A very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) has been associated with a significant reduction in visceral adipose tissue and ketone bodies that likely possess antiinflammatory properties.
In this study we evaluated the efficacy of an aggressive weight-loss (WL) program with a ketogenic induction phase as first-line treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis.
Adult patients who were overweight or obese and drug-naïve, with stable chronic plaque psoriasis underwent a 10-wk, 2-phase WL program consisting of Oloproteic Diet protocol. The primary endpoint was the reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score at wk 10. Major secondary endpoints included PASI score responses of ≥50% and ≥75%, reduction in body surface area involved, improvement in itch severity (visual analogue scale), and Dermatology Life Quality Index score at wk 10.
Conclusions
In drug-naïve adult overweight patients with stable chronic plaque psoriasis, an aggressive dietary WL program consisting of a VLCKD, followed by a balanced, hypocaloric, Mediterranean-like diet, appeared to be an effective first-line strategy to reduce disease severity.
Castaldo, G., Rastrelli, L., Galdo, G., Molettieri, P., Aufiero, F. R., & Cereda, E. (2020). Aggressive weight loss program with a ketogenic induction phase for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis: a proof-of-concept, single-arm, open label clinical trial. Nutrition, 110757.
