The Mediterranean Diet as a Potential Solution to the Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Psoriasis Patients

Abstract

Background Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet (MeD) has been associated with lower disease severity in patients with psoriasis. However, the mechanism behind how this diet may lead to disease modification remain understudied. Recent studies have revealed dysbiosis of the gut microbiome in patients with psoriasis suggestive of inflammation and altered immune regulation. Diet affects the gut microbiome and this review aims to evaluate whether correcting this dysbiosis may be one theoretical mechanism by which the MeD may be associated with lower psoriasis severity. Methods A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted for the terms 1) ‘psoriasis’ and ‘microbiome’ or ‘microbiota,’ and 2) ‘Mediterranean diet’ and ‘microbiome’ or ‘microbiota’ with manual screening for relevant articles. In total, we identified 9 relevant primary research studies investigating the gut microbiome in patients with psoriasis and 16 relevant primary research studies investigating changes in the microbiota for those consuming a MeD. Results Though varying in exact levels of certain bacteria, studies analyzing the microbiome in psoriasis revealed dysbiosis. Those analyzing the effect of the Mediterranean diet on the microbiome revealed beneficial changes, including alleviating some of the same alterations seen in the microbiome of those with psoriasis. Conclusion Microbiota change is a possible mechanism why the MeD has previously been associated with lower psoriasis severity.