THE ROLE OF DIET & GUT HEALTH IN MANAGING ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Atopic dermatitis (AD) can worsen due to an imbalanced gut microbiome, which affects systemic immunity and inflammation. A nutrient-rich, plant-based diet with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants helps maintain skin barrier and reduce inflammation. Food allergies like dairy, gluten, soy, and some fruits may trigger AD, so identifying and managing these is important. The gut-skin axis highlights how gut health influences skin through immune pathways. A diverse gut microbiome and fiber-rich diet produce metabolites like short-chain fatty acids that reduce inflammation. Probiotics like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species have shown positive outcomes, especially in childhood AD. Elimination diets can help identify triggers, but supplements or dietary changes should not be used as monotherapy.