Psoriasis is a skin condition, caused by an over-accelerated rate of new cell growth. Red or silvery lesions build on the affected area and can become inflamed or very itchy. The cause of psoriasis is not known and, despite the suspicions of many affected, no clear link has been found between psoriasis and food. However, if you suffer from psoriasis, you may find that the affected area becomes irritated after certain foods.
Alcohol
There have been many studies conducted on alcohol intake and psoriasis occurrence, but the link has not yet been conclusively proven. The study "Alcohol Intake: a Risk Factor for Psoriasis in Young and Middle-aged Men?," published in the British Medical Journal, notes that while some studies have seen a prevalent or strong link between alcohol and psoriasis, some have found no link at all. Further, it is not clear yet whether alcohol may be a potential cause of psoriasis or that the high instance of heavy drinking in psoriasis sufferers occurs as a reaction to their condition.
If you notice that your psoriasis becomes irritated after alcohol, cut it out of your diet for a month to see if your condition improves.
Gluten
Genetic factors that seem to be strong indicators of susceptibility to psoriasis also indicate other disorders. One of these, celiac disease, is a condition which makes the sufferer intolerant to gluten found in wheat, rye or barley. A high percentage--between 0.2 to 4.3% of psoriasis sufferers--also have celiac disease. It is possible that more remain undiagnosed. Gluten, therefore, may have an effect on psoriasis, as it is possible that psoriasis follows the same modes of inflammation as celiac disease. Reducing or eliminating gluten from the diet may be beneficial to some psoriasis suffers.
Fatty Foods
There is an abundance of scientific evidence which posits that there may be a link between a high BMI (body mass index) and psoriasis flares. While it is not certain what the relationship is between a bad diet and psoriasis is, it has been established that it can affect medication. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that patients with a high BMI could increase their positive reaction to the drug cyclosporine if a low-calorie diet was followed.
If you are currently on a high-calorie diet, it is possible that psoriasis medication is not being effectively absorbed. As such, irritation of your psoriasis may be increased in reaction to high fat foods.
References
- British Medical Journal: Alcohol Intake- a Risk Factor for Psoriasis in Young and Middle-aged Men?
- NHS Choices: Beer Studied for Psoriasis Risk
- Celiac.com: Psoriasis, Liver, and the Gastrointestinal Tract
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Weight Loss Improves the Response of Obese Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis to Low-Dose Cyclosporine Therapy- A Randomized, Controlled, Investigator-blinded Clinical Trial
- Diet and Weight Loss as a Treatment for Psoriasis; Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE and Katrina Abuabara, MA; May 2010
