Dietary strategy targeting inflammation as a treatment for psoriasis: Industry professionals share their insights
An anti-inflammatory diet could be a promising approach for individuals seeking to manage the symptoms of psoriasis, a skin condition characterised by inflammation. This dietary approach emphasises the consumption of whole-plant foods and nutrients, aiming to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation that contribute to psoriasis symptoms.
At the heart of an anti-inflammatory diet are oily and cold-water fish, such as salmon and mackerel, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Fruits and vegetables, especially brightly coloured ones like broccoli, carrots, spinach, blueberries, and berries, are also integral. Their antioxidant content, including vitamins A, C, and E, can support the body's efforts to combat inflammation.
Nuts and seeds, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats like those found in avocados, and beans are other essential components of this diet. Spices and herbs like turmeric, cloves, peppermint, cinnamon, oregano, thyme, and sage, known for their anti-inflammatory properties, also find a place in this diet.
Adequate vitamin D intake is crucial for regulating inflammation associated with psoriasis. This can be achieved through fortified foods or sunlight exposure. It's recommended to minimise or avoid processed foods, sugar, red meat, and highly processed products that can exacerbate inflammation.
Making half the plate vegetables at lunch and dinner is a good starting point when embarking on an anti-inflammatory diet. Going slow and choosing a few initial goals, such as drinking more water or making half the plate vegetables, can help ensure changes work for an individual's lifestyle and are sustainable.
While the effectiveness of an anti-inflammatory diet for psoriasis can vary greatly from person to person, research suggests that following a Mediterranean diet may be associated with less severe psoriasis. However, it's important to note that the exact mechanism by which diet affects psoriasis is still not fully understood, and it may involve changes in the gut microbiome and inflammatory pathways.
In addition to an anti-inflammatory diet, a few other diets like gluten-free, vegetarian, Mediterranean, and ketogenic diets may be helpful in reducing psoriasis inflammation, but the research is inconclusive. Managing stress, getting regular exercise, and having a low glycemic, low processed foods diet may also be important to help manage psoriatic disease.
Working with a registered dietitian is recommended to help with the specifics and ensure a balanced, sustainable anti-inflammatory diet. They can provide personalised advice and help with adherence, ensuring successful outcomes when changing to a healthy diet.
[1] Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology [2] British Journal of Dermatology [3] Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology [4] Nutrition Journal [5] American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- An individual seeking healthy skin might consider an anti-inflammatory diet, particularly for managing psoriasis symptoms.
- Predictive studies suggest that adopting a Mediterranean diet could lessen the severity of psoriasis symptoms.
- Whole-plant foods and nutrients are key elements in the fight against psoriasis inflammation, as they contribute to reducing oxidative stress.
- Salmon and mackerel, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, are central to an anti-inflammatory diet due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
- Fruits and vegetables like broccoli, carrots, spinach, blueberries, and berries are vital for their antioxidant content, complementing the body's anti-inflammatory efforts.
- In addition to fish and produce, nuts, seeds, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and spices are essential components of an anti-inflammatory diet.
- For regulating inflammation related to psoriasis, adequate vitamin D intake is vital, which can be sourced from fortified foods or sunlight exposure.
- Consuming processed foods, sugar, red meat, and highly processed products should be minimized or avoided as they can exacerbate inflammation.
- Beginning an anti-inflammatory diet can be easier by setting initial goals, such as making half the plate vegetables at lunch and dinner.
- Other diets like gluten-free, vegetarian, Mediterranean, and ketogenic diets could potentially help reduce psoriasis inflammation, although research needs to be conclusive.
- Adopting a low glycemic, low processed foods diet, managing stress, and staying physically active are all crucial for managing psoriatic disease.
- Working with a registered dietitian provides personalised advice and assistance to create a balanced, sustainable anti-inflammatory diet.
- Research in chronicles of medical-conditions like psoriasis, various nutrition strategies, and chronic diseases can be found in influential scientific journals such as the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, British Journal of Dermatology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nutrition Journal, and American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
- A healthy diet is an essential component in preventing or managing conditions like obesity, diabetes, asthma (COPD), spondylitis, Alzheimer's, ankylosing spondylitis, and depression, all of which are known chronic diseases.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious anti-inflammatory diet, proper skin-care routine, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-wellness practices can lead to an overall improved health-and-wellness state.
