Obesity And Psoriasis Onset
Although there is ongoing debate about the exact correlation between psoriasis and obesity, evidence suggests that the relationship is bidirectional: obesity may be a risk factor for psoriasis, or psoriasis may lead to obesity.
The association between psoriasis and obesity is believed to arise, in part, from the fact that both diseases involve chronic inflammatory processes. A network of inflammation-causing proteins known as cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor-alpha , is thought to play a key role in the development of obesity and psoriasis. In obesity, TNF- is believed to come from certain inflammatory cells found in body fat, whereas in psoriasis, its thought to be derived from activated T cells .
Obesity is common in people with psoriatic disease , and obesity is even more common in those with psoriasis alone.
Main Symptoms Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis typically causes patches of skin that are dry, red and covered in silver scales. Some people find their psoriasis causes itching or soreness.
There are several different types of psoriasis. Many people have only 1 form at a time, although 2 different types can occur together. One form may change into another or become more severe.
Most cases of psoriasis go through cycles, causing problems for a few weeks or months before easing or stopping.
You should see a GP if you think you may have psoriasis.
Sex Fertility And Pregnancy
Sex can sometimes be painful for people with psoriatic arthritis, particularly a woman whose hips are affected. Experimenting with different positions and communicating well with your partner will usually provide a solution.
Psoriatic arthritis wont affect your chances of having children. But if youre thinking of starting a family, its important to discuss your drug treatment with a doctor well in advance. If you become pregnant unexpectedly, talk to your rheumatology department as soon as possible.
The following must be avoided when trying to start a family, during pregnancy and when breastfeeding:
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Your Heart Will Be Healthier
According to a review published in April 2016 in the journal Arthritis Care & Research, people with psoriatic arthritis have a 43 percent higher risk of heart disease than people without the condition. If you have psoriatic arthritis, you have a higher level of inflammatory cells in your blood that can cause inflammation in your blood vessels, which can lead to atherosclerosis a buildup of plaque in artery walls. If this plaque breaks off, it can cause a blood clot, which could then lead to a heart attack or stroke. Lose weight, and you can lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol, which boosts heart health. Lowering your weight by about 10 percent over a six-month period can lower your risk for heart disease, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Mediterranean Diet Requires More Research
People who follow this diet get most of their fat from extra-virgin olive oil. They also eat at least two servings of vegetables and three servings of fruit every day. Each week, they eat at least three servings of fish or seafood, beans, and nuts.
All of these foods are rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients. Because psoriasis causes inflammation throughout the body, its believed that this diet could lead to less psoriasis on your skin.
Its still too early to know whether this is true. However, one large study suggests a Mediterranean diet could help people with psoriasis. In this study, 35,735 patients were asked to answer surveys about what they ate. The researchers collected in-depth information, such as how much fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, and legumes they ate.
The patients answered these in-depth surveys three times over a six-month period.
After analyzing the results, the researchers found that the patients with severe psoriasis ate few if any foods found in the Mediterranean diet.
While this may suggest that following a Mediterranean diet can lessen the amount of psoriasis on your skin, its too soon to tell. Only about 2% of the patients in this study had psoriasis. The study also relied on people being able to recall what they ate. Sometimes, it can be difficult to remember what you ate yesterday let alone weeks ago.
Takeaway: More research is needed to know how the Mediterranean diet affects psoriasis.
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Start With Simple Steps
No one diet has been shown to be better for psoriasis. But dermatologists say people who take a simple approach tend to have the best results for their skin and their waistlines.
Go for fruits, vegetables, nuts, and lean protein. And eat fewer processed foods. Drink lots of water, and steer clear of alcohol and soda. “Even diet soda is linked to weight gain,” says Lipner.
It may take trial and error to figure out what works for you. “Omega-3 fatty acids help with skin and overall inflammation,” says Dan Ilkovich, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic Florida. “So I tell patients that eating fatty fish like salmon is smart.”
Lipner says some people have found cutting sugar out of their diet helps their psoriasis. “There’s no downside to trying it,” she says.
If you’re not sure how to start, talk with a dietitian who specializes in skin conditions. They can help you find a diet that’s right for you.
The Heartbreak Of Psoriasis May Affect Your Joints Heart And Mind
- By , Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
Raised, red patches covered with silvery scales on the elbows and knees are the classic sign of plaque psoriasis. Its the most common form of this skin disease, named after an ancient Greek word meaning an itchy or scaly condition. But psoriasis can sometimes take different, more serious forms, and has been linked to other physical and mental health problems.
