Is There a Relationship Between Our Diet and the Skin?

By Anne Marie Tremaine, MD

I am frequently asked by my patients if diet is the cause of their skin condition or if there are dietary treatment options for their complaint. This subject matter is difficult to delve into in a concise manner partly because the topic is so broad, but mostly because the science isn’t clear. Bottomline, the answer isn’t novel, the recommendation is to eat a well-rounded diet and enjoy everything in moderation.

There is one exception, a skin condition where the role of diet is very clear. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering skin condition that is often associated with Celiac disease. Patients with this condition are likely genetically predisposed. They must avoid all gluten because it triggers an immunologic response that causes inflammation of the stomach and the skin.

Some believe in “anti-inflammatory” diets for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Foods thought to cause inflammation:
– Red meat
– Processed foods
– Refined sugar
– Dairy

It is better to choose lean proteins like chicken, fish, and beans; fresh foods rather than processed; and consume dairy in moderation. Flax seed, olive oil, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts are considered to be anti-inflammatory. There has always been debate about the inflammatory nature of night shade vegetables (potato, tomato, eggplant, bell pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper). There really isn’t enough evidence to demonize these nutritious foods and avoidance of these foods is not endorsed by medical societies such as the National Psoriasis Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, and the American Academy of Dermatology.

There is data to demonstrate that psoriasis improves with weight reduction. Sorry folks, I know it’s not a riveting new theory, but a balanced diet combined with exercise will result in weight loss and improvement in the skin.

As a teen, I remember people telling me pizza and chocolate would make my acne worse. While this tale isn’t completely true, there is some evidence in the acne literature that supports limiting dairy and avoiding a high sugar diet.

I do think each of us may have different triggers for our skin. I always recommend listening to your body. If you feel a certain food exacerbates your skin condition, I do think avoidance of said food is key.

Despite what you might find on the internet, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to provide a definitive answer to the question above. For now, we must consume healthy whole foods and eat in moderation.

Anne Marie Tremaine, MD
Board Certified Dermatolgist
Harvard Cosmetic and Laser Medicine Fellowship

Dr. Tremaine is a board-certified dermatologist with fellowship training at Harvard Medical School in laser and cosmetic surgery. She has contributed as a dermatology expert for online and print magazines including Family Fun, msn.com, menshealth.com, and ccn.com. In addition, she frequently lectures to professional societies on her diverse research. For more information about skin care visit the Skin Wellness

Physicians website at: www.skinwellnessflorida.com