. As a result, plaques of red, itchy skin with silvery scales may appear on elbows, knees, scalp, back and other regions of the skin. People with psoriasis may also notice thickening or pitting of their nails. Some people with psoriatic skin patches also develop the inflamed joints of psoriatic arthritis. They may be more susceptible to other inflammatory conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

Reducing Inflammation with Diet:

A Mediterranean-type diet seems to lower inflammation (Bonaccio et al, Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2015). Consequently, the French scientists were curious whether it would help your psoriasis. The web-based survey (NutriNet-Santé) of more than 35,000 people identified 3,557 individuals with psoriasis. All of the volunteers filled out detailed questionnaires on eating habits and lifestyle factors such as smoking and exercise. They also answered questions about their symptoms.

The scientists rated the diets according to how closely they followed an ideal Mediterranean pattern. Participants who adhered most closely to the healthful high-veggie diet were 29 percent less likely to have severe psoriasis than those whose diets did not conform. An observational study of this type cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between diet and skin inflammation. However, it is a low-risk recommendation to add a Mediterranean diet to other psoriasis treatments.

According to the scientists,

“The Mediterranean diet may slow the progression of psoriasis, so an optimized diet should be part of the multidisciplinary management of moderate to severe psoriasis.”

Learn More:

A Mediterranean diet is not just pasta and pizza. If you would like some details on how to follow this eating plan to help your psoriasis, you’ll find them in our book, Quick & Handy Home Remedies. 

You may also wish to listen to Dr. Barry Sears describe how the Zone Diet compares to a Mediterranean pattern. It is Show #989: The Mediterranean Zone Diet.