Psoriasis flares up due to the weak immune system. Certain food items, as mentioned above, trigger the inflammation. By bringing change in dietary plan benefits in reducing the flared up symptoms and provides relief.
Psoriasis can worsen your skin conditions, and the symptoms could only get worse if you follow a wrong diet. Check out the foods to avoid with psoriasis and start making your skin soft and supple again.
Psoriasis occurs when the immune system attacks healthy skin cells. Red flared up patches occur mainly on forehead, elbows, nails, or joints. The reason for its trigger could be many. With the earliest visible symptoms, you should consult the doctor to avoid flare-ups.
According to a newly reported study, people with severe psoriasis had a 50% increased risk of death compared with people without inflammatory skin disease, As many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis(1), according to the National Institutes of Health. There are many factors like weather change, stress, or particular foods that trigger psoriasis.
Foods to Avoid With Psoriasis
1. Alcohol
Avoid alcohol consumption if diagnosed with psoriasis disease. Due to its disruptive effects, it opens up blood vessels, which further activates white blood cells and T cells, which trigger the symptoms. Further, regular or moderate consumption of alcohol may worsen the symptoms.
Limit the quantity to a glass of red or white wine.
[ Read: Diet for Psoriasis ]
2. Dairy Products
A polyunsaturated fatty acid called arachidonic acid is present in dairy products. As per a few types of research, arachidonic acid may play a role in creating psoriatic lesions. Thus, whole milk, full-fat cheeses, eggs should be cut down from the diet.
You can instead go for low-fat dairy products. Including soy milk in a daily diet is a better option.
3. Gluten
If you are gluten sensitive, avoiding gluten from the diet could benefit you. You should include nuts and healthy seeds in the diet to maintain body energy. Avoid bread, pasta, pizza, cakes all contain gluten. Proteins found in few grains like wheat, rye, barley, malt are a good option. It is essential to consult the doctor before eliminating gluten from the diet.
4. Red Meat
Red meat(2) contains polyunsaturated fat called arachidonic acid. It is the biggest culprit in triggering the psoriasis symptoms. In red meat category beef and other processed foods like sausages, the beacon is considered bad for psoriasis.
Opt for fish, chicken, tofu, or beans. Fatty fish contains anti-inflammatory omega 3, which is good for the body.
[ Read: Supplements for Psoriasis ]
5. Refined Sugar
Refined or processed sugar is high in calories and could lead to body weight. Excess intake of sugar is dangerous for bodyweight as it increases inflammation, and increased body weight aggravates psoriasis. Read food labels to ensure the quantity of sugar added in the food item. Also, consume natural sugar from seasonal fruits. Berries, cherries are also a good option as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Tomatoes
The leading cause of flaring up psoriasis is consuming nightshade plants as they contain solanine. It affects the human digestive system and may cause inflammation. Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers all come under the category of nightshade plants.
Vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leafy plants are full of antioxidants. It helps in decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation.
7. Fried Foods
Obese or overweight people have chances of getting psoriasis. Sometimes fat cells also make proteins that can worsen the condition. So it is essential to avoid fried food from the diet and include healthier options like fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts to keep the disease in control.
[ Read: Treat Psoriasis with Probiotics ]
8. Junk Foods
Junk food is full of saturated and trans fats, refined sugar, and starches, which makes you overweight, upsets metabolism, or creates chronic illness. Chronic illness further leads to triggered inflammations in the body, which is not suitable for psoriasis.
It is better to go for healthier homemade food, which helps in maintaining a healthy weight.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the body’s skin. There are many factors involved in triggering or flaring up the psoriasis condition, but diet is one of the main factors.
If not treated timely, it can become severe.
Removing a few food items from the diet not only helps in controlling psoriasis, eczema, or psoriasis arthritis condition but is also beneficial in weight loss and in improving skin conditions. Food to avoid with psoriasis also includes different diet plans. However, follow this only after a consultation with your physician.
[ Read: Bad Healthy Foods ]
FAQs
1. Is plenty of water good for Psoriasis Condition?
Water is essential for the body as it keeps it hydrated. Consuming plenty of water throughout the day improves skin texture, glow, and feel. It also helps in flushing the toxins from the body.
2. Is a Diet Plan Safe for Psoriasis Condition?
Psoriasis is a severe condition and should not be tackled lightly. You can choose from a wide range of diet plans – Keto diet, gluten-free or vegan, and many other options. However, the diet plan should only be followed after the proper consultation.
