Systemic sclerosis, also called scleroderma, is a serious disease where the body’s connective tissue becomes thick and tight. Many patients want to know if special diets and natural treatments can help alongside regular medical care. A new review looked at research on different eating patterns, supplements, and herbal remedies for scleroderma. The findings suggest that certain diets, omega-3 supplements, and herbs like turmeric might help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms, but scientists say we need bigger and better studies to be sure these approaches really work.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether special diets (like Mediterranean and low-FODMAP), supplements (like omega-3s and vitamins), and herbal treatments (like turmeric) can help reduce symptoms and inflammation in people with scleroderma
  • Who participated: This was a review that looked at many different studies about scleroderma patients. The review didn’t test new patients itself, but examined what other researchers had already found
  • Key finding: Several dietary approaches and natural supplements appear to reduce inflammation and improve gut health in scleroderma patients, though most studies tested only small groups of people
  • What it means for you: If you have scleroderma, talking to your doctor about adding Mediterranean diet foods, omega-3 supplements, or other natural approaches might be worth exploring as part of your overall treatment plan—but these should complement, not replace, your regular medical care

The Research Details

This is a review article, which means researchers looked at all the existing studies about diet and natural treatments for scleroderma and summarized what they found. Instead of doing their own experiment with patients, they read through published research and organized the findings by topic. They examined studies about different diets (Mediterranean, ketogenic, and low-FODMAP), supplements (omega-3s, vitamins C, D, and E), herbal remedies (like turmeric), and topical treatments (like rosemary oil and vitamin E gel).

The researchers focused on finding evidence about whether these approaches could help with three main problems in scleroderma: inflammation (the body’s harmful swelling response), fibrosis (when tissues become thick and scarred), and blood vessel problems. They looked at both human studies and laboratory experiments to understand how these treatments might work.

Review articles are important because they help doctors and patients understand what we currently know about a topic. By looking at many studies together, researchers can spot patterns and see which treatments show the most promise. This type of research is especially valuable for scleroderma because it’s a rare disease, so individual studies often involve only a few patients. Reviews help connect the dots across different research projects.

This review provides a helpful overview of current research, but readers should know that most of the individual studies it examined had small numbers of participants. The researchers were honest about this limitation and noted that bigger, more rigorous studies are needed. The fact that this appears in a respected medical journal (Current Opinion in Rheumatology) suggests it was reviewed by experts, which adds credibility. However, because this is a review of existing research rather than a new study, the strength of the conclusions depends on the quality of the studies being reviewed.

What the Results Show

Several dietary approaches showed promise in the research reviewed. The Mediterranean diet—which emphasizes olive oil, fish, vegetables, and whole grains—appeared to reduce symptoms and improve the balance of bacteria in the gut. A low-FODMAP diet (which limits certain carbohydrates that can cause digestive problems) also showed benefits in small studies. Interestingly, a ketogenic diet (very low in carbs, high in fat) also appeared helpful, though this finding was based on limited research.

Supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) showed promise for lowering inflammation markers in the blood. Antioxidant supplements—substances that protect cells from damage—also appeared beneficial. Herbal remedies, particularly curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric), showed anti-scarring properties in laboratory experiments, though human studies are lacking.

Vitamins C, D, and E were frequently used by scleroderma patients, and topical treatments like rosemary oil and vitamin E gel were also popular. However, the review noted that robust clinical trials testing these approaches in humans are still needed.

The review highlighted that scleroderma patients often seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches because they want additional options beyond standard medical treatments. The research suggests that dietary interventions may work partly by improving gut health and reducing harmful inflammation throughout the body. The review also noted that many of the herbal remedies studied showed promise in laboratory settings, but translating these findings to real patients requires more research. Additionally, the review found that combining approaches—such as using diet changes along with supplements—might be more effective than using any single approach alone, though this hasn’t been thoroughly tested.

This review builds on growing recognition in rheumatology that diet and lifestyle factors play important roles in managing chronic inflammatory diseases. Previous research on other autoimmune conditions (like rheumatoid arthritis) has shown that Mediterranean and anti-inflammatory diets can help reduce symptoms. This review extends those findings to scleroderma specifically. The emphasis on gut health through dietary changes aligns with newer research showing that the bacteria living in our digestive system influence inflammation throughout the body. However, scleroderma-specific research is still limited compared to research on other autoimmune diseases.

The biggest limitation is that most studies examined in this review involved very small numbers of patients, making it hard to draw firm conclusions. Many studies lacked proper control groups (comparison groups receiving standard care), which makes it difficult to know if improvements came from the treatment or from other factors. Some treatments, like topical rosemary oil and vitamin E gel, haven’t been tested in rigorous clinical trials at all—they’re based mainly on traditional use. The review also notes that different studies used different measurements and approaches, making it hard to compare results directly. Finally, because scleroderma is rare, it’s challenging to conduct large studies, which is why the evidence remains limited.

The Bottom Line

If you have scleroderma, discussing Mediterranean diet principles with your doctor or a dietitian may be worth exploring (moderate confidence based on small studies). Omega-3 supplements might help reduce inflammation, though you should check with your doctor first, especially if you take blood thinners (low to moderate confidence). Turmeric supplements are being studied but shouldn’t replace standard medical treatment (low confidence at this time). Vitamin D supplementation may be helpful, particularly if you’re deficient, but this should be monitored by your healthcare provider (low to moderate confidence). Avoid making major dietary changes without discussing them with your rheumatologist or a registered dietitian, as some changes might interact with your medications.

These findings are most relevant to people with systemic sclerosis who want to explore complementary approaches alongside their regular medical care. Healthcare providers treating scleroderma patients should be aware that many patients are interested in these options and should be prepared to discuss them. People with other autoimmune diseases might find some of this information relevant, though the research is specific to scleroderma. These approaches should NOT replace standard medical treatments prescribed by your rheumatologist. People with severe scleroderma affecting internal organs should be especially cautious and discuss any dietary changes with their medical team first.

If you try dietary changes like the Mediterranean diet, you might notice improvements in energy levels and digestive symptoms within 2-4 weeks, though effects on scleroderma-specific symptoms like skin tightness may take 8-12 weeks or longer. Supplements like omega-3s typically require 6-8 weeks of consistent use before you might notice anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s important to remember that these approaches work slowly and are meant to support, not replace, your regular medical care. Keep track of any changes and discuss them with your doctor at regular appointments.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake using the Mediterranean diet framework (servings of vegetables, whole grains, fish, olive oil) and rate scleroderma symptoms (skin tightness, pain, fatigue) on a 1-10 scale three times weekly to identify correlations between dietary patterns and symptom changes
  • Start by adding one Mediterranean diet element per week—for example, week 1: use olive oil for cooking, week 2: add fish twice, week 3: increase vegetable servings—rather than making all changes at once. This gradual approach is easier to maintain and helps you identify which changes feel most beneficial
  • Create a weekly symptom and diet log noting which foods were eaten, supplements taken, and how you felt that day. Review patterns monthly with your healthcare provider to determine if any dietary or supplement changes are helping your specific symptoms. Take photos of affected skin areas monthly to objectively track any changes in appearance

This review summarizes research on dietary and complementary approaches for scleroderma, but it is not medical advice. Systemic sclerosis is a serious condition requiring ongoing care from a rheumatologist or scleroderma specialist. Any dietary changes, supplements, or herbal remedies should be discussed with your healthcare provider before starting, as they may interact with your medications or affect your condition. This information is meant to complement, not replace, your regular medical treatment. The research reviewed here is still developing, and many approaches lack large-scale human studies. Always consult your medical team before making significant changes to your treatment plan.