How Important Is Diet In Psoriasis Treatment?

Yesterday, a patient visited our clinic and said that after having the medicine he experienced a recovery from his psoriasis, but his psoriasis skin lesions improved a lot only after he started following a specific diet for it. Although there’s a little scientific evidence to support the notion that diet has a major impact on psoriasis disease, some people do report reduced symptoms when they alter what they eat. Diet plays a major role in promoting recovery from psoriasis. So, I thought, discussing diet, in brief, can help several psoriasis patients to combat the disease, as many people are not aware of it.

Psoriasis is a stubborn, chronic inflammatory skin disease which causes a red, scaly rash, most commonly over the elbows, knees, hands, lower back, and scalp. Psoriasis occurs mainly due to the genetic disposition, stress, and environmental factors, and it can be triggered by dietary products.

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Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease, so many dietary products which enhance inflammation need to be avoided in yourregular diet. Also, you must add anti-inflammatory food products to reduce the inflammation. Let’s have a look at dietary products which are helpful in reducing the inflammation and do not trigger the condition.

What To Eat For Psoriasis?

Here are some foods which you should include in your diet when suffering from psoriasis.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods:

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease, so eating anti-inflammatory foods can help alleviate the condition. Include the below mentioned anti-inflammatory foods in your diet.

Fish oils, such as albacore tuna, mackerel, salmon, herring, and lake trout, at least two times a week
Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acid, such as flaxseeds.
Others: Poultry without skin, walnuts, blueberries, pineapple, and carrots. Turmeric powder and ginger.

Antioxidant-Rich Foods:

Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains are some of the rich sources of antioxidants. Make sure you include them in your diet.

Add Vitamins D & A In Diet:

Cantaloupe, carrots, mango, tomatoes, and watermelon are good sources of vitamin A. So, add them to your diet. Vitamin D, which is also known as the sunshine vitamin as your body produces it after getting exposed to the sun, can also prove helpful for treating psoriasis.

Drinking Plenty Of Water:

Water hydrates every part of the body, including the skin. Consuming enough fresh, clean water throughout the day may help improve the texture, look, and feel of your skin.

Also Read: What are the triggers of psoriasis and how to manage it?

Foods To Be Avoided When Suffering From Psoriasis:

Limits Alcohol Consumption:

Alcohol can trigger psoriasis as it dilates the blood vessels, which promote white cells, and also increases the inflammation. Also, alcohol dehydrates your body and makes your skin turn dry, thereby worsens psoriasis symptoms. So, it is best to avoid the consumption of alcohol.

Avoid Fatty Red Meats:

Fatty red meats can cause inflammation, so avoid them. Some people with psoriasis find an anti-inflammatory diet helpful in controlling their symptoms.

Reduce Intake Of High-Fat Dairy Products:

A diet rich in dairy products causes secretion of an excess of insulin. Too much insulin upsets the functioning of your thyroid and this imbalance can reflect in outbreaks on your skin. So, avoid having high-fat dairy products.

Gluten-Free Diet:

People who have celiac disease, which is marked by a sensitivity to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley), may be at an increased risk for psoriasis, which is another disease related to the immune system. So, people with celiac disease or psoriasis should go for a gluten-free diet, as it can help improve their recovery from psoriasis symptoms

Also Read: Dos & Don’ts For The Best Psoriasis Treatment

Simple Poor Quality Foods To Be Avoided:

White bread, sugar, breakfast cereal, potatoes, pastries, milk chocolates, and soda are some of the foods which you should avoid when suffering from psoriasis.

Nightshade Plants:

Some people report that consuming plants from the ‘nightshade family’, which includes peppers, white potatoes, eggplant, and tomatoes, exacerbates their psoriasis. These vegetables contain solanine, a chemical compound which has been shown to trigger pain in some people. So, avoid eating them.

Along with the diet, you must take the proper treatment under the guidance of an experienced and expert doctor. Homeopathy treatment for Psoriasis plays a very important role by addressing the root cause of psoriasis disease and gives you very good relief without any side-effects.

So, if you happen to suffer from psoriasis, make sure you follow these diet tips and count on homeopathy to get a great relief from it.

– Written by Dr. Ishwari, Associate doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah

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