Psoriasis is more than just a skin condition—it’s a reflection of internal inflammation, often triggered by an imbalanced gut microbiome. In the search for relief, many people turn to extreme diets like the carnivore diet, which promises rapid results by cutting out inflammatory carbohydrates. But is it really the long-term solution your skin needs?
At MGI Clinics, we’ve seen firsthand how diet plays a central role in managing autoimmune conditions like psoriasis. Let’s unpack what the carnivore diet can do—and where it falls short—when it comes to calming the inflammation that fuels psoriasis.
What is the Carnivore Diet for Psoriasis?
The carnivore diet is as strict as it sounds: it involves eating only animal products—meat, eggs, and some animal-based fats. It eliminates all plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and even herbs. The logic? By cutting out all carbohydrates, the diet deprives harmful gut bacteria and fungi of their primary fuel source—sugar, starch, and fiber—which can temporarily reduce inflammation and ease psoriasis flare-ups.
Some patients report short-term improvements, and that’s not surprising. Carbohydrates can feed the overgrowth of inflammatory microbes in the gut. But there’s a catch…
Why It Fails as a Long-Term Strategy
The carnivore diet might reduce symptoms initially, but it doesn’t resolve the root cause: gut dysbiosis—an imbalance in the gut microbiome that leads to overproduction of inflammatory cytokines like interleukin 12 (IL-12) and interleukin 23 (IL-23). These inflammatory messengers are often elevated in people with psoriasis and are major targets of biologic drugs.
The problem? Simply cutting out carbs doesn’t restore a healthy microbiome—it just starves the bad bugs temporarily. The moment you reintroduce fiber or plant foods, symptoms often return with a vengeance.
The Missing Piece: Phytonutrients
One of the biggest drawbacks of the carnivore diet is its complete lack of phytonutrients—plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These include:
- Polyphenols
- Chlorophyll
- Resistant starches
- Prebiotics
- Omega-rich plant fats
Without these nutrients, your gut lining struggles to heal, your microbiome diversity stays low, and inflammation continues to simmer beneath the surface.
By contrast, phytonutrient-rich diets actively encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria and promote the formation of a protective biofilm in the gut. This biofilm crowds out harmful microbes and reduces the immune system’s inflammatory response.
Microbiome Matters: Why Diversity Wins
A healthy gut is a diverse gut. Our clinical experience—and thousands of microbiome stool tests—show that people following carnivore diets rarely have robust, diverse microbiomes. While they might see temporary improvement, it’s not sustainable.
In our Mind-Gut-Immunity Method, we focus on rebalancing the microbiome using targeted probiotics, prebiotics, and personalized nutrition plans. This creates lasting change in the gut ecosystem and leads to long-term improvement in psoriasis symptoms.
Food Sensitivities and the Carnivore Diet
Another concern? Food sensitivities. Ironically, restricting your diet to mostly meat and eggs increases the risk of developing sensitivities to animal proteins. These sensitivities can drive up inflammation and worsen your symptoms over time, leaving you with fewer safe foods and more unpredictable flares.
Instead of narrowing your options, the goal should be to gradually expand your diet—once your gut is balanced—so you can tolerate a variety of foods without triggering a flare.
When the Carnivore Diet Might Help
To be clear, we’re not entirely against short-term use of the carnivore diet. For some people, it can provide quick relief during a severe flare-up. But it’s a temporary tool—not a cure.
A better approach is to use that window of relief to transition into a personalized phytonutrient-rich diet that restores microbiome health and supports long-term healing.
The Mind-Gut-Immunity Method: A Better Path Forward
At MGI Clinics, our approach is rooted in identifying and resolving the root causes of psoriasis—not just masking symptoms. Our Mind-Gut-Immunity Method evaluates four key factors when crafting a psoriasis nutrition plan:
- Phytonutrient density and diversity
- Macronutrient needs (fat, protein, carb balance)
- Microbiome specificity (what your gut flora needs)
- Food sensitivity testing
By addressing each of these areas, we help patients build a resilient gut, reduce systemic inflammation, and gain dietary flexibility over time—even allowing for the occasional indulgence without flare-ups.
Taking Control of Your Health
While the carnivore diet may offer short-term relief from psoriasis, it fails to address the deeper issues driving inflammation—especially gut microbiome imbalance and phytonutrient deficiency. For true healing, a balanced, personalized, gut-focused diet is key.
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.
