If you suffer from psoriasis and are desperate to find a cure. This might be the read for you. Although there is no cure for psoriasis there are lifestyle choices you can make to lessen the severity of your condition. People suffering from the disease often opt for a special diet for psoriasis, but is there even a connection?
There is no proven connection between psoriasis and a diet that can help curb the condition. But people do report some dietary changes that help them in avoiding frequent inflammations.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin condition marked by excessive (10 times) multiplication of skin cells. These extra skin cells appear in the form of bumpy red patches covered with white scales. They can grow anywhere, but mostly appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Unlike a lot of other skin diseases, psoriasis is not contagious. Psoriasis usually occurs in some parts of your body but in severe cases, it can cover large areas of your body.
Psoriasis is of various types and the symptoms vary from type of type. The most common symptoms of psoriasis are plaque on the skin often covered with white silverish scales, disorders of the toe and fingernails, and a crusty scalp. People with psoriasis can also develop psoriatic arthritis, which is marked by pain and swelling in the joints.
Although the main cause of psoriasis is yet to be discovered, it is considered to depend on a number of factors. The known cause is a faulty immune system which causes inflammation and triggers new cell formation. Psoriasis can be genetic but it can skip generations too.
The only way to take of your skin is to look for triggers and to avoid them. The common triggers are scars, surgery, stress, infections, and certain medications. If the diet is a trigger or not is yet to be determined.
Psioris and Its Possible Association With Different Diets
Although there is no proven association of psoriasis with a specific diet, a healthy diet that can help in reducing inflammation can help a bundle. Psoriasis patients usually link the following with their flareups
Inflammation Fighting Foods
As psoriasis is an inflammatory disease it is only logical that inflammation-fighting foods will help in avoiding a flare-up. But there is not sufficient evidence to quote it as a fact.
Some patients report that eating excessive fruits and vegetables, especially greens help them in keeping flareups at bay.
Fish and fish oil also have inflammation-fighting properties, so according to some research, this helps too.
Keep in mind that all antioxidant foods are healthy and pose no harm. So, there is no harm in incorporating more of these into your diet.
It is advised to go for a green smoothie daily. It will not only help you in avoiding flare-ups but will provide extra health benefits too.
Gluten-Free Diet
People with psoriasis are often desperate to find a cure for their condition. This leads them to take steps as difficult as going on a gluten-free diet. But does it even help?
Almost 25% of psoriasis patients report an improvement in their condition after going on a gluten-free diet. But this applies to people suffering from celiac disease or nonceliac gluten sensitivity.
As psoriasis is an autoimmune disease and autoimmune diseases often come with other such diseases, psoriasis patients can suffer from celiac disease or celiac insensitivity. Going gluten-free is the only option for such people. Gluten is a protein found in cereals like wheat, rye, and barley.
People with gluten intolerance or sensitivity perceive gluten as a harmful object and their immune system starts fighting against it. This causes inflammation, which results in a psoriasis flare-up.
Keep in mind that a gluten-free diet will only help those, having a gluten intolerance. It is not wise to go on a gluten-free diet without getting yourself tested for gluten sensitivity.
It is important to note that gluten is present in almost all cereal that we commonly consume and cutting these out will only limit our healthy food options. Also, these cereals improve your heart health and people with psoriasis have a higher risk of heart disease. So if you are not sensitive to gluten, making such a drastic dietary change will do you no good.
Weight Loss Diet
No matter what disease you are suffering from, excessive weight can aggravate it. The same goes with psoriasis, losing weight will help you in lowering inflammation and preventing flare-ups. Fat cells make a protein that can trigger an inflammatory response, resulting in a flareup. So if you are overweight or obese, or you simply have some extra fat in a particular area it is advised to lose weight and fat. This will most definitely improve your skin health.
Dr. Pagano Diet
It is characterized by excessive consumption of fruits and vegetables, limited intake of cereals, seafood, meat and eggs and completely avoiding nightshade vegetables and red meat. Dr. Pagano’s diet has shown the best results in patients with psoriasis. According to a study, almost 1200 people reported an improvement in their condition after following this diet.
It is important to know that this too, might not be the ultimate solution for you.
Dr. Pagano’s diet is simply a healthy eating pattern and this can help in building immunity and fighting inflammation. Both of these are important to fight inflammation, making it the best option for people with psoriasis.
The Way To Go
Although there is no confirmed relationship between gut and psoriasis, you can give such diets a shot. The best way to improve your overall health and hopefully psoriasis is to go for a healthy eating pattern. Your diet should contain anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables. It is important to look for specific food allergens and cut those out. For many people, nightshades, citrus fruits, and dairy are the allergen.
The way to go is to consult a dermatologist and a nutritionist to help you in designing a plan of action.
Book an appointment now, to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with top nutritionists in Pakistan through Marham by calling at Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or by online booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app.
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