Foods To Eat With Psoriasis
Whether dietary modifications could help psoriasis patients’ conditions is one of the things they ask most frequently. Patients often look for information about how to change their diet and way of life to get rid of their skin lesions because psoriasis has a big effect on their quality of life.
Many people are willing to change their diet as a way to treat their illness because it is a simple and self-empowering method. Even though nutrition may be thought of as a logical and effective way to treat psoriasis, I’ve discovered that there are no national or international standards that say what a patient with this condition should eat.
As far as I know, a 2015 study was the first to look at how eating a Mediterranean diet affects psoriasis. Particularly, when compared to the control group, many psoriatic patients consumed more red meat, and less fruit and vegetables, fish, nuts, and extra-virgin olive oil. An increasing number of people are learning through research that the Mediterranean diet can help prevent chronic diseases like high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. We also know through research that psoriasis can be linked to both metabolic syndrome and heart disease, and that it makes sense for psoriatic patients to change their diet to avoid getting these disease
A 2015 study was likely one of the first to evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the severity of psoriasis, with an emphasis on a high consumption of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). The association between the Mediterranean Diet and improvement to psoriasis severity suggests the beneficial effects of nutritional interventions promoting a Mediterranean food pattern rich in fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, fish, chicken and lamb, and extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), as an inexpensive and safe supportive treatment for those with psoriatic.
The study concludes that “nutritionists should play a central role in the evaluation and management of psoriatic patients.”
What foods to eat with psoriasis, that is the question that many psoriasis patients have asked me over the years, what should I eat and what should I avoid to eat when I have psoriasis? You will find the diet and nutrition section of The Psoriasis Program to be the most comprehensive ever written when it comes to psoriasis, over two hundred pages.
Stay on the Psoriasis Diet strictly for the first two to three weeks especially, longer if you are getting significant benefit. You will be able to read a great deal more about how to eat, select and prepare foods, as well as what to eat and what avoid in the first and introductory book in the Psoriasis Program series, entitled The Psoriasis Program, and the second book entitled The Psoriasis Diet, a very comprehensive book about everything you will want to know about food and psoriasis.
Key foods to incorporate into your diet when you have psoriasis are the anti inflammatory and antioxidant rich foods.
The Mediterranean Diet is a dietary pattern that is based on the traditional foods that are consumed in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. It is characterized by an emphasis on plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, as well as healthy fats, such as olive oil. The diet also includes moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and dairy products, and is generally low in red meat and processed foods. The Mediterranean Diet is often recommended for its potential health benefits, which may include a reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Here is an outline of the Psoriasis Diet:
Here is just a quick bullet point list of some of your better foods choices:
Include Liberal Amounts Of Fresh, Unprocessed And Nutritious Food
From a wide variety of sources. Shop at Farmer’s Markets and produce store rather than buying all your food from the supermarket. Free-range eggs are OK, unless you are allergic to them.
Anti Inflammatory Foods
These foods are generally the brightly colored vegetables, but can also be various nuts, seeds and protein sources like salmon or fish high in omega-3 essential fatty acids. You can read more about anti inflammatory foods here.
Anti Oxidant Rich Foods
Foods high in anti oxidants reduce the body’s ability to be affected by free radicals, or by-products of oxidative stress. You can read a lot more about anti oxidant foods and what oxidative stress is on the relevant links.
Rotate Different Foods if possible.
Try not to eat the same foods every day, that way you won’t be challenging your immune system continually. Many psoriasis patients have foods allergies and food intolerances.
Feature Leafy-Green Vegetables
Eat especially spinach, celery, broccoli, lettuce, see the list of preferred vegetables I have described in much more detail in The Psoriasis Program.
Fermented And Cultured Foods
Eat foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, tempeh or Kim chi.
Sea Vegetables
Try to incorporate some sea vegetables (seaweeds) into your diet.