The Paleo diet consists of foods in their natural state, stressing animal proteins, fish, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Proponents of the Paleo diet believe it has a number of health benefits, such as decreasing the risk of diabetes and aiding weight loss. The Paleo diet has no proven role in either treating or causing warts, which are caused by viruses. Talk with your doctor before starting any type of diet.
Causes of Warts
The human papillomavirus causes warts. You're more likely to get warts if you have breaks in your skin. Hands are common sites for warts, but they can also occur on the face, genitals or feet. If you have a weakened immune system, you may also have an increased risk of developing warts. Dr. Mark Goodman of the University of Hawaii believes that diet affects your immune system and that changing your diet may have a protective effect against viruses such as HPV.
Foods That Boost the Immune System
Fresh fruits and vegetables contain many substances that pediatrician and author Dr. William Sears believes boost the immune system. Boosting the immune system could help fight off the viruses that cause warts.Fruits and vegetables are high in the antioxidant vitamin C. Nuts and seeds contain the antioxidant vitamin E. Meats are high in zinc, which boosts your immune system by increasing the number of T-cells, a type of white blood cell. T-cells help fight infection. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may also decrease your risk of developing infections.
Studies
Goodman presented a paper at the 2005 22nd International Papillomavirus Conference on the effects of diet on HPV in women. The study examined data from 242 women who were part of a larger study. Researchers found that women with low levels of vitamin A or vitamin E had twice the risk of developing an HPV infection. Women with low levels of carotenoids, found in fresh fruits and vegetables, were more likely to have persistent HPV infections.
Considerations
Although HPV causes all warts, more than 100 different types of HPV exist, according to the Mayo Clinic. While dietary changes appeared to have benefit in treating genital warts in Goodman's study, researchers have not conducted clinical trials on the effects of diet on common warts. More research into the effects of diet on warts may establish a definite benefit in the future. In the meantime, eating a diet high in vegetables and fruits that avoids processed foods, such as the Paleo diet, might help boost your immune system to fight off the virus.
