madman
Super Moderator
Dermatologists often are asked by patients to provide dietary recommendations. It was previously thought that many skin conditions were unaffected by diet; however, increasing associations between specific nutritional practices and dermatologic conditions are being recognized. The role of diet in acne has been well studied, but rigorous studies on dietary interventions for other common skin conditions are lacking. Understanding the current nutritional strategies employed by patients as well as the existing literature behind these practices are crucial for dermatologists to provide recommendations for patients regarding diet and skin disease.
Within the last decade, almost 3000 articles have been published on the role of diet in the prevention and management of dermatologic conditions. Patients are increasingly interested in—and employing—dietary modifications that may influence skin appearance and aid in the treatment of cutaneous disease.1 It is essential that dermatologists are familiar with existing evidence on the role of diet in dermatology to counsel patients appropriately. Herein, we discuss the compositions of several popular diets and their proposed utility for dermatologic purposes. We highlight the limited literature that exists surrounding this topic and emphasize the need for future, well-designed clinical trials that study the impact of diet on skin disease.
*Ketogenic Diet
*Low FODMAP Diet
*Gluten-Free Diet
*Low Histamine Diet
*Mediterranean Diet
*Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet
*Paleolithic Diet
*Carnivore Diet
Final Thoughts
The adjunctive role of diet in the treatment of skin disease is expanding and becoming more widely accepted among dermatologists. Unfortunately, there remains a lack of randomized controlled trials confirming the efficacy of various dietary interventions in the dermatologic setting. Although evidence-based dietary recommendations currently are limited, it is important for dermatologists to be aware of the varied and nuanced dietary interventions employed by patients.
Ultimately, dietary recommendations must be personalized, considering a patient’s comorbidities, personal beliefs and preferences, and nutrigenetics. The emerging field of dermatonutrigenomics—the study of how dietary compounds interact with one’s genes to influence skin health—may allow for precise dietary recommendations to be made in dermatologic practice. Direct-to-consumer genetic tests targeted toward dermatology patients are already on the market, but their clinical utility awaits validation.1 Because nutritional science is a constantly evolving field, becoming familiar with these popular diets will serve both dermatologists and their patients well.
Within the last decade, almost 3000 articles have been published on the role of diet in the prevention and management of dermatologic conditions. Patients are increasingly interested in—and employing—dietary modifications that may influence skin appearance and aid in the treatment of cutaneous disease.1 It is essential that dermatologists are familiar with existing evidence on the role of diet in dermatology to counsel patients appropriately. Herein, we discuss the compositions of several popular diets and their proposed utility for dermatologic purposes. We highlight the limited literature that exists surrounding this topic and emphasize the need for future, well-designed clinical trials that study the impact of diet on skin disease.
*Ketogenic Diet
*Low FODMAP Diet
*Gluten-Free Diet
*Low Histamine Diet
*Mediterranean Diet
*Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet
*Paleolithic Diet
*Carnivore Diet
Final Thoughts
The adjunctive role of diet in the treatment of skin disease is expanding and becoming more widely accepted among dermatologists. Unfortunately, there remains a lack of randomized controlled trials confirming the efficacy of various dietary interventions in the dermatologic setting. Although evidence-based dietary recommendations currently are limited, it is important for dermatologists to be aware of the varied and nuanced dietary interventions employed by patients.
Ultimately, dietary recommendations must be personalized, considering a patient’s comorbidities, personal beliefs and preferences, and nutrigenetics. The emerging field of dermatonutrigenomics—the study of how dietary compounds interact with one’s genes to influence skin health—may allow for precise dietary recommendations to be made in dermatologic practice. Direct-to-consumer genetic tests targeted toward dermatology patients are already on the market, but their clinical utility awaits validation.1 Because nutritional science is a constantly evolving field, becoming familiar with these popular diets will serve both dermatologists and their patients well.
