Dietary Recommendations for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a condition that affects the skin. Psoriasis is when the life cycle of skin cells is faster than what it should be which can lead to the build-up of cells on the skin surface. When this happens, dry and itchy patches appear on the surface of the skin. Psoriasis is a chronic condition and it can flare up and also go into remission, but there is no true cure for this skin disease. However, the great news is that there are a number of natural things you can do to help control psoriasis including dietary changes.
Let’s take a look at some of the foods that support psoriasis and then some foods that may cause symptoms to worsen.
Dietary Recommendations for Psoriasis
The Top 4 Foods for Psoriasis
- Berries: Berries contain anti-inflammatory properties which is an important component of getting psoriasis under control since this is an inflammatory condition. Boosting your anti-inflammatory food intake by eating berries can help reduce inflammation and support the appearance of healthy looking skin.
- Healthy Fats: Healthy fats are essential for skin health. If you deprive your body of healthy fats, you may suffer from dry skin. This is the last thing you want when suffering from psoriasis, so be sure to add healthy fats to your diet. Things like avocados, nuts, and seeds are excellent skin-boosting foods.
- Wild-Caught Salmon: Wild-caught salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which play a large role in supporting skin health. Omega-3 fatty acids are also anti-inflammatory, which we now know is important for controlling psoriasis symptoms. Studies have found omega-3 fatty acids to improve redness, thickness, and scaling in those with psoriasis. (Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.) This is great news and a great reason to add fatty fish like wild-caught salmon to your diet a couple of times per week.
- Ginger: Ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties which may hold some benefit for those with psoriasis. You can easily add ginger to your diet by adding it to smoothies, making fresh juice, or adding it to stir fry’s.
Foods & Drinks to Avoid
While there are a number of great anti-inflammatory foods you can add to your diet to reduce the symptoms associated with psoriasis, there are also some inflammatory foods and beverages you will want to steer clear of.
- Alcohol
- Processed Foods
- Sugar
- Dairy
- Gluten
- Artificial food coloring
Other Tips to Manage Psoriasis
In addition to dietary changes, there are some other things you can do to better manage your symptoms. Reducing stress is a big one as stress triggers an inflammatory response in the body which can make your psoriasis symptoms flare up. Try to reduce as much stress as you possibly can by practicing stress management daily. Smoking can also make psoriasis worse, so quitting smoking is essential to getting symptoms under control and also supporting overall health. Keeping your skin hydrated through proper hydration and moisturizing is also very important. However, be sure to stay away from moisturizers that contain fragrance and added toxins. The best way to find a safe moisturizer is to check The Environmental Working Groups list of clean skin care products.
While psoriasis is a chronic condition, making the appropriate dietary changes, reducing stress, and keeping your skin hydrated can significantly help improve symptoms all while supporting overall health as well.
About the Author
Rebecca Jacobs N.C is a Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant, specializing in digestive and women’s health. She doesn’t believe in dieting but rather making lifestyle changes, and believes that healthy eating must be delicious. Rebecca is also a recipe developer and creates healthier alternatives to traditionally unhealthy foods.
