Healing the Symptoms of Psoriasis With Diet

17 Apr Healing the Symptoms of Psoriasis With Diet

Psoriasis is a tough-to-treat skin condition that is marked by itchy, red, dry, scaly patches of skin that seem to appear and disappear for no good reason.   For some psoriasis can be irritating, stressful, and embarrassing, but for others it’s debilitating, especially when it’s associated with arthritis. It’s estimated that about 15% of those with psoriasis also suffer from arthritic symptoms and although science is  unsure about the connection between the two ailments, they speculate that it may have to do with an immune response that is also felt in the tendons and ligaments.  So what actually causes this disease? Well, psoriasis occurs when the body’s T-cells, which are supposed to destroy germs as they enter the system, instead destroys healthy skin cells. To date, there is no actual cure for psoriasis, but there is a lot you can do with your diet to help alleviate your symptoms.

Foods that HEAL

Fill up on Folate – The British Journal of Dermatology published a study in 2006 that found many patients who suffer from psoriasis are also deficient in folate, or folic acid. The best way to get this from your diet is to load up on greens like asparagus, spinach, avocado and broccoli, but you can also get this from drinking pure orange juice, eating lentils, and adding nuts and seeds to your diet.

Eat omega 3’s – According to the Mayo Clinic a number of studies have shown that adding fatty fish to your diet like, salmon, sardines, herring, or a high quality supplement can improve the symptoms of psoriasis.

Add flax – Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil are rich in anti-inflammatory properties that may calm skin conditions like psoriasis.

Watch your weight – A 2013 study published in JAMA Dermatology found that patients who restricted their calorie intake to 800-1,000 calories a day for eight weeks not only lost weight, but experienced a decrease in the severity of psoriasis symptoms. Researchers speculated that obesity increases inflammation in the body, making psoriasis worse. Therefore, a diet that results in weight loss may be helpful.

Foods that HARM

Avoid gluten – It’s estimated that 16% of people with psoriasis are allergic to gliadin, a protein found in gluten. It’s also believed that a symptom of psoriasis may be gluten sensitivity in all patients.

Lay off the liquor – A study published in 1990 compared the alcohol consumption in men with psoriasis to those without the disease. Men who drank about 43 grams of alcohol a day were more likely to have psoriasis then men who drank only 21 grams a day.

If you think you may suffer from psoriasis, or any other skin condition, be sure to consult your doctor for medical advice.