Psoriatic Arthritis and Gluten

The jury is still out on eliminating gluten — a complex protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. In a small number of cases, eliminating gluten can lead to improvements. However, following a gluten-free diet, which is very restrictive, is a major commitment. It’s not a step you should take unnecessarily.

It's important to note that you should discuss dietary modifications, such as following a gluten-free diet, with your health care provider prior to making any diet adjustments.

The decision to go gluten-free

There is no diet that will cure psoriatic disease, but there are many ways in which eating healthy food may lessen the severity of symptoms and play a role in lowering the likelihood of developing comorbidities.

Personally, I never gave gluten any consideration when thinking of ways to combat inflammation. That is until my doctors and I were trying to figure out some unrelated bowel issues and discovered that gluten is not my friend.

What does this diet even entail?

I began by strictly following a Low FODMAP Diet. In addition to the list of approved foods provided by my doctor, I also googled FODMAP diets for a larger look at what I should or shouldn’t eat.

After five weeks I began to reintroduce certain foods back into my daily diet. While most of the foods didn’t necessarily present an issue when reintroduced, I had lost the desire to eat many of them. Too bad my desire for bread wasn’t one of those!!

Finding relief by being gluten-free

Bread and other products containing gluten proved to be a major player in regards to inflammation. While not the cause of my abdominal bloating and pain, it increased both.

But it wasn’t just my belly in which a difference was noted. The joints in my hands, knees, and feet are considerably less swollen when I remain gluten-free.

Are you sensitive to gluten?

Following a gluten-free diet or greatly reducing the amount of gluten I eat has made a difference. In fact, it has made enough of a difference that I make an effort to avoid gluten as much as possible. I still occasionally allow myself foods with gluten, but never for multiple days in a row.

I have also become very picky about which foods I permit. If I am going to have a piece of cake, it better be a darn good piece of cake! Are you sensitive to gluten? Do you follow a gluten-free diet? If so, what is one of your favorite gluten-free foods? One of my favorites is Annie’s Cocoa Bunnies Cereal.