According to MayoClinic.com, psoriasis is a chronic condition that affects the skin cells. During a psoriasis outbreak, skin cells build up on the skin, developing thick scales. The scales, combined with red patches, can cover a small area of skin or the entire body. While there is no official diet for psoriasis, eating healthfully can increase your chances of managing the symptoms of psoriasis. It's also important to avoid and foods or beverages that act as triggers for your psoriasis symptoms. Consult with your doctor before attempting to self-heal.
Step 1
Eat healthfully, choosing a diet that is chock-full of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and good fats. Because psoriasis is linked to obesity, it is important to manage your weight in a healthy way with a good diet and exercise. Keep a food diary of everything that you eat daily for several weeks. Note when your psoriasis symptoms are the worst to try to decipher what your food triggers might be. Also note which foods have a healing, calming effect on your skin.
Step 2
Avoid any trigger foods. Alcohol is an especially common trigger food. While scientific evidence is lacking for why this may be the case, it may be because alcohol is an inflammatory substance. Other food and beverage triggers include trans fats --- found in commercial baked goods, cookies and snacks --- red meat, coffee, sugar and processed starches such as breads, pastries and pastas.
Step 3
Add olive oil to your daily diet. According to the book "Ageless Natural Beauty" by Sally Freeman, olive oil is a folk remedy used to treat psoriasis both internally through diet and superficially through skin care. Drizzle olive oil over salads, cooked or raw vegetables and over hummus and pita bread. Use olive oil as a moisturizer before bed to soak in the healing properties of this nourishing oil.
Step 4
Eat at least two to four servings of fish weekly for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega fatty acids may help reduce inflammation in the body and may help to reduce the severity of psoriasis. Choose fish species that are high in omega fatty acids such as salmon, tuna, red snapper and mackerel. However, John Pagano in "Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative" argues that all fish, whether canned or fresh, is beneficial.
