How could diet affect psoriatic arthritis?

    Written by:

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Certain foods may trigger symptoms in some people with psoriatic arthritis. Individuals report relief from following popular diets, including gluten-free, low carbohydrate, and Paleolithic diets. Although the effect of specific diets is unclear, weight loss through diet may help control disease symptoms because obesity is associated with increased disease activity.

    In some people with psoriatic arthritis, eating certain foods seems to trigger symptoms,[1] and certain diets, such as gluten free, low carbohydrate and Paleolithic are popular among patients.[2] Fasting, vegetarian, and Mediterranean-style diets have also been evaluated in patients with psoriatic arthritis, but the overall quality of evidence is low.

    Although the effect of different diet interventions is not clear, obesity is associated with significantly higher disease activity in psoriatic arthritis patients.[3] Thus, any diet leading to weight loss may be helpful for controlling disease symptoms.