Diet In Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease that has a significant impact on the quality of life. This disease has a chronic cause and remission and relapse. The disease is immune-mediated, and the triggering factors responsible for activation of this disease can be stress, trauma, any viral or bacterial infection, medication like pain-killers, antihypertensive, and few antibiotics. So, many patients want to know which dietary products can aggravate this disease and which one they can consume to help decrease the activity of the disease.
Here are some best foods that one can happily add to their diet, and there are some that one should avoid strictly as they are believed to increase the disease activity.
Lifestyle :
Alcohol :- Alcohol intake can increase the disease severity upto 5 times; many studies have proved this. So, it is advised strictly to restrict alcohol intake.
Smoking :- Smoking may also be associated with the same psychosocial factors that may drive psoriasis, such as stress, worry, and poor coping skills.
Obesity :- Other than this, obesity can worsen the disease as the fat cells contain certain protein that triggers an inflammatory reaction in psoriasis. Similarly, smoking also increases the disease four-folds, so it is advised to avoid smoking for the people suffering from the disease.
Psoriasis can be associated with Basal Metabolic Syndrome in many cases. A metabolic syndrome is a group of disorders that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Following symptoms will be noticed: visibly large waist circumference, increased blood sugar levels, symptoms of diabetes like increased thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue. To prevent it maintain a healthy lifestyle by performing at least 30 minutes of physical activity and healthy weight by limiting saturated fat and salt in the diet.
Diet: Let’s have a look at food products that can trigger or worsen the condition:
Gluten Diet :- Avoiding pro-inflammatory fat diet and high glycemic diet helps in controlling psoriasis. Wheat protein, gluten, worsen psoriasis which is also implicated in Dermatitis herpetiformis. So, it is advised to the people suffering from psoriasis to avoid grains like wheat, barley, and rye.
Fried Food :- Fried food has a tendency to induce an inflammatory process in the body that can add to psoriasis as the disease itself is an inflammatory disease.
Tomato :- No scientific proof is available, although but it is found that tomato increases the disease flare-up. It has been found that patients who cut tomatoes from their diet improve early without disease flare episode.
Dairy Products :- It has been found that patients who reduce their dairy products intake have better improvement in disease, with medicines. One thing always keep in mind that restricting dairy intake can reduce the calcium level. So, don't forget to add calcium supplements in the diet.
Some food items are known to be good for skin in psoriasis. That one can add in your diet.
Sea Food :- Omega-3-fatty acids are found in high concentration in seafood. Omega-3-fatty acid helps to reduce inflammation, and this is the reason these days it has become a popular recommended diet.
There are three kinds of omega 3 fatty acid: ALA (Alpha- Linolenic Acid), EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Dono Sahexaenoic Acid). ALA is mainly found in vegetables, berries, oil, and nuts, EPA is found in fish and DHA is found in fish and shellfish. In psoriasis, the skin develops red dry, scaly patches due to inflammation, and skin cells turnover rate becomes abnormally rapid. Omega 3 reduces this inflammation, thereby making the disease less irritable.
Consult with your doctor if taking the following oral medications:
Anti-hypertensive, antimalarial, steroids, anticonvulsants, antifungals, anti-depressants, antibiotics as these medicines can induce or exacerbate psoriasis.
There is no scientific proof of there, but many studies scientifically prove rest. That staying away or including certain food in the diet will not be miraculous but will definitely make a difference in the disease.
Keep Healthy Keep Glowing!