An Austrian study in a group of mice highlighted the risk of psoriasis-like skin inflammation on a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic or paleo diet. Especially if with omega3 (fish oil).

Omega-3 supplements, on the other hand, would not cause harm in a normal diet.
That is, balanced between fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

Let’s see in detail what the study reveals.

KETOGENIC DIET AND RISK OF PSORIASIS AND ECZEMA

• Subjected to different diets with or without omega-3, the mice studied by the Department of Dermatology of the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg showed signs of skin inflammation and psoriasis.
• This inflammation was found in mice who ate diets high in long-chain or medium-chain saturated fat.
• These mice showed higher blood levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone.
• At the same time, mice who ate a high-fat but low-carbohydrate, non-low-calorie diet tended to gain weight compared to those who ate the usual diet.
• Previous studies found that a ketogenic or high-fat 20% carbohydrate diet inflamed the skin by producing a cytokine, interleukin 17-A.

Researchers were able to cause psoriasis in mice with the Imiquimod.
Mice on the omega-3-added ketogenic diet developed psoriasis after treatment.

Therefore the omega3 in a diet rich in saturated fat ruins the skin until it shows the typical symptoms of psoriasis.
That is eczema, redness, itching.

Omega-3 supplements are typical of many alternative diets, such as the paleo diet, the ketogenic diet , the Panzironi diet and others.

LIMITS OF THE STUDY

The study was conducted on mice, for only 17 days. 10 days of diet, 7 days of treatment and diet.
Therefore caution must be exercised in comparing with human beings.
It should also be noted that psoriasis was triggered in the laboratory.

Therefore we can conclude that the integration of omega3 in the form of fish oil, in a diet with a lot of saturated fats and low carbohydrates, can lead to inflammation of the skin and greater vulnerability.