As a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, I strongly believe that what you eat has a big impact on your health. Can psoriasis be controlled through diet? What foods should you eat and which ones should you avoid? Self-care for psoriasis can be a long process. But you can do a lot on your own to take care of your psoriasis naturally. In fact, diet is a huge component of success.
Which foods improve psoriasis?
There is little scientific research on psoriasis and diet. However, specific dietary change can be responsible for clearing or worsening the symptoms. There are some guidelines to follow for a healthy diet that can help with psoriasis.
As a general rule, your diet should be rich in:
- Antioxidants and bioflavonoids
- Foods that reduce inflammation
- Foods that heal the bowels, liver and the glands
What does it mean?
- Eat a diet that is composed of plenty of vegetables, fibre, healthy whole grains and good sources of proteins.
- Increase your intake of essential fatty acids (fish, flaxseed, evening primrose oil or black current oil) because they contain ingredients that interfere with the production and storage of arachidonic acid.
- Drinks lots of water to cleanse your body (as well as herbal teas). At least 2 litres a day. Drink green smoothies in the morning to include plenty of nutrients and fibre in your diet. Green smoothies are very beneficial for psoriasis.
Does Diet Affect Psoriasis? Advice from a Holistic Nutritionist
Which Foods Aggravate Psoriasis?
Reducing the intake of certain items, such as caffeine, alcohol, sugar, white flour, gluten and dairy products can help improve symptoms. Some researchers believe that a very small subgroup of people with psoriasis may also have gluten intolerance. It’s recommended to consult a doctor and get the appropriate tests before starting a gluten-free diet.
There’s a famous book written by chiropractor John Pagano describing a potential cure based on dietary and lifestyle practices. Pagano believes that psoriasis stems from damage to the intestinal tract from eating the wrong foods, leading to irritation of the intestinal lining.
His book “Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative“
outlines a healthy diet and lifestyle and includes case histories, photos, and recipes.
Have you heard of nightshades (like tomatoes, potatoes or eggplants) and how they can trigger psoriasis? Listen to this interview with Dr. Pagano and learn about the foods that you should try to avoid:
Are Supplements necessary?
Studies have not shown a direct link between vitamins and dietary supplements and psoriasis. Yet many patients find that including vitamins and supplements in their diet helps their skin clear and may ease joint pain from psoriatic arthritis.
Here are some vitamins and supplements that people report help them:
WHICH VITAMINS FOR PSORIASIS?
- Vitamin D3 to prevent psoriatic cells from growing.
- Vitamin A to accelerate the healing process.
- Vitamin B complex (especially vitamin B1, B5, B6, B12, and folic acid) to help deal with stress.
- Vitamin C with bioflanoids to strengthen the immune system.
- Vitamin E, which is a strong antioxidant.
WHICH MINERALS?
- Magnesium, especially if stress is a trigger
- Zinc plus copper to help heal the skin
WHICH SUPPLEMENTS?
- Essential fatty acids and Omega 7 to help reduce inflammation.
- Probiotics to balance the flora and strengthen the immune system.
- Digestive enzymes to improve digestion.
- Lecithin to help with the fats and protects the cells.
Conclusion
Psoriasis can be controlled through diet. However, It’s important to mention that a proper diet is different for everyone. Keep in mind that the addition or elimination of one substance from the diet can be the remedy for one person and the culprit for another. I recommend that you contact me for a personalized nutritional plan that is specific for psoriasis.
Other components have to be taken into account to successfully manage psoriasis. The main psoriasis triggers are stress, injury to skin, medication, diet, environmental factors and allergies. Be aware that cold and humid weather makes symptoms get worse.
Do you suffer from psoriasis and don’t know how to manage it? Check out my post What Works Best for Psoriasis to learn how to deal with psoriasis and treat it naturally. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below and let us know if there is a natural remedy that works well for you!
Can nutrition help with psoriasis?
- Disclaimer
J. Beck
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on Optiderma.com is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified practitioner.
If you are allergic to the foods, herbs, essential oils, any remedies listed here, you must of course avoid them. For example, consuming food that you’re sensitive to will only cause more (not reduce!) inflammation.
Please consult a practitioner (such as Naturopath, Homeopath, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Dermatologist, ...) to follow the most appropriate treatment to heal your skin. All legal mentions »
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