According to a report in the July issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, psoriasis is a large public health problem, affecting nearly 7 million adults in the United States. The report, based on a survey of 10,676 adults, found that non-Hispanic whites are much more likely to have psoriasis than other racial or ethnic groups. People who were older, obese, and former smokers were also more likely to have had a psoriasis diagnosis.
Most people82%said they had little or only a mild form of psoriasis, meaning that 2% or less of their body surface was affected. About 18% reported moderate to severe disease, defined as covering 3% or more of your body surface. But in some severe cases, as much as half of a persons body surface can be involved. And nearly a third of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes stiff, painful joints and other debilitating symptoms.
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Dont Ignore Gastrointestinal Issues
Do you regularly experience belly cramps or diarrhea? Thats something you want to mention to your doctor. People with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis share similar genetic changesa.k.a. mutationswith people who have Crohns disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in your digestive tract. Certain medications for PsA drugs can cause IBD or make it worse. Thats why its important to talk to your doctor if you notice gastrointestinal issues, including abdominal pain or bloody stool.
Why Might People Wonder About A Link Between Body Weight And Taltz
Taltz is used to treat ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation and moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, an immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the skin. Studies have shown that obese people are at increased risk of developing psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. While patients will know that their psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are associated with inflammation, many people may not realize that obesity is too – a fact which helps explain the link between the conditions.
The link between obesity and psoriasis isnt just applicable to adult patients either. Children with psoriasis were found to be much more likely to be overweight or obese in one international study.
While research indicates that being obese puts you at higher risk of developing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the relationship between the conditions isnt just one way street. Patients with psoriasis tend to do less exercise, for example. Many patients with psoriasis report reducing or stopping physical activities and it is thought that this may be due to how people feel about their bodies. Psoriatic arthritis can also make it more difficult to exercise, as can flare-ups of ankylosing spondylitis.
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How Will Psoriatic Arthritis Affect Me
Starting the right treatment as soon as possible will give you the best chance of keeping your arthritis under control and minimise damage to your body.
Psoriatic arthritis can vary a great deal between different people. This makes it difficult to offer advice on what you should expect.
It will usually have some effect on your ability to get around and your quality of life, but treatment will reduce the effect it has.
Psoriatic arthritis can cause long-term damage to joints, bones and other tissues in the body, especially if it isnt treated.
Your Medication May Work Better
Losing weight may help you get better results from your psoriatic arthritis treatment. One study, published in June 2014 in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases looked at the effect of biologic therapy on 138 people with psoriatic arthritis who were overweight or obese. The researchers separated them into two groups: People in one group were put on a low-calorie diet, while the others were only given dietary guidelines. After six months, researchers followed up with the 126 participants who completed the study to assess a number of factors, including the number of swollen and tender joints, degree of pain, and severity of skin symptoms. They found that regardless of which group they were in almost 45 percent of people who lost between 5 and 10 percent of their body weight and nearly 60 percent of those who lost more than 10 percent of their body weight achieved minimal disease activity.
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Can Your Diet Affect Psoriasis Symptoms
The causes of psoriasis might feel obscure, so thinking that it might be something in the diet has some appeal, Steven Feldman, M.D., a professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina, tells SELF. There is also some scientific evidence that diet can affect inflammation in the body, and psoriasis is an inflammatory condition, so it makes sense to think the diet might have some effect.
But science hasnt solidified a connection yet. While there is some evidence exploring the link, there isnt concrete data to support the theory that a persons diet plays a role in their psoriasis, according to Dr. Feldman, who coauthored a 2019 review of 63 medical articles1 investigating diets for psoriasis.
Unfortunately, because of the way many of these studies have been designed, its really hard to conclude which changes, including diet changes, are responsible for certain outcomes, like worsened or improved symptoms. That doesnt mean its out of the question that certain diet changes can have a beneficial impact on psoriasisit just means that more research that addresses these issues needs to be done so scientists have more solid data to work with.
So far, there are two main diet approaches for people with psoriasis: additive diets and subtractive diets. With an additive diet, youd focus on consuming more of a specific food or nutrient. With a subtractive diet, youd slowly remove certain foods or nutrients.
What Foods Can Cause Psoriasis Flare
Studies have shown that almost two-thirds of people with psoriasis link certain foods to flare-ups of psoriasis. Foods commonly identified as psoriasis triggers are :
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Sugar
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Eggs
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Spicy foods
There is no large-scale scientific evidence that links any specific food with worsening psoriasis. But its technically challenging to study peoples reported diets.
Psoriasis affects each person differently, and this is also true for food triggers. Just because a person experiences worsening psoriasis with a certain food doesnt mean that other people will, too.
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Effects Of Weight Gain On Psa Treatment
Being overweight or obese can prevent PsA medications, such as biologics and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs , from working effectively.
