Psoriasis causes dry, rough skin patches on your scalp, groin, back, knees or elbows. As a chronic condition, symptoms may appear episodically throughout your life. While the specific cause remains unknown, emotional stress, sunburn, obesity, dry or cold air, certain medications and excessive alcohol or tobacco use may contribute. Avoiding these potential triggers and consuming an anti-inflammatory diet may help reduce your symptoms. Consult your doctor before changing your diet, and ask her about other available treatments.
Functions of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Because psoriasis represents a type of skin inflammation, foods that reduce inflammation may relieve symptoms such as swelling, redness and pain. Roughly 5 percent of psoriasis sufferers also develop arthritis. In such cases, an anti-inflammatory diet also may help manage joint pain and stiffness. Due to its emphasis on nutritious, filling foods, an anti-inflammatory diet may also help you manage your weight and prevent obesity -- a condition that increases your risk for psoriasis symptoms.
Effectiveness
Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids -- fats emphasized by anti-inflammatory diets --- provide beneficial effects for psoriasis patients, according to a research review published by M. Wolter in the "British Journal of Dermatology" in October 2005. Fish oil, a common source of omega-3s, may reduce itching, scaling and redness linked with the condition, and antioxidant-rich foods may help reduce inflammation by bolstering immune function. If an anti-inflammatory diet helps you reach or maintain a healthy body weight, symptoms worsened or caused by excessive body weight may also improve. Additional research is needed to confirm the benefits of other components of typical anti-inflammatory diets.
Helpful Foods
Foods believed to provide anti-inflammatory effects include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts and seeds. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower magnify the anti-inflammatory and disease-fighting properties of other nutrients, according to Barbara Rowe and Lisa M. Davis, authors of the 2008 book, "Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Health." Powerful anti-inflammatory fruits include berries, citrus fruits, red grapes and kiwi. Whole-grain foods that may improve your symptoms include pearled barley, oatmeal, 100 percent whole-grain breads, brown rice, quinoa and popcorn. Fatty fish and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, albacore tuna, herring, sardines, ground flaxseed, walnuts and canola oil are valuable anti-inflammatory agents.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods may increase inflammation, particularly when consumed in excess. These include foods high in saturated fat, such as processed and fatty red meats, dark-meat poultry, fried foods, high-fat dairy products and tropical oils. Rowe and Davis recommend limiting saturated fat to less than 10 percent of your diet to reduce inflammation Limiting refined carbohydrate sources, such as white bread, instant rice, pretzels and sugary sweets, and keeping your alcohol and caffeine intake to modest levels may also help.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Psoriasis
- "Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Health: Hundreds of Ways to Incorporate Omega-3 Rich Foods into Your Diet to Fight Arthritis, Cancer, Heart Disease, and More"; Barbara Rowe and Lisa M Davis; 2008
- "British Journal of Dermatology"; Diet and Psoriasis: Experimental Data and Clinical Evidence; M. Wolters; Oct. 2005
