Psoriasis, often confused with eczema, is a chronic skin condition that is characterized by flaky, itchy, red patches with a silvery hue on the skin. Dealing with skin flare-ups due to psoriasis is very uncomfortable. Many people suffering from this condition have associated some of the things they eat to trigger it. While there is no scientific proof that one’s diet has an effect on psoriasis, there are foods that you should avoid, and you might see a big difference. Furthermore, ditching junk food and focusing on healthy diets will boost your overall health significantly. That said, read on to find out more about foods you should eat and avoid if you have psoriasis.
Foods to avoid
On those lazy days that you do not feel like cooking, the first thing that comes to mind is to order take-out. Most often than not, the takeout is junk food. Well, if you are a lover of junk food and suffer from skin flare-ups due to psoriasis, it might just be time to ditch them. Besides junk food being a major cause of obesity and other health issues, some research has shown that it may trigger psoriasis. Other foods that aggravate scalp psoriasis include;
- Dairy products and red meat
Dairy products and red meat contain Arachidonic acid, a polyunsaturated fat that can easily be converted into inflammatory compounds. Foods that fall into this category include egg yolks, cow milk, unprocessed meats such as bacon and sausage.
- Citrus fruits
Some of the citrus fruits are known to cause allergic reactions, and this also includes their derivatives. Allergic reactions may be a cause of psoriasis flaring up. Examples of citrus fruits to avoid include lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and lime.
- Gluten
While eliminating gluten from your diet to help with psoriasis is still a research topic being dealt with, some patients have found it to be effective. Do away with wheat, barley, malt, and triticale. Note that foods such as pancakes, bread, crackers are also to be avoided.
- Nightshades
Nightshade foods can cause inflammation which may result in flare-ups. Plants from the nightshade family contain solanine which is a chemical that has been shown to affect digestion and causes inflammation. Some of the plants that fall into the nightshade family include eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, paprika, pepper, ashwagandha, and tobacco.
- Alcohol
If you have been dealing with recurring flare-ups after enjoying a cold glass of beer, it might be the cause of it. Alcohol is known to have many negative side effects on the immune system. The fact that psoriasis is an autoimmune issue means that eliminating alcohol might be the answer.
After going through the above list, you might be wondering, what is good for psoriasis? Well, there are a lot of food options that you can take to help keep the psoriasis symptoms at bay. Here are some of the foods you should eat.
Foods to eat
Generally, someone with psoriasis is advised to have an inflammatory diet. Some of the anti-inflammatory foods they can eat include;
- Fruits and vegetables
The moment an inflammatory diet is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables have low cholesterol levels and high antioxidants. Some of the fruits you can stock up on include strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, cherries, avocadoes. As for the vegetables, leafy greens such as spinach, kales are a good option. Also, load up some cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
- Fatty Fish
Omega 3 fatty acids are known for their anti-inflammatory effects. Fatty fishes are a good source of omega-3, and they include sardines, trout, cod, salmon, tuna, and herring.
- Heart Healthy oils and fats
Some of the heart-healthy oils that a person with psoriasis can take include coconut oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, and flax seeds oil. Walnuts, peanuts, nut butter, and almonds are also a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Conclusion
In addition to the above-mentioned foods, including dietary supplements such as vitamin B-12, vitamin D, fish oil, aloe vera, primrose oil, can also help put the psoriatic symptoms at bay.
Everyone dealing with psoriasis has different triggers, and for this reason, you need to be very keen on what you eat. If you notice that you get flare-ups after eating a certain food, it means that ditching it might be what you need to do. When you get the flare-ups, discuss with your doctor as this may help you identify other triggers that you might not have been aware of. Being aware of what you eat on a daily basis may help you a great deal in dealing with the condition. Moreover, you will be able to live a healthy lifestyle by incorporating a healthy balanced diet.
