Foods That Help Psoriasis
Psoriasis sufferers can help their condition by simply eating the right foods. As I have already spoken about in some previous article like “Best Diet For Psoriasis Sufferers” and “A Skin Disorder Diet“. Highly recommended reads by the way.
And of course, starting with a detox program is definitely the best way forward!
The immune system, which is the body’s ultimate defense system can sometimes attack its own cells and tissues. Psoriasis is one of the possible outcome when normal tissues in the body are attacked by the immune system; this causes swelling and a faster turnover of skin cells.
When this happens, the body finds it difficult to get rid of dead cells on the skin surface since a lot of cells are rising to the surface of the skin. As a result, they pile up and form itchy, red patches on the skin.
Psoriasis Can Be Stressful And Irritating …
Medications, ointments, creams as well as light therapy may help to alleviate this condition. However, some research has suggested foods that help psoriasis. The treatment options for psoriasis at the moment is more focused on addressing the symptoms, which usually come and go.
The application of ointments and creams helps in reducing turnover of skin cells and inflammation; thus, reducing patches on the skin. We have reports that light therapy can minimize flare-ups in some individuals. Doctors, in more severe cases, may use meds that inhibit the action of specific immune cells or drugs that dampen the immune system. Using medications, however, has its own side effects. Thus, the need for an alternative treatment option.
Certain types of diet have shown promising results with this condition. Although there is limited research on diet and psoriasis, some studies have reported that some foods can help psoriasis.
Back in 1969, some scientist tried to identify a possible connection between diet and psoriasis. A study published in the journal Archives of Dermatology reported no connection between the flare up of psoriasis and a diet low in protein. However, more recent studies have discovered different results.
Low-calorie Diet
According to some recent research, a diet low in fat and calorie may decrease the severity of psoriasis. Researchers, in a study published in JAMA Dermatology in 2013, gave participants a diet low in energy (800 -1000 calories) every day for 8 weeks. The calorie amount was increased to 1200 per day for additional 8 weeks …
Effect of Weight Loss on the Severity of Psoriasis – A Randomized Clinical Study:
Abstract:
Importance – Psoriasis is associated with adiposity and weight gain increases the severity of psoriasis and the risk of incident psoriasis. Therefore, we aimed to measure the effect of weight reduction on the severity of psoriasis in obese patients with psoriasis.
Objective – To assess the effect of weight reduction on the severity of psoriasis in overweight patients.
Design – Sixty obese patients with psoriasis from our dermatology outpatient clinic were enrolled in a prospective randomized clinical trial in which they were allocated to a control group or an intervention group.
Setting – University hospital outpatient dermatology clinic.
Participants – We included 60 of 69 eligible overweight patients with psoriasis (body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], 27-40; aged 25-71 years).
Interventions – The intervention group received a low-energy diet (LED) (800-1000 kcal/d) for 8 weeks to induce weight loss, followed by 8 weeks of reintroduction of normal food intake, reaching 1200 kcal/d. The control group was instructed to continue eating ordinary healthy foods.
Main Outcomes and Measures – Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) after 16 weeks, with Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) as a secondary end point.
Results:
Results – The median PASI for all patients was 5.4 (interquartile range, 3.8-7.6) at baseline. At week 16, the mean body weight loss was 15.4 kg (95% CI, 12.3-18.5 kg; P < .001) greater in the intervention group than in the control group. The corresponding mean differences in PASI and DLQI, also in favor of the LED group, were −2.0 (95% CI, 4.1 to −0.1; P = .06) and −2.0 (95% CI, −3.6 to −0.3; P = .02), respectively.
Conclusions and Relevance – Treatment with an LED showed a trend in favor of clinically important PASI improvement and a significant reduction in DLQI in overweight patients with psoriasis.
JAMA Dermatology: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/1690928
At the end of the tenure, not only did participants lose weight, they also experience a trend in decreased psoriasis severity. According to speculations by the researchers, obesity increases inflammation, making psoriasis more severe or worse. Thus, it may be that foods that help psoriasis are foods that encourage weight loss.
Gluten-free Diet
Can a gluten-free diet help? Based on some studies, this type of diet is dependent on the individual’s sensitivities. People who are allergic to wheat or have celiac disease may find relief if they stay away from gluten.
