The research, conducted by food intolerance testing specialist YorkTest Laboratories, found autoimmune disorders can be affected by food such as milk, egg whites, wheat and rice.
An autoimmune disorder is one in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the body.
Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are autoimmune disorders, as are certain skin conditions such as psoriasis.
In the study, 100 patients with autoimmune diseases were compared with 25 people without any autoimmunity.
Researchers said they could find a “clear” difference in food intolerance profiles, with sufferers displaying a much greater reaction to certain foods.
The findings have now prompted calls for food intolerance testing to become standard on the NHS for patients with autoimmune diseases.
“A food intolerance test is very important tool in patients with AI disease and should be performed in each patient to tailor an individual diet programme,” said Dr Francis Coucke, lead researcher of the study.
“If properly followed, this could relieve symptoms and probably stop or slow the progression of the autoimmune disease.”
“More research on great scale and multi centre around this topic is mandatory and urgent.”
The findings back up a study conducted earlier this year by YorkTest Laboratories.
This study examined patients with arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and a skin condition called urticaria.
Of the arthritis sufferers, 74 per cent of the 130 examined showed improvements in symptoms three months after changing their diet.
Of 51 people with multiple sclerosis, three-quarters reported improved symptoms, while 88 per cent of the 42 psoriasis patients noticed improvements.
Ten out of 11 Crohn’s disease sufferers saw improvements in symptoms, as did eight of 24 patients with fibromyalgia.
Seventy-six per cent of the 29 patients with urticaria also reported improvements.
“The immune system is constantly exposed to challenges from food ingested and the gut microbiota,” said scientific director Dr Gill Hart.
“If immune reactive compounds are similar in structure to those of the body’s auto-antigens, the production of antibodies that react not only to foods, but also the body’s own tissues could result.”
“A role for IgG-guided elimination dietary change in benefiting those with autoimmune conditions makes sense immunologically.”
“Our own data has shown that this approach could potentially benefit many suffering from autoimmune disorders. Sadly this approach is yet to be adopted into mainstream care, but it is something that is vitally important.”
YorkTest Laboratories’ findings were revealed during a presentation at the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Annual International Conference in Florida.