The complexity of psoriasis is partially affected by dietary effects, and some diets have shown to be beneficial in psoriasis. Intermittent fasting has been shown to improve many of these disturbances, even inflammatory parameters such as TNF and CRP. Individuals with psoriasis have been reported to have impaired intestinal integrity and it has been suggested that gut health affects skin health, pointing towards a gut-skin axis. Understanding how dietary lifestyles can affect epithelial lineages such as the skin and gut, will greatly improve our understanding on the development of psoriasis. Modified intermittent fasting (MIF) of 2 non-consecutive days has shown to have positive metabolic effects, yet its effect on gut and skin remains underexplored.
To study the role of gut health, more specifically the intestinal barrier, in individuals with psoriasis and the effects of fasting on both organs in a prospective cohort cross-over study. The investigators will test whether MIF can improve (i) skin lesions (clinical and molecular level), (ii) intestinal integrity markers such as zonulin, IFABP and sCD14, and (iii) the timing of these improvements. As such, it can be determined whether fasting benefits psoriasis and gut health. MIF will consist of a limited calorie uptake of 500 kcal for 2 days a week. The remaining days of the week are as usual. Gut and skin health will be tested at the molecular level during 12 weeks with another crossover of 12 weeks (alternating between MIF and usual diet).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
24
Modified intermittent fasting (MIF) means fasting for 2 non-consecutive days/week. Fasting is defined as consuming less than 500 kcalories in 1 day (in the course of max. 6 hours). After 12 weeks of fasting, a period of 12 weeks with a regular diet follows.
Regular diet means subject can eat as usual for 12 weeks. Next, a period of 12 weeks fasting follows: modified intermittent fasting (MIF) means fasting for 2 non-consecutive days/week. Fasting is defined as consuming less than 500 kcalories in 1 day (in the course of max. 6 hours).
Department of Head & Skin
Ghent, East-Flanders, Belgium
Improvement in psoriasis severity amongst subjects during and after intervention defined as Psoriasis Area Severity Index
Change in Psoriasis Area Severity Index
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Psoriasis severity amongst subjects during and after intervention defined as Body Surface Area
Change in Body Surface Area
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Total body fat during and after intervention to baseline
Change in total body fat
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Weight during and after intervention to baseline
Change in weight (kg)
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Body Mass Index during and after intervention to baseline
Change in Body Mass Index measured as weight (kg) and height (m) (kg/m\^2)
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Waist circumference during and after intervention to baseline
Change in waist circumference (cm)
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Inflammation markers in serum during and after intervention to baseline
Change in serological markers for inflammation \[pg/ml\]
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Inflammation markers in skin during and after intervention to baseline
Change in cutaneous markers for inflammation \[pg/ml\]
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Metabolic markers in serum during and after intervention to baseline
Change in serological markers for metabolism \[pg/ml\]
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Metabolic markers in skin during and after intervention to baseline
Change in cutaneous markers for metabolism \[pg/ml\]
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Permeability markers in serum during and after intervention to baseline
Change in serological markers for permeability \[pg/ml\]
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Permeability markers in feces during and after intervention to baseline
Change in fecal markers for permeability \[pg/ml\]
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Visual Analogue Scale Satisfaction
Score of subject's rating of satisfaction and/or feasibility on intervention based on a Visual Analogue Scale going from 0 (not satisfied at all) to 10 (very satisfied)
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Study completion by subjects
Number of subjects who completed the study successfully (adherence to intervention) as a percentage.
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Quality of life during and after intervention to baseline
Change in Dermatology Life Quality Index (absolute and relative)
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
Prediction of dietary intake
Correlation of outcomes 1-15 in relation to dietary intake
Time frame: 12 and 26 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.