Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Managing Psoriasis Symptoms

Understanding Psoriasis and Its Connection to Diet

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. These patches typically appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back but can occur anywhere on the body. Up to 7.5 million Americans are estimated to have psoriasis.

Living with psoriasis poses various health challenges beyond the visible skin lesions themselves. According to research, people with psoriasis are at higher risk of developing conditions like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and depression among others.

Psoriasis and Associated Health Risks

Multiple large-scale studies have confirmed that people with psoriasis are more likely to develop major health conditions like:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome
• Liver disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Depression

For example, a 2007 study published in JAMA Dermatology found psoriasis was linked to a nearly 60% higher risk of diabetes. Researchers noted chronic inflammation as the potential connection between psoriasis and conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Role of Diet and Nutrition in Psoriasis

While the exact causes of psoriasis are not fully understood, a combination of genetic, immune system, and environmental factors play a role. There is a growing body of research demonstrating how one’s diet and nutrition influence psoriasis severity.

In general, nutrition has three implications for helping to manage psoriasis:

1. Preventing flares through avoiding trigger foods
2. Curtailing inflammation
3. Maintaining a healthy body weight

Food Triggers to Avoid with Psoriasis

Many people with psoriasis self-report that certain foods seem to aggravate their skin flares. Gluten, dairy, processed meats, nightshade vegetables, alcohol, refined carbs, and high sugar foods are some of the top dietary triggers cited.

Let’s explore some of these common dietary triggers for psoriasis flares and why they may contribute to skin inflammation.

Gluten

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Although full-blown celiac disease is not frequent among those with psoriasis, many seem to have a sensitivity to gluten.

One reason gluten may trigger psoriasis is its effect on intestinal permeability or “leaky gut.” Increased intestinal permeability allows proteins like gluten to escape the gut and activate the immune system.

Dairy

Like gluten, dairy is another top dietary trigger for psoriasis. The reasons why are likely multifaceted. Dairy may promote inflammation and gastrointestinal issues in those sensitive to it. It also contains arachidonic acid that can turn into inflammatory mediators once in the body.

Nightshades

The nightshade group of vegetables includes tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant, and peppers. Nightshade veggies contain compounds called alkaloids that can aggravate inflammation in sensitive individuals by promoting gut permeability and autoimmune reactions.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption has been associated with exacerbating psoriasis through various mechanisms such as decreasing folate levels, impairing immune functioning, generating free radicals, altering cell growth, and worsening psoriatic arthritis.

Junk foods

Highly processed junk foods tend to be pro-inflammatory and disrupt healthy gut bacteria. They negatively impact blood sugar levels and contain compounds that may exacerbate psoriasis like advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Psoriasis

Consuming a diet filled with nutritious, whole foods can help curb systemic inflammation from the inside-out. An anti-inflammatory diet emphasizes produce, lean proteins, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain beneficial plant compounds like antioxidants and phytochemicals that help counter inflammation. Aim for 7-10 servings of antioxidant-rich produce like leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, nuts, kale, and broccoli daily.

Lean Proteins

Protein helps repair, maintain, and build body tissues. Choose plant proteins often such as beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, tempeh, and tofu in addition to eggs, poultry, fish, and occasional red meat.

Healthy Fats

Include inflammation-taming fats found in olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish like salmon and tuna. Limit processed cooking oils and inflammatory omega-6 fats from refined vegetable oils like corn and soybean.

Lifestyle Modifications Beyond Diet

A comprehensive approach to managing psoriasis also incorporates specific lifestyle measures such as:

• Stress reduction techniques
• Regular exercise
• Not smoking
• Maintaining healthy body weight

Implications of Obesity

Carrying excess weight fuels chronic, low-grade inflammation that can worsen psoriasis. Obese individuals have more severe skin lesions over larger areas of the body compared to lean psoriasis patients.

Both obesity and psoriasis are influenced by overlapping inflammatory pathways. Fat cells generate inflammatory messenger proteins and adipokines that promote inflammatory processes throughout the body.

Weight loss results in decreased psoriasis severity. One study found obese patients with psoriasis who lost 10-15% of body weight noticed significant improvements in their skin.

Key Takeaways on Psoriasis Management

In review, these diet and lifestyle measures can benefit psoriasis:

• Avoiding common food triggers like gluten, dairy, and nightshades
• Eating more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts/seeds
• Reducing pro-inflammatory foods like junk foods, alcohol, and saturated fats
• Managing stress through yoga, mindfulness, therapy
• Exercising regularly
• Reaching a healthy body weight

Implementing anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle changes can help ease systemic inflammation, curb psoriasis flares, and offset associated health risks—ultimately improving quality of life for those living with psoriasis.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.