A recent study published in JAMA Dermatology has revealed a potential connection between high sodium intake and the risk of developing atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema.
This chronic skin condition, characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin, affects millions of people worldwide, and its prevalence has been on the rise. According to the study, a diet rich in sodium may not only increase the likelihood of developing eczema but also exacerbate its severity.
“We found that in a large study of adults in the United Kingdom, estimated sodium intake based on a urine sample was associated with an 11 percent increase in the risk of eczema, and that more sodium was associated with more severe eczema,” says corresponding author Katrina Abuabara, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of California San Francisco, and dermatologist at UCSF Health in San Francisco.
Sodium and Atopic Dermatitis: A Closer Look
In the study that Dr. Abuabara references, researchers analyzed data from over 215,000 individuals between the ages of 30 and 70 who had enrolled in the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database. The study found that almost 11,000 participants, or 5 percent, had been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. By examining urine samples from these individuals, researchers were able to estimate their sodium intake, revealing that the average person excreted about 3 grams of sodium in a 24-hour period.
The analysis showed that each additional gram of sodium excreted about the average was linked to an 11 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. Additionally, those with higher sodium excretion had a 16 percent increased risk of currently experiencing symptoms and an 11 percent higher likelihood of having more severe eczema.
These findings were further validated in a separate study conducted in the United States. Researchers examined data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which included 13,000 U.S. adults. They discovered that consuming just one extra gram of sodium per day – less than what is found in a typical fast-food sandwich or burger – increased the risk of active atopic dermatitis by 22 percent.
The Rising Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting more than 31 million people in the United States alone. While the condition often begins in childhood, it can persist into adulthood or even start later in life. The number of people suffering from eczema has been steadily increasing, particularly in industrialized countries. Experts believe that environmental and lifestyle factors, such as diet, may play a significant role in this rise.
Some researchers suggest that the consumption of highly processed and fast foods, which are typically high in sodium, might contribute to the development and worsening of atopic dermatitis. This new study adds to the growing body of evidence that diet, particularly sodium intake, could be a key factor in managing the condition.
The Biological Connection: How Sodium Affects Eczema
The study’s findings align with previous laboratory research, suggesting that sodium may promote the onset and aggravation of atopic dermatitis. Christina Zielinski, PhD, a professor at the German Center for Infection Research at the Technical University of Munich, has conducted studies showing that people with atopic dermatitis have significantly higher salt concentrations – up to 30 times higher – in their inflamed skin compared to those without the condition.
“These findings suggest that what has been seen in laboratory studies is actually happening in the population: Sodium might promote the emergence of atopic dermatitis and exacerbate it,” says Dr. Zielinski.
However, Dr. Zielinski notes that it remains unclear how the excess salt accumulates in the skin.
“But it remained unclear how the salt gets there. In this new study, researchers show that patients with eczema have higher urinary sodium secretion, indicative of increased dietary salt intake,” she explains.
This research indicates a clear association between dietary sodium and atopic dermatitis, suggesting that reducing sodium intake could potentially alleviate symptoms. However, Dr. Zielinski cautions that this study only shows a correlation, not causation. It’s possible that high sodium levels in the skin could result from other factors, such as a compromised skin barrier that allows excessive water loss, which in turn could lead to sodium accumulation.
Implications for Managing Atopic Dermatitis
While the study’s finding are compelling, more research is needed to confirm whether reducing sodium intake can directly improve atopic dermatitis symptoms. Dr. Abuabara concurs, suggesting that limiting dietary sodium might be a practical approach for those managing the condition.
“Most Americans eat too much salt and can safely reduce their intake to recommended levels,” says Dr. Abuabara. Given that high sodium intake is also linked to other health issues like high blood pressure and heart disease, reducing sodium consumption could have multiple health benefits.
Indeed, it is estimated that 9 out of 10 people in the U.S. consume more sodium than recommended. The American Heart Association advises limiting sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams per day, yet the average American consumes more than double this amount, around 3,400 milligrams daily.
A Potential Dietary Strategy for Eczema
For individuals with atopic dermatitis, experimenting with a low-sodium diet may be a worthwhile strategy. Dr. Zielinski suggests that this approach, “can definitely not harm and might potentially even help.”
While further studies are needed to establish a definitive link, the current evidence points to dietary sodium as a possible factor in the development and severity of eczema. Reducing sodium intake could offer a simple and effective way to manage this chronic skin condition, alongside other established treatments.
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