Dietary Interventions for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory skin condition influenced by various risk factors, including family history, diet, obesity, smoking, stress, and alcohol consumption (3). Dietary intervention plays a crucial role in improving skin health and the immune system.
The Mediterranean diet, which is low in refined carbohydrates and high in healthy fats, vegetables, and polyphenols from sources like olive oil, fruits, red wine, and vinegar, has been shown to benefit psoriasis patients. This diet provides essential nutrients such as omega-3s, vitamins E, A, and C, selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese while minimizing the intake of inflammatory dietary compounds. Additionally, since psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, adopting a Mediterranean diet may also help reduce this risk (3).
Another effective approach involves a low-calorie diet with subsequent weight loss, as obesity is linked to chronic systemic inflammation, which is connected to psoriasis. Studies have demonstrated that a low-calorie, high omega-3, and low omega-6 diet can lead to an improvement in psoriasis symptoms (6).
Supplementing with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats, such as DHA and EPA, and focusing on a diet rich in these healthy fats, has been shown to alleviate itchiness, scaliness, and erythema in psoriasis patients (5). Simultaneously, it is essential to avoid inflammatory omega-6 fats found in common sources like sunflower, soybean, and corn oil.
For some individuals, a gluten-free diet might be indicated due to the strong association between celiac disease and psoriasis (1). Higher rates of IgA antigliadin antibodies, a diagnostic biomarker of celiac disease, have been found in psoriasis patients (4).
In a study of 1206 American patients with psoriasis, improvements in skin health were observed after reducing certain foods: alcohol intake (53.8%), gluten (53.4%), and nightshades (52.1%). Conversely, positive outcomes were reported when adding the following: omega-3 fish oil (44.6%), vegetables (42.5%), and supplemental vitamin D (41%) (2).
References:
1. Acharya, P., & Mathur, M. (2020). Association between psoriasis and celiac disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 82(6), 1376–1385. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.039.
2. Afifi, L., Danesh, M. J., Lee, K. M., Beroukhim, K., Farahnik, B., Ahn, R. S., Yan, D., Singh, R. K., Nakamura, M., Koo, J., & Liao, W. (2017). Dietary Behaviors in Psoriasis: Patient-Reported Outcomes from a U.S. National Survey. Dermatology and therapy, 7(2), 227–242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-017-0183-4
3. Barrea, L., Balato, N., Di Somma, C., Macchia, P. E., Napolitano, M., Savanelli, M. C., Esposito, K., Colao, A., & Savastano, S. (2015). Nutrition and psoriasis: is there any association between the severity of the disease and adherence to the Mediterranean diet?. Journal of translational medicine, 13, 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-014-0372-1.
4. Bhatia, B. K., Millsop, J. W., Debbaneh, M., Koo, J., Linos, E., & Liao, W. (2014). Diet and psoriasis, part II: celiac disease and role of a gluten-free diet. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 71(2), 350–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.017
5. Clark, C. C. T., Taghizadeh, M., Nahavandi, M., & Jafarnejad, S. (2019). Efficacy of ω-3 supplementation in patients with psoriasis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Rheumatology, 38(4), 977–988. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s10067-019-04456-x.
6. Guida, B., Napoleone, A., Trio, R., Nastasi, A., Balato, N., Laccetti, R., & Cataldi, M. (2014). Energy-restricted, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids-rich diet improves the clinical response to immuno-modulating drugs in obese patients with plaque-type psoriasis: a randomized control clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition, 33(3), 399–405. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2013.09.010.
