When my husband was diagnosed with Psoriasis as a teenager, he was told categorically by his doctors that nothing in his diet or lifestyle could affect his skin or change his condition. Since then, a great deal has been learned about the effects that food and lifestyle have on the triggers that cause Psoriasis and the flare ups that are often so random and horrible. Despite the fact that there are still no real scientific studies to back this up, the vast amount of testimonials that are available to us online, serves as the best proof that a healthy diet and lifestyle can have an enormous impact on how much control you can have over this debilitating disease.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition, and therefore, it makes sense that an anti-inflammatory diet could help alleviate some of the symptoms that come with it.
For this reason, The National Psoriasis Foundation strongly recommends an anti-inflammatory diet and I’ve listed 5 foods to avoid to if you are suffering from Psoriasis or Eczema, to avoid those horrible flare-ups.
Alcohol
As we already know, alcohol can affect a number of existing health conditions as it opens the blood vessels in the skin. When your blood vessels are dilated, white blood cells – including the T cells that are believed to be responsible for psoriasis – can sneak into the outer layers of your skin more easily.
Junk Foods
The guilty pleasure we all have with junk food and other highly processed foods tend to be high in saturated and trans fats and refined starches and sugars, all of which can promote inflammation.
Red Meat
Red meats contain a polyunsaturated fat called arachidonic acid. This fact is easily converted into inflammatory compounds in the body and can worsen the symptoms of Psoriasis.
Condiments
This is a surprising one, but there is a lot of compelling testimony that the following condiments tend to worsen Psoriasis and Eczema symptoms by increasing inflammation:
- Pimento
- Cinnamon
- Curry Sauce
- Vinegar
- Mayo
- Paprika
- Tabasco Sauce
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Ketchup
Gluten
Some studies have found a positive association between psoriasis and celiac disease. But The British Journal of Dermatology, has reported that some psoriasis patients experience symptom relief after adopting a Gluten free diet despite not having celiac disease.
We’ve also compiled a list of 5 foods to help combat Psoriasis symptoms through diet because they are commonly known to trigger flare ups and create an acid environment in the gut.
