If you’ve ever wondered whether fasting can help manage psoriasis, you’re not alone. From water fasts to intermittent fasting, more people are exploring restrictive eating strategies hoping for clear skin and symptom relief. But does it really work — and more importantly, is it sustainable?
At MGI Clinics, we’ve guided thousands of psoriasis patients through the healing process using our Mind-Gut-Immunity Method. And while fasting can offer short-term improvements, long-term psoriasis management requires a deeper approach that focuses on balancing the immune system by healing the gut.
The Real Link Between Psoriasis and Gut Health
What most people don’t realize is that psoriasis isn’t just a skin issue — it’s an immune system issue. And guess where 80% of your immune system lives? In your gut. Specifically, in something called the mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT), which interacts with food, bacteria, fungi, and even viruses every single day.
When this system gets out of balance — usually due to a disrupted gut microbiome — the immune system goes haywire. It starts attacking your own body, including your skin. That’s when flare-ups happen.
To truly treat psoriasis, we have to restore harmony in the gut microbiome, not starve it.
Fasting for Psoriasis: Short-Term Fix, Long-Term Risk?
Yes, fasting can temporarily relieve symptoms. When you stop eating, you reduce the workload on your digestive system. That can lower inflammation for a short time. Fasting also triggers processes like ketosis and autophagy, which help break down damaged cells — including inflamed skin cells.
But here’s the problem: fasting doesn’t feed your microbiome.
Without consistent intake of phytonutrients — plant-based compounds that regulate inflammation and support immune balance — the immune system can’t recalibrate. And as soon as food is reintroduced, especially if the gut is still imbalanced, symptoms often come back with a vengeance.
The Dangers of Prolonged or Frequent Fasting
Over time, repeated fasting can lead to a host of problems:
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Low BMI and muscle wasting
- Thyroid and endocrine dysfunction
- Chronic fatigue and sleep disturbances
- Protein-calorie malnutrition, which worsens skin and joint inflammation
Even worse, for those with a BMI under 18, fasting can drive the body into a catabolic state — breaking down muscle and skin instead of building them up. This makes healing from psoriasis nearly impossible without careful nutritional intervention.
What Works Better Than Fasting? A Phytonutrient-Driven Diet
The most effective approach we’ve seen is to reduce inflammation first — through food.
That’s why we created the Phyto Diet, a personalized nutritional strategy focused on four pillars:
- Phytonutrient Density and Diversity:
These include antioxidants, polyphenols, prebiotics, and more — all essential for calming inflammation and repairing gut lining. - Macronutrient Balance:
We generally recommend:
- 50% healthy fats
- 25% protein
- 25% low-glycemic carbohydrates
- 50% healthy fats
- This balance helps starve inflammatory microbes like Candida and supports skin and tissue repair.
- Microbiome Specificity:
Each patient’s gut microbiome is unique. We tailor food plans to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria while suppressing harmful ones. - Avoidance of Food Sensitivities:
Many people with psoriasis have hidden sensitivities to gluten, dairy, or even eggs. Identifying and eliminating these is crucial.
Still Considering Fasting? Here’s a Smarter Way
If you’re determined to try fasting, consider supporting your body with herbal teas. Teas made from turmeric, ginger, or green tea leaves offer anti-inflammatory phytonutrients like polyphenols without breaking your fast. They help bridge the nutrient gap and keep inflammation in check.
But remember, the goal isn’t to avoid food — it’s to eat the right food.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are phytonutrients and how do they help psoriasis?
Phytonutrients are plant compounds like polyphenols and antioxidants that calm inflammation and repair gut lining. By supplying diverse phytonutrients through colorful fruits, vegetables, herbs, and seeds, you nourish beneficial gut bacteria, support immune balance, and reinforce the skin’s natural barrier against flare-ups.
2. How do I know if my gut microbiome is contributing to my psoriasis?
Signs of dysbiosis include chronic digestive issues (bloating, irregular bowel movements), frequent skin flares, and systemic inflammation markers (e.g., elevated CRP). A stool analysis or microbiome test can identify reduced diversity or overgrowth of harmful bacteria, guiding targeted dietary and probiotic interventions.
3. What are the risks of prolonged or frequent fasting for skin health?
Extended fasting can lead to nutrient deficiencies, muscle wasting, endocrine disruptions, and chronic fatigue—conditions that exacerbate skin and joint inflammation. For those with low BMI (<18), fasting may trigger catabolism of skin and muscle tissue, hindering rather than helping psoriasis recovery.
4. Can I combine fasting with a phytonutrient-driven diet safely?
If you choose to fast, support your body with anti-inflammatory herbal teas (e.g., turmeric, ginger, green tea) to bridge nutrient gaps without breaking your fast. However, the primary focus should remain on a balanced, phytonutrient-rich diet—fasting should supplement, not replace, the foods that feed your microbiome and immune system.
Taking Control of Your Health
Fasting might feel like a quick fix, but it rarely offers lasting relief. True, long-term psoriasis management comes from nourishing your body — not depriving it. By focusing on personalized, anti-inflammatory nutrition that supports your gut and immune system, you can take real steps toward remission.
For personalized guidance and support, schedule a discovery call with Dr. Chanu Dasari at MGI Clinics. Our Case Studies page features stories of patients who have successfully managed their conditions through the Mind-Gut-Immunity Method.
Start Your Journey to Better Health Today
Discover the transformative power of the Mind-Gut-Immunity Method! Over the past decade, Dr. Dasari has helped countless clients reduce inflammation and find relief from autoimmune issues, often in just 3-6 weeks. Now, you can start your journey to better health with our free training. Click the link below, choose your condition, and learn how our proven approach can help you feel better fast.
About the Author
Dr. Chanu Dasari, a distinguished clinician with a career spanning renowned institutions like Vanderbilt University, Oxford University, and the University of California, has made significant contributions to medical research and practice. His work, published in top peer-reviewed scientific journals and adopted by the US Department of Health, highlights his commitment to advancing healthcare. Dr. Dasari is board-certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American College of Surgeons, with a specialization in hernia repair, gallbladder removal, cysts, digestive disease, and cancer. As the founder of the Mind-Gut-Immunity Clinic, he draws from personal experience with autoimmune and digestive dysfunction to lead a team dedicated to patient-centered care using evidence-based protocols.
The insights and recommendations presented in this article are underpinned by rigorous scientific research, including the following key studies:
- Hidalgo‐Cantabrana C, Gómez J, Boscá L, Ortega M, Codoñer FM, Marín L, et al. Gut microbiota dysbiosis in a cohort of patients with psoriasis. Journal of Dermatological Science. 2019;94(1):40–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2019.01.009 PubMed
- Zhao Q, Yu J, Zhou H, Wang X, Zhang C, Hu J, et al. Intestinal dysbiosis exacerbates the pathogenesis of psoriasis-like phenotype through changes in fatty acid metabolism. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. 2023;8(1):40. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-022-01219-0
