Hidradenitis Suppurativa Diet Remedies (From A Clinical Nutritionist Who Had HS)

Summary

This video delves into managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), focusing on the importance of understanding inflammation and its connection to gut health. The speaker discusses potential benefits of dietary changes, particularly gluten elimination, as a way to reduce inflammation linked to gut permeability. They also explore the role of biologic drugs like IL17 blockers in addressing inflammation. The video emphasizes a holistic approach to treatment, suggesting that while diet changes may help, addressing underlying root causes such as gut health, mold exposure, and nervous system regulation could lead to long-term relief. Viewers are encouraged to share their experiences and reflections on the effectiveness of diet changes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Removing gluten from the diet can help reduce inflammation in the body, especially for those with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
• 😀 A strict gluten-free diet isn't necessary for everyone, but minimizing or eliminating gluten can have beneficial effects, particularly in people with gut issues.
• 😀 Inflammation in the body, particularly in the gut, plays a significant role in exacerbating chronic skin conditions like HS.
• 😀 The newest biologic treatments for HS, such as IL17 blockers, target inflammation caused by immune system reactions to things like yeast and fungal organisms.
• 😀 Yeast overgrowth, like Candida, in the gut can trigger inflammation throughout the body, contributing to HS flare-ups.
• 😀 Addressing root causes of inflammation, like gut permeability (leaky gut) and nutritional deficiencies, can improve HS symptoms.
• 😀 The gut microbiome, liver detoxification, and digestive health are all interconnected and can affect the severity of HS.
• 😀 Beyond diet, other factors such as mold exposure, nervous system function, and mitochondrial health can influence HS flare-ups.
• 😀 A strict diet like the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) may not work for everyone, but it can help reduce flare-ups or lessen their intensity for some.
• 😀 It's important to experiment with diet and lifestyle changes but also focus on addressing underlying health issues, which may not always be obvious.
• 😀 The speaker invites people to share their experiences with dietary changes and how sustainable those changes were in managing their HS symptoms.

Q & A

What role does gluten play in managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)?

Gluten removal can help reduce inflammation in individuals with HS, especially since many with HS also have issues in their GI tract that can exacerbate inflammation. While you don’t have to eliminate gluten as strictly as someone with celiac disease, minimizing it may help improve gut health and reduce systemic inflammation.

How does gut health affect hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)?

Gut health plays a significant role in HS because inflammation in the gut can trigger systemic inflammation, which may worsen skin conditions. Issues like leaky gut or an imbalance in the gut microbiome could lead to an immune response that affects the skin, worsening HS symptoms.

What is IL-17 and how does it relate to HS treatment?

IL-17 is a cytokine, or chemical messenger, produced in response to fungal infections, including candida. In individuals with HS, an excess of IL-17 can increase systemic inflammation. IL-17 blockers, a class of biologic drugs, can help reduce this inflammation and are used to treat HS.

Can diet alone put hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) into remission?

Diet changes, such as adopting the AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet or eliminating yeast, may help reduce symptoms and in some cases, lead to remission. However, diet alone is not guaranteed to work for everyone. Some people experience significant symptom reduction, but remission is not always achievable.

What are some of the underlying causes of HS that go beyond diet?

Beyond diet, factors such as mold exposure, nervous system dysfunction, mitochondrial issues, and digestive health problems can contribute to the inflammation that drives HS. Addressing these root causes may provide relief for those who do not respond to diet alone.

What is meant by 'leaky gut' in the context of HS?

Leaky gut refers to an increase in gut permeability, where the lining of the intestine becomes damaged, allowing toxins, microbes, and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream. This can trigger an immune response and inflammation, which may contribute to skin conditions like HS.

What is the importance of addressing root causes in HS management?

Addressing root causes like gut health, mold exposure, and immune system dysregulation is important because it can target the underlying inflammation that drives HS. Conventional treatments often focus on symptoms, but a deeper investigation into these causes can help achieve more sustainable relief.

What is the potential downside of following restrictive diets for HS?

While restrictive diets, such as the AIP diet, can be beneficial for some individuals with HS, they may not be sustainable in the long term. If a person cannot maintain such diets, they may not experience long-term benefits. It’s essential to find a balance that works for an individual’s lifestyle.

How do medications like IL-17 blockers help manage HS?

IL-17 blockers work by inhibiting the cytokine IL-17, which plays a role in the inflammatory response triggered by fungal infections like candida. By blocking IL-17, these biologic medications reduce systemic inflammation, helping to control the symptoms of HS.

What role does the gut microbiome play in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)?

The gut microbiome plays a significant role in immune function and inflammation regulation. An imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to inflammation in the body, including in the skin. Restoring gut health may help reduce systemic inflammation and improve HS symptoms.