The exact cause of the skin condition psoriasis remains unknown as of 2010, but an improper immune response that mistakenly attacks skin cells appears to play a role. Like other conditions affected by a malfunctioning immune system, this condition goes through a cycle of flare-ups and remissions. No official psoriasis diet exists and the link between psoriasis and nutrition remains unclear. Making certain dietary changes might, however, benefit some suffering from this condition; consult your doctor before making any.
Alcohol Warning
If you take medications to manage your psoriasis, the Mayo Clinic advises against drinking alcohol. It can decrease the effectiveness of these treatments.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Dermatologist Lawrence E. Gibson, writing for the Mayo Clinic, advises you to maintain a healthy weight if you have psoriasis; it might help improve symptoms and effectiveness of medications. A paper prepared at the University of California-Los Angeles, presented at the American Academy of Dermatology meeting in March 2009, found a correlation between weight and severity of psoriasis, with symptoms worsening as weight increased. People with psoriasis also tended to have a higher body mass index compared to people with other skin conditions.
Achieving a healthy weight means focusing on a diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sugar. Cut back on full-fat dairy and other animal proteins. Focus on lean red meats like sirloin and chicken and turkey without the skin. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats found in fish, nuts and seeds and whole grains like whole wheat, oatmeal and brown rice.
Decreasing Inflammation
Disorders like psoriasis triggered by faulty immune function worsen with increased inflammation in the body. Increase your intake of fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna, walnuts, flaxseed and hemp seed. They contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids that can combat inflammation and might help conditions like psoriasis. The World's Healthiest Foods website cites studies showing that the body absorbs these fats better from foods that naturally contain them than from supplements. Supplementing with fish oil might have benefits, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center, but studies have produced mixed results. Use caution with fish-oil supplements if you take blood-thinning medications, as they can create a compounded effect.
Other inflammatory foods include those high in saturated fat, sugars like cookies, cake, candy and soda and white flour foods.
Avoiding Gluten
The UMMC explains that some people have experienced relief from their psoriasis symptoms by following a gluten-free diet. While many might not have an outright allergy to gluten protein, they might have sensitivity to it. Food sensitivities can also trigger inflammation and improper immune responses. Following a gluten-free diet means avoiding any products made with wheat and close relatives such as barley, bulgur, kamut, rye, spelt, durum, farina, graham flour, triticale and semolina. Choose foods made with gluten-free grains such as rice, corn, soy, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth and polenta. Awareness of gluten allergies and sensitivities has increased and you can now find many foods made without gluten and clearly labeled as such.
Food Allergies
Consider getting tested for food allergies, or experiment with an elimination diet, recommends the UMMC. Food allergies can trigger conditions like psoriasis. If you want to experiment with an elimination diet, do so under the supervision of a qualified health professional to ensure you do it properly. It involves eliminating foods for a certain amount of time and gradually adding them back in on a certain time frame while recording the results.
