Can You Cure Psoriasis Through Diet
Unfortunately, we cant cure psoriasis through diet. In fact, there isnt any cure for psoriasis. But in addition to diet, there are ways to manage the condition.
Exercise is good for your immune system, and can also help promote weight loss because of the calories that you burn, says Dr. Fernandez. Wellness, in general, is good to strive for. Strategies such as eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep are all keys to help minimize the chances youre going to flare.
Dr. Fernandez notes that certain people improve so much with diet and exercise that they dont need medication. But we think of that as more the exception, and we certainly dont say thats all you need to do, he stresses, noting that neither exercise nor diet, in general, are recommended as sole alternatives to medications.
For some people, the improvements they see through exercise and diet might mean all they need is a topical medicine to control psoriasis, as opposed to a pill or an injectable medicine that affects their immune system systemically and can come with other side effects, says Dr. Fernandez.
And, chances are, people with moderate to severe psoriasis will likely always need medication, he adds. However, we do believe we can minimize the medications you need to take through wellness and diet.
Avoid All Packaged Foods
Canned, bottled, boxed and other packaged and processed foods usually contain refined sugar products and other hidden ingredients. For example, you will find many small pieces of dried fruits in packaged cereals and muesli. You will find many artificial colors, flavors as well as preservatives lurking in a wide variety of processed and packaged foods. You will surprised to see sugar of some kind of form as a main ingredient in many packaged and processed foods. Read the labels!
What To Eat If You Have Psoriasis
While there’s no single, “best” diet for psoriasis, a Mediterranean diet is not a bad choice.
Dr. Shields cites large trials demonstrating a wealth of benefits for people following a Mediterranean diet, including reductions in markers of inflammation, decreased body weight, and lower insulin production. “All factors that should, in theory, benefit patients with psoriasis,” she says.
Zumpano says that the Mediterranean diet is a good diet to try, but like anything, suggests giving it a month or two to see how you respond. “There’s trial and error,” she says. “So, if you’re going to try a diet to ‘cure your psoriasis,’ I would do a very whole foods, heavily-plant-based, clean diet, then I would track your flare-ups and see if there was anything in your diet that may have stimulated it.”
Here are some foods to include in your diet:
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Sauces And Condiments To Avoid For A Few Months
- Barbecue sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- White vinegar
Avoid ALL kinds of vinegar-containing foods such as mayonnaise and salad dressings, especially those fat-free dressings because they are all high in sugars and these sugars are often artificial as well. Freshly squeezed lemon juice may be used as a substitute for vinegar in salad dressings prepared with extra virgin olive oil. You can use vinegar providing is has been naturally fermented, like Braggs Vinegar. Some people who treat psoriasis may tell you to avoid all vinegar strictly, this is not right in my experience. I have found that most all patients with psoriasis can tolerate an organic and naturally fermented vinegar that has not been pasteurized.
Inflammation May Link Psoriasis And Depression
If you experience psoriasis along with anxiety or depression, youre not alone. Its thought that 43 percent of people with psoriasis also have anxiety. An estimated 20 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis are thought to be affected by depression .
There are a number of reasons why this correlation exists. One academic paper noted that there may be a close connection between depression and inflammation. Depression and negative experiences can trigger a stress response in the body, which increases inflammation. The inflammation can then exacerbate symptoms of depression.
The paper further noted that people with depression have higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines by 30 percent in comparison to those who dont experience depression.
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Eat More: Dark Leafy Greens
These are loaded with antioxidants, which protect your cells against inflammation. That may help with your psoriasis symptoms. Plus, leafy greens are low in calories and high in fiber, so theyâre diet-friendly. Try tossing arugula in a salad, kale or collard greens in a soup, and chard or spinach into an omelet.
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Other Triggers To Avoid And Ways To Improve Psoriasis
Other tips that may help with psoriasis symptoms are:
- Lose weight and maintain a healthy weight.
- Dont smoke.
- Try food journalingthis can help track triggers for symptoms.
- Avoid cold, dry weather.
- Avoid skin injuries and scrapes.
- Avoid medication triggerssuch as lithium, prednisone, hydroxychloroquine.
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Can Psoriasis Kill You
Although psoriasis isnt considered to be a terminal condition, a 2017 study found that people with psoriasis that covered at least 10 percent of their body had 1.79 times greater risk for death in comparison to the general population.
Findings also showed that these people with more severe psoriasis had a greater risk for developing other serious, potentially life threatening conditions. Those include:
- chronic kidney disease
- cardiovascular disease
- diabetes
The study authors concluded that individuals with high surface area psoriasis should be screened for health prevention measures in order to help close the mortality gap.
