Madeleine Hull
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects the skin on the genitals and anus. It is characterised by thin, white, patchy areas of skin that can be painful, tear easily, and itch. While there is currently no cure for LS, it can be treated through medication, light therapy, immunosuppressants, or circumcision. In addition to these treatments, some people have found success in managing their LS symptoms through dietary changes. This involves eliminating certain foods and drinks that are high in oxalate, which can cause inflammation in the body's tissues. Adopting a low-oxalate diet, for example, has been found to reduce symptoms in some women. Others have found success with the AIP (auto-immune protocol) diet, which focuses on eliminating known inflammatory triggers.
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What You'll Learn
The role of sugar in lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the skin around the anus and genitals. It causes thin, white, patchy areas of skin that can be painful, tear easily, and itch. While LS currently has no cure, diet changes may help reduce inflammation and slow the condition's progression.
Sugar plays a significant role in the development and management of lichen sclerosus. Diets high in refined sugar and starches and low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids can activate the innate immune system, leading to chronic inflammation. This inflammation is associated with LS and other chronic inflammatory conditions like Lichen Planus. The Standard American Diet (SAD) and the consumption of sugary soft drinks often lead to elevated blood glucose levels, known as hyperglycemia, which is a hallmark of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes.
When someone suffers from a metabolic disorder, they experience sustained hyperglycemia, which triggers widespread inflammation in the body. This inflammation can contribute to the development and progression of LS. Therefore, reducing sugar intake and adopting a diet low in refined carbohydrates and high in healthy plant fats can be a strategy to manage LS symptoms and slow its advancement.
Additionally, some individuals with LS may benefit from the autoimmune protocol diet (AIP), which has been successful in treating inflammatory bowel disease. AIP focuses on eliminating known inflammatory triggers and shifting the body into an alternative metabolic state, such as ketosis, to initiate deep healing. The ketogenic diet, a very low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein, and high-fat diet, has been praised by some individuals with LS for its healing power.
While there is limited scientific research on the direct impact of diet on LS, nutrition therapy and dietary changes can be powerful tools in managing symptoms and slowing the condition's progression.
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The Standard American Diet and metabolic disorders
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the skin of the anus and genitals. While there is little research on the impact of diet on LS, there is some evidence that a low-oxalate diet may reduce symptoms in some women. Oxalate is a byproduct of the body's metabolism and is eliminated through urine and stool. A low-oxalate diet may help reduce inflammation in the vulva and anal region.
The Standard American Diet (SAD) has been linked to various health issues, including metabolic disorders. SAD is typically high in refined sugar and starch and low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can lead to chronic inflammation. This inflammation is associated with LS and other chronic inflammatory conditions. The high consumption of sugar and starch in SAD leads to hyperglycemia, characterised by elevated blood glucose levels, which is a hallmark of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Obesity and being overweight are associated with increased risks of premature death and co-morbidities, including metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
The abundance of omega-6 oils in SAD also contributes to its pro-inflammatory nature. Research links an imbalance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids with various chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases. The high intake of refined carbohydrates in SAD leads to high blood sugar levels, inflammation, gut microbiota damage, and fatty acid imbalances.
To improve health outcomes, it is recommended that Americans adopt a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet. This type of diet reduces total carbohydrate intake, encourages the consumption of healthy natural fats, fresh meats, and seafood, and is moderate in protein. The health benefits of a ketogenic diet include lower blood sugar and insulin levels, reduced inflammation, and a lower likelihood of developing or worsening heart disease, cancer, or metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
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The link between lichen sclerosus and inflammatory bowel disease
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the skin around the anus and genitals. It causes thin, white, patchy areas of skin that can be painful, tear easily, and itch. LS is classified as a vaginal disorder and most commonly affects postmenopausal women, although it can occur at any age.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract. The two main types are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). UC is limited to the colon and/or rectum, while CD can affect any part of the gut and the entire thickness of the bowel wall. IBD patients often experience extraintestinal manifestations, meaning the disease affects multiple organ systems, and the skin is one of the most commonly affected organs in IBD patients.
While there is limited research on the direct impact of diet on LS, some evidence suggests that a low-oxalate diet may reduce symptoms in some women with LS. Oxalate is a byproduct of the body's metabolism, and high-oxalate foods can cause inflammation in the body's tissues. Thus, reducing oxalate intake may help decrease inflammation in the vulva and anal region.
Similarly, treating inflammation in the bowel is key to treating IBD and its associated extraintestinal manifestations. While the association between lichen planus and IBD has been rarely reported, some case studies have found a correlation. For example, a patient with annular lichen planus also presented with symptoms such as weight loss, occasional diarrhea, and severe anemia, which led to a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids and mesalazine controlled the intestinal disease and improved the skin lesions.
