Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, affects around 7.5 million people in the U.S. alone. It arises as an immune system reaction that produces an inflammatory response, which can worsen through various triggers, including dietary factors. Many people are unaware of these nutritional triggers, but understanding and eliminating them from your diet may help control or even alleviate the condition.
Recent surveys have found that dietary changes have improved psoriasis in many patients:
- 27 percent claim their skin condition is completely controlled by diet
- 7 percent say diet dramatically improves their skin
- 4 percent say diet makes some difference
Common psoriasis triggers
It’s essential to recognize what some of the prevalent food triggers are and eliminate them from your diet:
- Sugar: Consuming sugar, which is found in many processed and packaged foods, can lead to an imbalance in gut bacteria known as dysbiosis. With over 70 percent of our immune system in the gut, dysbiosis can result in increased inflammation, making psoriasis worse.
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Alcohol: Alcohol can enhance rapid cell reproduction, increase inflammation, and prevent detoxification in the liver.
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Nightshades: Some people can experience disturbances in their intestinal lining after consuming nightshade vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, paprika, and white potatoes. This disturbance can trigger the immune system as these plants can also produce inflammation-causing alkaloids in some individuals.
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Gluten: Found in wheat, rye, and barley, as well as food items like cereals, bread, crackers, and cakes, gluten contains a protein called gliadin, which can cause increased inflammation through intestinal permeability.
While the above tend to be the predominant triggers, other potential sources include meat, soda, bread, beer, wine, eggs, and spicy foods.
Foods and supplements to improve psoriasis
Many dietary supplements have been reported to help with psoriasis, such as:
- Vitamin D
- Fish oil/omega-3
- Probiotics
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Turmeric capsules
These supplements contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help modulate the immune system and improve the skin.
Incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet is also essential, as they provide a range of compounds like carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals. These provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulating properties.
As 26 percent of people claim that their medications don’t make any difference to their skin, it’s worth exploring diet as a potential psoriasis treatment. Start by eliminating the common triggers, and hopefully, you’ll achieve better control of your condition through diet.
