Avoiding inflammatory foods and favoring anti-inflammatory foods in the diet can be helpful in managing diseases such as psoriasis. It is important to understand that there is no known diet that can cure psoriasis, and the types of foods that can cause a flare-up can be highly individual. For example, although gluten may be a trigger for one person, that doesn't necessarily mean it will cause symptoms in another person with psoriasis.
But there are some general recommendations for reducing inflammation in the body if you have psoriasis. These are some of the foods you might want to avoid or limit to help manage your symptoms.
has long been considered a food that promotes inflammation in the body, and a February 2020 study in Journal of Investigative Dermatology showed that psoriasis was related to a diet high in added sugar even in the short term.
There are sugars that occur naturally in some foods, such as fruits and dairy products, but added sugar refers to sweeteners added to a food during processing.
Common foods with added sugars include:
- Sweetened drinks such as soda and energy drinks
- Sweets and candies
- Ready-made cereals
- Some types of bread
Reducing the intake of added sugars may have the added benefit of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
In general, the same eating patterns that prevent obesity and cardiovascular disease can be helpful for psoriasis.
refined are carbohydrates that have been highly processed so that they are no longer in their original form. These include:
- White rice
- White bread
- flours
- ready-to-eat foods such as crackers, chips, cookies, granola bars, energy bars, and breakfast cereals.
Refined carbohydrates are associated with inflammation in the body. To avoid them, try to focus on eating foods as they are grown in nature: brown rice instead of white, steel-cut oats instead of grains or an apple instead of that energy bar. with apple flavor.
These foods contain antioxidants, which fight free radicals that cause inflammation in the body.
, that include:- corn oil
- cottonseed oil
- peanut oil
- rice bran oil
- sesame oil
- soybean oil
- sunflower oil
These omega-6-rich oils have been linked to chronic low-grade inflammation. Instead, try to opt for unrefined cooking oils, such as extra virgin olive oil, raw coconut oil, and cold-pressed avocado oil.
If you miss the taste of refined oils, consider sprinkling some zing in the form of herbs and spices. Turmeric, in particular, can help minimize psoriasis in some people.
, so these should be limited. Particularly:
- Red meats such as burgers and steaks
- Processed cured meats such as salami
To further aid in treating psoriasis, it's good to swap those saturated fats for some healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce chronic inflammation. Instead of steak for dinner, opt for salmon and a salad topped with walnuts. and flax seeds.
. Keep in mind that everyone is advised to drink alcohol in moderation, which means no more than one or two drinks a day.improve after eliminating foods such as gluten and dairy products. An elimination diary or food diary can be useful tools to keep track of your diet and symptoms to share with your doctor and to explore possible links.
If you go the elimination route, the idea is to only remove one food at a time, such as gluten, for a few weeks, then add it back to your diet. Basically, it is experimented to see if psoriasis symptoms resolve with removal and return with reintroduction. Be sure to work closely with your doctor or dietician to do this safely so you don't end up eliminating important nutrients from your diet.
Healthy is linked to a reduced risk of psoriasis, so foods that support gut health can help improve psoriasis symptoms.A healthy microbiome needs fiber, which is found only in plant foods. If you are following a diet rich in animal products, such as dairy, cheese, and meat, be sure to incorporate more fiber-rich foods, such as vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
Another plus for the plant-based category: in general, plants are anti-inflammatory.