A study in the year 2000 reported improvements in psoriasis symptoms in people with gluten sensitivities who are on gluten-free diets. The condition, however, worsened when they resumed their usual diet. Another study in 2005 also reported that some individuals with psoriasis had higher sensitivity to gluten.
Why Eat Gluten Free?
There are so many reasons to begin eating a gluten free diet. Whatever your reason is, it’s the right one. Whether you have a “gold standard” diagnosis of celiac disease, believe you have gluten sensitivity or another form of gluten intolerance, are allergic to wheat, or just plain feel better when you don’t eat gluten, you are free to choose to follow a gluten free diet.
Gluten Free on a Shoestring: https://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/basic-rules-gluten-free-diet/
Antioxidant-rich Diet
Eating fruits and veggies is very important, but people with psoriasis will benefit more from consuming fruits and vegetables. A 1996 study reported an inverse relationship between psoriasis and consumption of tomatoes, carrots and fresh fruit. These foods are rich source of antioxidants.
Another interesting study in a publication of 1997 also reports that psoriasis patients had lower blood levels of glutathione, which is a potent antioxidant present in broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, garlic, kale and onions. The researchers speculated that antioxidant-rich foods may alleviate the condition.
So if you are looking for foods that help psoriasis, now is the time to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.
Fish Oil
Different studies have reported fish oil to improve psoriasis symptoms. Based on a 1989 study, participants were placed on a low-fat diet supplemented with fish oil for 4 months. More than half participants displayed excellent or moderate improvements in psoriasis symptoms.
Another study in 1993 reveled that men who abused alcohol benefited poorly from psoriasis treatments. Based on a 1990 study that compared men with psoriasis with men without this condition, those who drank about 43 grams of alcohol a day were on the high side of having psoriasis, compared to those who drank just 21 grams per day.
Although there is limited research on moderate consumption of alcohol, reducing alcohol intake may help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis.
According to recommendations from dermatologist, people with psoriasis will benefit greatly from a healthy diet. Thus, take a lot of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Besides healthy eating, keeping a healthy body weight may offer relief.
A strong link between psoriasis and weight gain was reported in a 2007 study. Also, having a higher hip circumference, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio have been linked with an increased risk of psoriasis.
They are foods that help psoriasis if you need a natural and alternative treatment option for this condition. To reduce flare-ups, make sure you eat healthy and stay lean.
DISCLAIMER
Please note that any advice, guidance or instruction that I provide here should not be a substitute for medical advice. And this is valid for any of my articles, reports and product reviews.
Ensure you visit your physician if you are using any medication or if you are skeptic following the advice offered.
Also, note that results may vary among individuals. All media content used in this post are for illustration purposes alone.
John – Owner of “Natural Health Remedies For Everyone”
I hope that this report will help you choose the right foods if you are suffering from psoriasis …
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Hi there! Thank you for sharing such an informative post. I know many people that have psoriasis and they are always looking for new ways to get rid of it. It can be a terrible problem to have and can get very frustrating when there is no obvious treatment. I will have to share this with my friends, thank you!
Thanks for your comment Rashaad. Although there is no complete treatment for psoriasis, with time I have nearly completely got rid of mine. Even my doctor is surprised. So, you will do your friends a great favor if you would share this blog with them. Thanks for doing that.
Best wished,
John
Thank you John for the expository post on psoriasis.
If you ask me for an opinion of psoriasis, I’d say that fatty foods and calories help to induce it, since psoriasis has to do with weight gain. The patches that form on the skin can be caused by the overlaying of fats, bringing about too much of dead cells on the skin.
But as with all normal prescriptions, I believe fruits and vegetables will help in alleviating the issue, since they are foods rich in antioxidants. Thanks for sharing this awesome article. I’m sharing this right away.
Thanks for your precision John, it is exactly what your are describing. And thanks very much for sharing this article, I do appreciate it.
All the best,
John
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Thanks very much for sharing your happy ending experience with HSV 2 and herbal remedies Latiesha. I am glad that you found a remedy that worked well for you. Personally I swear by natural remedies which is the reason for me to run this blog. I hope that many of my readers will agree with you and me for that matter.
Take care, stay safe, healthy and happy,
John