, people with psoriasis may also have a greater risk for developing an autoimmune condition, such as:
- vitiligo
- thyroiditis
- rheumatoid arthritis
Whether psoriasis itself is an autoimmune condition has yet to be proven. But its considered to be a T-cell mediated disorder of immune dysregulation.
Not everyone with psoriasis will be diagnosed with an additional inflammatory- or autoimmune-related health condition. But the risk for developing one does increase when youre diagnosed with psoriasis.
If you have psoriasis, you may want to discuss your risk for these comorbid conditions with your healthcare provider.
Emotional Impact Of Psoriasis
The effect that psoriasis can have on physical appearance means low self-esteem and anxiety are common among people with the condition. This can lead to depression, especially if the psoriasis gets worse.
Your GP or dermatologist will understand the psychological and emotional impact of psoriasis, so talk to them about your concerns or anxieties.
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Healthy Eating And Exercise
People with psoriasis have a slightly higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease than the general population, although its not known why.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet are recommended for everyone, not just people with psoriasis, because they can help to prevent many health problems. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly can also relieve stress, which may improve your psoriasis.
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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.
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Avoid The Nightshade Family Of Vegetables
Avoid white and red potatoes, tomato , capsicum, sweet or hot peppers , and tobacco. This is only a trial, you will want to avoid all nightshade vegetables for a few months before you re-introduce them, to see if this family of vegetables is a psoriasis trigger. How will you know, unless you stop eating them for a month or two?
Perceived Dietary Triggers And Helpful Additives
About 37% of respondents reported that they did not recognize any dietary triggers which may worsen their psoriasis or left the survey field blank . Among respondents, the most common reported triggers were sugar , alcohol , tomato , gluten , and dairy . Less commonly reported triggers included meat, processed foods, soda, bread, beer, wine, eggs, and spicy foods.
Reported dietary triggers that worsen psoriasis. Only responses > 5% listed. Less commonly reported triggers included meat, processed foods, soda, bread, beer, wine, eggs, and spicy foods
Respondents also reported dietary items that may improve psoriasis. This included consumption of dietary supplements , vegetables , fruits , water , and fish .
Reported dietary additions that Improve psoriasis. Only responses > 5% listed. *Common dietary supplements reported include: vitamin D, fish oil/omega-3, probiotics, vitamin B, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A, and turmeric capsules
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Is There A Specific Diet Plan That Can Help Manage Psoriasis
On its own, a specific diet isnt the only way to manage psoriasis. Theres no one diet that we know for sure is the best diet for patients, says Dr. Fernandez. And we dont necessarily recommend this as the only therapy. Most people will not improve with diet alone to the point where they dont need other medicines.
However, some diets are better than others in terms of helping with psoriasis.
Nightshades And Psoriasis Connection
Nightshades or their correct scientific name, Solanaceae species are often rich in alkaloids whose toxicity to humans and animals ranges from mildly irritating to fatal in small quantities. Tobacco also includes these harmful alkaloids.
Natural Health practitioners tend to advise total avoidance of the nightshade family if you suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and psoriasis. In fact one in three arthritis sufferers react badly to nightshades. While this is no way conclusive that it affects your psoriasis condition, I tend to avoid this group as a precaution but I do have some from time to time.
If you can stick to the above you should stop further outbreaks of psoriasis, as is what happened in my case. The emphasis must now be on adding the good, natural healing foods to your body, so you can repair your leaky gut and finally give your body the best possible chance of healing your skin from the inside out.
Once your psoriasis is under control, you can start to reintroduce some of the above foods into your diet. If you see a reaction then simply add it to your foods that you should avoid list.
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What Not To Eat
Avoid food that is specifically known to cause inflammation and flare-ups in psoriasis. Some of them are:
Eggs and milk. They are known to aggravate psoriasis lesions.
Gluten: wheat, rye, and oats. Also, avoid wheat-based products such as maida, vermicelli, noodles, pasta, and bread.
Processed foods. Avoid canned meat, canned fruits, and canned veggies. They are high in calories, preservatives, and additives that cause psoriasis flare-ups.
Nightshade vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, brinjal, and capsicum.
Alcohol.
Any psoriasis diet should also be accompanied by regular exercise to lose weight. Just make sure not to injure yourself in the process. Any cuts, bruises, or scratches can lead to new psoriasis flare-ups.
Read more on the Indian diet for diabetes and diet for IBS D.
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.
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Foods To Avoid When Living With Psoriasis
by Patient Advocate
In a perfect world, the best diet would be to eat a little bit of everything. Unfortunately, when youre dealing with a chronic condition such as psoriatic disease, you must be strict with your diet. Food is known to trigger your immune system, causing you any number of symptoms. Each of us will have different trigger foods, but the following are examples of foods that may be aggravating your psoriatic disease.
