In my clinical experience, refined sugar and wheat are among the most consistent dietary triggers of inflammatory and autoimmune-related skin conditions. Their impact goes beyond the skin — affecting gut integrity, immune balance, and metabolic health.
I have seen in several cases that after removing refined sugar, my clients start seeing great results in their skin clearing — eczema/psoriasis. It is not coincidental. These two foods converge on the same inflammatory pathways.
The Inflammatory Connection: Sugar vs Wheat
Think of it this way:
- Sugar = metabolic inflammation
- Wheat = immune & barrier inflammation
Together, they are a perfect storm for skin flares.
Why Wheat Is So Problematic for Skin & Autoimmunity
Even in people without celiac disease, wheat can drive skin inflammation.
1. Gluten → Zonulin → Leaky Gut
Gluten increases zonulin, a protein that opens tight junctions in the gut.
This leads to:
- Increased intestinal permeability
- Immune exposure to undigested proteins
Result: systemic immune activation → skin inflammation
This mechanism alone explains why:
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Dermatitis herpetiformis
- Rosacea
Often, removing wheat improves it.
2. Molecular Mimicry & Autoimmune Activation
Gluten proteins can mimic human tissue.
The immune system begins cross-reacting with:
- Skin
- Thyroid
- Joints
This is especially relevant in:
- Psoriasis
- Autoimmune eczema
- Hashimoto’s-related skin symptoms
3. Wheat → Th17 Dominance (Key in Psoriasis)
Wheat/gluten increases:
- IL-17
- IL-23
These cytokines drive:
- Keratinocyte overproduction
- Thick, scaly plaques
Psoriasis is now recognized as a Th17-driven autoimmune disease.
Removing wheat directly downregulates this pathway.
4. Wheat + Sugar = Dysbiosis Amplifier
Wheat feeds:
- Pathogenic gut bacteria
- Candida
Combined with sugar:
- Dysbiosis worsens
- Endotoxins increase
- Skin becomes an immune “exit route”
This explains why clients often see:
- Reduced itching first
- Then less scaling
- Then, improved skin texture
Sugar Still Plays a Central Role
Refined sugar:
- Amplifies inflammation
- Increases insulin & IGF-1
- Weakens skin barrier repair
- Drives glycation & oxidative stress
Clinically:
Sugar removal often reduces flares quickly.
Wheat removal creates deeper, more stable remission.
Autoimmune Diseases: Wheat Is a Common Trigger
Across autoimmune conditions, wheat increases:
- Gut permeability
- Autoantibody formation
- Chronic immune stimulation
Skin is often the visible expression of this immune chaos.
That’s why removing wheat helps not just skin, but also:
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Thyroid symptoms
Healing Without Deprivation
Healing doesn’t have to mean bland food. I regularly share sugar-free and wheat-free recipes on my website and Instagram that are both comforting and nourishing. Made with whole, natural ingredients, these recipes allow you to enjoy familiar textures and flavors—often without realizing sugar or wheat is missing—while gently supporting gut health, immune balance, and skin recovery.
Let me know if you have any questions.