In conclusion, while the link between LS and IBD is not well-established, both conditions are inflammatory in nature and can affect the skin. Treating the underlying inflammation in IBD has been shown to resolve associated skin lesions, and reducing inflammation through dietary changes has been proposed as a potential way to manage LS symptoms. Therefore, there may be a potential connection between the two conditions and their treatment approaches, particularly regarding the role of inflammation and dietary modifications.
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The benefits of a low-oxalate diet
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes thin, white, patchy areas of skin that can be painful, tear easily, and itch. These areas can appear anywhere on the body but are usually found on the vulva, around the anus, or on the foreskin of the penis in uncircumcised men. While there is little research on the impact of diet on LS, some evidence suggests that a low-oxalate diet may help reduce symptoms in some women. Here are some benefits of adopting a low-oxalate diet:
Preventing Kidney Stones
Oxalate is a compound produced by the body and found in many food sources, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. While small amounts of oxalate and calcium are typically present in the urinary tract without causing issues, they can bind together to form calcium oxalate kidney stones. A low-oxalate diet can help prevent this by reducing the amount of oxalate excreted through urine. This is especially beneficial for people prone to developing kidney stones.
Reducing Inflammation
High-oxalate foods can cause inflammation in the body's tissues. By reducing oxalate intake, a low-oxalate diet may help decrease inflammation, especially around the vulva and anal region in individuals with lichen sclerosus. This can be further supported by increasing healthy plant fats and reducing refined carbohydrates and sugar intake, which are also linked to chronic inflammation.
Alternative Treatment Option
While topical corticosteroids are considered the best treatment for lichen sclerosus remission, a low-oxalate diet can be a valuable adjunct therapy. Other alternative treatments include stress management, nervous system work, pain counseling, therapy, and supplements. Consulting a functional medicine doctor, functional nutritionist, or naturopathic doctor can help determine the best approach for managing lichen sclerosus.
Healthy Food Options
A low-oxalate diet does not mean sacrificing tasty and nutritious food choices. Many healthy and delicious foods are naturally low in oxalates, including broccoli, blueberries, blackberries, dried figs, and kidney beans. Additionally, cooking and soaking certain vegetables and legumes can reduce their oxalate content, making them safer options for individuals prone to kidney stones or those aiming to reduce inflammation associated with lichen sclerosus.
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The autoimmune protocol diet
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the skin around the anus and genitals. It is characterised by thin, white, patchy areas of skin that can be painful, tear easily, and itch. While there is currently no cure for LS, certain dietary changes may help alleviate symptoms. One such diet is the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet, which has been shown to bring down inflammation and ease symptoms of autoimmune diseases.
The AIP diet is a restrictive diet that combines aspects of elimination diets with the paleo diet. It is designed to reduce inflammation and ease autoimmune disease symptoms by eliminating foods that tend to cause inflammation or irritate the gut. The diet is particularly restrictive in the initial phases, where triggering foods such as nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes), grains, nuts and seeds, eggs, and dairy are strictly eliminated for an average of 30 to 90 days. During this time, it is important to focus on anti-inflammatory foods, including fresh vegetables and fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, and kombucha. After the initial elimination phase, foods are carefully reintroduced one at a time to see how the body reacts, helping to identify specific triggers that can be avoided in the long term.
The AIP diet may be challenging, especially in the beginning, as it requires a significant change in eating habits and can be difficult to maintain. It is always recommended to work with a dietitian or nutritional therapist before and during the diet to ensure adequate nutrient intake and guidance.
While there is limited research on the effectiveness of the AIP diet, the studies that have been conducted show promising results. For example, a 2019 study found that the AIP diet, in conjunction with lifestyle changes, helped people with Hashimoto's thyroid disease, a common autoimmune disorder. Additionally, a 2015 study found that people with multiple sclerosis, a disease that attacks the nervous system, experienced improvements when they made dietary changes similar to the AIP.
In conclusion, while the AIP diet may not be for everyone, it has shown potential in helping to manage autoimmune conditions by reducing inflammation and easing symptoms. If you are considering the AIP diet, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if it is suitable for your individual needs and to ensure you are meeting your nutritional requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects the skin on the genitals. It causes thin, white, patchy areas of skin that can be painful, tear easily, and itch. It can lead to scarring and, in some cases, develop into skin cancer.
Treatment options include medication, light therapy, immunosuppressants, and circumcision. There is also evidence that dietary changes can help manage symptoms and put lichen sclerosus into remission.
There is limited research on the impact of diet on lichen sclerosus. However, some people have found success with the AIP (autoimmune protocol) diet, a low-oxalate diet, and a ketogenic diet. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before making any dietary changes.
Some individuals have shared their experiences with dietary changes, such as eliminating dairy, flour, sugar, caffeine, and grains, which have helped keep their lichen sclerosus under control and reduced flares. Others have found success with a vegan diet and the addition of collagen powder to their coffee.