Foods That Make Eczema And Psoriasis Worse
While the exact cause of eczema and psoriasis is not known, there are many factors that can make the symptoms worse, diet being one of them. If you have eczema or psoriasis there are certain foods that can cause flare ups. Both conditions are extremely uncomfortable and can be embarrassing for some, but there are a number of things that an individual can do to help reduce these symptoms.
What is the difference between eczema and psoriasis? Eczema is a skin condition which causes rough and inflamed patches of skin. With eczema, the skin is usually itchy and can sometimes crack and blister. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes the skin to regenerate every 3-4 days . The rapid regeneration of skin sells causes a buildup of cells that causes scaling on the skins surface. Inflammation, itchiness, and redness are also symptoms.
Here are some foods that make eczema and psoriasis worse:
- Red Meat: Red meat is high in saturated fat and saturated fat can increase inflammation in your body. Try to limit or even eliminate foods that are high in saturated fat, including foods like butter and cheese.
- Gluten: Some people with eczema and psoriasis have found that by removing or limiting gluten in their diet their flare-ups have decreased. Gluten is a protein found in processed foods such as bread, pasta, and cereal, just to name a few.
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Can It Be Mistaken For Something Else
There are other skin conditions that can resemble psoriasis, which sometimes makes diagnosis difficult. These conditions may include:
- Fungal skin infections. Fungal skin infections occur when fungi multiply on the skin or find their way in through an open lesion. These infections usually appear as itchy, scaly rashes.
- Lichen planus. Lichen planus is a skin rash that often appears in conjunction with other autoimmune conditions. It can present in multiple ways, such as purplish skin bumps or white lesions on the mouth.
- Cutaneous lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune condition that causes system-wide inflammation. Cutaneous lupus affects roughly two-thirds of people with lupus and is characterized by rashes on exposed skin areas.
- Eczema.Eczema appears as red, inflamed, peeling, cracked, blistered, or pus-filled on light skin. But on darker skin, the redness may be difficult to see but will look darker brown, purple, or ashen gray. Generally, there are no scales.
In addition to the conditions above, differences in the appearance of psoriasis between skin colors can make it even more difficult to diagnose in people with darker skin.
Still, its important that doctors are trained on how to recognize psoriasis and other conditions in people of color.
As a person of color, if youre concerned that you may have psoriasis, its important to make sure that your concerns are being heard.
Advocating for yourself based on your symptoms can ensure a proper diagnosis and timely treatment.
Reported Triggers And Helpful Additives
The most common psoriasis triggers reported by respondents were sugar, alcohol, nightshades, and gluten. The mechanism of how each of these triggers may induce or exacerbate psoriasis is unclear. However, prior studies have implicated these dietary components in causing alterations in the intestinal microbiome composition, irritating the intestinal lining, and upregulation of the immune system. Evidence suggests that dietary simple sugars lead to dysbiosis of the gut microbiome favoring injurious bacterial taxa and an increase in inflammatory cytokines . Alternatively, complex carbohydrates with high fiber, such as those found in fruits and vegetables, have been found to have an opposite effect on the gut microbiome and reduce inflammation .
An increase in inflammatory cytokines may also explain the link between alcohol and psoriasis. Excessive alcohol intake has been associated with the development of psoriasis and is correlated with psoriasis severity . Proposed mechanisms for the interaction of alcohol in psoriasis include enhancement of mitogen-driven lymphocyte proliferation and upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines .
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Inflammation Can Cause Systemic Issues In The Body
Normally, the body naturally uses inflammation to help heal itself. Acute inflammation happens in response to injury. If you stub your toe, it becomes red and swollen as the body sends a rush of white blood cells to protect the area.
With an overactive immune system, inflammation attacks both injured cells and healthy ones. This is known as chronic inflammation, which can contribute to many health issues like arthritis, heart disease, and psoriasis.
What Foods Might Help
There is no scientific evidence that a specific diet or food can treat, cure, or prevent the symptoms of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. However, foods that decrease inflammation, like those in an anti-inflammatory diet, may offer benefits. A healthy diet may also reduce the risk of comorbid conditions associated with psoriasis, such as heart disease and diabetes.
MyPsoriasisTeam members have shared how an anti-inflammatory diet has helped them. I have been incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods. Pineapple, turmeric, ginger, and tart cherry have all been helpful, said one member.
Another emphasized the important role of diet in symptom management. I am keeping a very strict anti-inflammatory diet, they said. If I go off of it just a little bit, the symptoms come back quickly.
While youre looking at specific foods, consider also looking at your diet as a whole and determining whether changes to support a healthy weight are needed. Being overweight or obese can make psoriasis more severe, but weight loss can improve response to systemic psoriasis therapies and lessen disease severity.
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