Psoriasis, which is a disease characterized as excess acceleration of new cell growth, causes inflammation, itchiness or lesions on the skin. Although the exact cause of psoriasis is currently unknown, a scientific link between food and psoriasis has not been found. However, if you suffer from psoriasis symptoms, you may discover that certain foods irritate your condition.
Gluten
Genetic factors that seem to cause psoriasis may also cause other ailments. One of these, celiac disease, occurs when the affected person develops an intolerance to gluten found in barley, wheat or rye. In the book "Diet and Weight Loss as Treatment for Psoriasis," author Joel Gelfand says up to 4.3% of psoriasis patients also have celiac disease, although it is possible more cases remain undiagnosed. Therefore, gluten may cause psoriasis symptoms, as it is possible psoriasis emulates the same inflammation modes as celiac disease. Therefore, eliminating or reducing gluten from your dietary regimen may prove beneficial to your skin condition.
Alcoholic Beverages
Although a link has not been scientifically proven, there have been several studies on psoriasis and alcohol intake. According to "British Medical Journal," although some studies have revealed a strong or prevalent connection between psoriasis and alcohol, it is not clear whether psoriasis sufferers develop symptoms as a reaction to heavy drinking or if alcohol is the actual cause. Monitor your condition to determine if your psoriasis becomes worse after consuming alcohol. Exclude it from your diet for a month to determine if your condition improves.
Fatty Food
There is substantial scientific evidence that suggests a link between psoriasis flares and body mass index. While experts have not identified an exact cause about the relationship between psoriasis and unhealthy diets, it has been established that bad diets can affect medication. In a study conducted by the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," researchers concluded that patients who have high body mass indices and use the drug cyclosporine could potentially increase their positive reaction to the medication by following a low-calorie diet. If you are regularly consuming a high-calorie diet, there is a possibility that your psoriasis medication is not being fully absorbed. As a result, your psoriasis and other associated symptoms may increase because of high fat foods.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Psoriasis
- NHS Choices: Beer Studied for Psoriasis Risk Celiac.com: Psoriasis, Liver, and the Gastrointestinal Tract
- British Medical Journal: Alcohol Intake- a Risk Factor for Psoriasis in Young and Middle-aged Men?
- Diet and Weight Loss as Treatment for Psoriasis; Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE; 2010
- 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