This is partly because doctors often have difficulty finding the right doses of medication to alleviate the extra problems that being overweight can cause people with PsA. These problems include more significant pain, more severe skin problems, and a higher number of tender joints.
The best way to lose weight is to eat a healthful diet and exercise regularly.
The American College of Rheumatology state that people with arthritis who exercise regularly may experience less pain, have higher energy levels, and get better quality sleep.
Guidelines in 2019 recommend low-impact exercise, such as swimming, tai chi, or yoga, for people with PsA.
Doctors often advise people to start an exercise regime slowly then build it up gradually. If a joint is hot or swollen after an exercise session, cover it with an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes to reduce pain and inflammation.
Eating a healthful diet also plays a role in helping people to lose weight. Adopting a healthful lifestyle that includes exercise is more likely to help people lose weight and maintain weight loss than restrictive diets, which can be more challenging to maintain.
The AF offers the following steps for losing weight without dieting:
Crohns Disease And Weight Gain
Inflammatory bowel disease is related to weight gain. But this is not applicable for all. Consuming healthy food is a bit tough for people with IBD.
Many had to go through intestinal surgery. At the same time, few people have a small intestinal resection. This makes it difficult for them to eat vegetables and fruits. Obstructions and blockages are common in the case of IBD patients. So, they tend to avoid them.
According to IBD patients, it is easier for them to consume processed food. They can digest them easily.
As a result of this, they prefer these foods over healthy ones. This leads to weight gain continuously. Yet keeps their disease under control.
Moreover, sick people are naturally known to have less energy. So it is difficult for them to do any exercise. You are not moving your body but eating processed foods. This can be a deadly combination.
Again, dealing with depression makes you lazy enough to stay in bed.
So, does Stelara cause weight gain? The answer is a straight no! Visit the doctor to identify your cause of weight gain. Otherwise, you might end up blaming Stelara!
So, you might be thinking that your medicine is making you gain weight. But thats not the case. Your disease itself is responsible for your extra pounds.
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Foods That Contain Gluten
Research suggests that people with psoriasis tend to have higher rates of celiac disease. In people with celiac disease, gluten triggers an autoimmune response that causes the body to attack tissues in the small intestine. People with celiac disease need to avoid gluten completely, though some people without the disease have found that reducing gluten in their diet lessens psoriasis flare-ups.
Foods To Avoid With Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes skin cells to build up and form lesions on the skin. Food is one of many potential triggers that may make a persons psoriasis symptoms worsen or flare.
People with psoriasis are at a of developing other conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Making dietary adjustments may help prevent these secondary conditions and reduce symptoms.
Certain foods may act as triggers for some people.
This article explores what foods may trigger psoriasis flares and how a person can identify them.
Gluten is a protein in certain grains, including wheat. For example, bread, pasta, and baked goods contain gluten in varying amounts.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes a reaction to gluten when a person consumes products that contain wheat.
A 2018 study found that people with psoriasis had the same prevalence of an antibody that people with celiac and gluten sensitivities have.
Researchers also found that when people who tested positive for the antibody ate a gluten-free diet, they saw a reduction in their psoriasis symptoms.
create byproducts that contribute to psoriasis lesions.
As a result, avoiding red meat, such as hamburgers or steak, may help reduce the severity of psoriasis lesions.
Avoiding red meats has the added benefit of helping to prevent heart disease.
According to some research, red meats create byproducts that increase a persons likelihood of developing heart disease.
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Vitamins And Psoriatic Disease
There is no direct link between vitamins and dietary supplements and psoriatic disease. However, many with psoriatic disease find that including vitamins and supplements in their diet helps their skin clear and may ease joint pain.
Dietary supplements can be extracts or concentrates, and they can occur in many forms, such as tablets, capsules, softgels, gelcaps, liquids or powders.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness. This can also lead to an inconsistency when it comes to active ingredients. Itâs important that you talk to your doctor before adding any vitamins or supplements to your treatment plan, as some may interfere with your medications.
Here are some of the more popular vitamins and supplements used to combat psoriatic disease.
Who Will Be Responsible For My Healthcare
Youre likely to see a team of healthcare professionals.
Your doctor, usually a rheumatologist, will be responsible for your overall care. And a specialist nurse may help monitor your condition and treatments. A skin specialist called a dermatologist may be responsible for the treatment of your psoriasis.
You may also see:
- a physiotherapist, who can advise on exercises to help maintain your mobility
- an occupational therapist, who can help you protect your joints, for example, by using splints for the wrist or knee braces. You may be advised to change the way you do some tasks to reduce the strain on your joints.
- a podiatrist, who can assess your footcare needs and offer advice on special insoles and good supportive footwear.
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