Psoriasis Diet
Psoriasis Diet - A Natural Way to Control the Symptoms of Psoriasis
psoriasis diet - oranges for vitamin C
The best dietary advice for patients suffering from psoriasis is to eat a sensible psoriasis diet which is low in sweets and fat and high in fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet will not cure psoriasis, but it strengthens the immune system and provides relief from its symptoms.
So, what is Psoriasis? Psoriasis is skin condition characterized by red patches everywhere in the body and occurs in people having a compromised immune system. Is Psoriasis contagious? No it isn’t. Psoriasis can cause embarrassment, discomfort and pain to its sufferers. Although the exact origin of psoriasis is not fully known, experts believe that genetics, alcohol, smoking, stress, medications, and diet to be the possible triggers for psoriasis.
While many sufferers of psoriasis have speculated that certain food items may be contributing to their outbreak, many others acknowledge the role of diet in the progression of the disease. Although various research studies suggest that there is no connection between diet and psoriasis , it is a fact that, the diet we consume has a big impact on the overall health of the human body. Since psoriasis is lined with the immune system in the body, those foods that strengthen the immune system are considered to manage psoriasis better.
A psoriasis diet starts with a very simple, balanced diet and it should essentially keep the person well hydrated by including plenty of water, eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, avoiding junk, refined foods, gluten rich foods, red meat, dairy products, and alcohol.
Healthy Diet:
Eating a healthy and well balanced diet containing beta carotene, folate and vitamin C can benefit the overall health of the individual because psoriasis patients are at a higher risk of developing heart problems and diabetes. Also, most psoriasis patient will have problems of overweight and including a healthy diet may allow you to manage your weight. A healthy diet includes eating lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Beta Carotene:
Beta carotene is found in orange colored fruits and vegetables like carrots, papaya, sweet potato and pumpkins. Beta carotene, a form of vitamin A is known to strengthen the body’s immune system. Since psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by rapid cell degeneration, beta carotene is very beneficial in slowing down the skin cell’s aging process.
Vitamin C and Folate:
Including adequate amounts of folate and vitamin C in the diet can prevent psoriasis. Good sources of folate include green leafy vegetables, bananas, lemons and fortified cereals. Citrus fruits such as lemon, grapes and oranges are rich in Vitamin C. Other fruits that have a high content of vitamin C include pineapple, straw berries, blueberries and kiwi. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and it has a direct effect on body’s immune system.
Anti-inflammatory Diet:
An anti-inflammatory diet plays an important role in regulating the skin condition. Since inflammation plays a major role in psoriasis, reducing those foods that causes inflammation in the body may help improve the condition.
Anti-inflammatory diets minimizes the severity of flare-ups thereby reducing the symptoms of psoriasis.
For people suffering from scalp psoriasis, a diet that is low in protein may be beneficial. Excess protein may put a strain on the kidneys and other organs that cleanse the blood. A low protein diet may help to balance the body’s metabolism and restore all the necessary amino acids. This keeps the skin young, healthy and glowing.
Protein sources include lean meat, poultry without skin, and low-fat dairy products; full-fat dairy products and red meats should be eliminated as they can cause inflammation.
Avoid saturated and trans-fats, which are normally found in fried foods and baked goods, refined pastas and rice and concentrate on whole-grain pastas, breads, rice and cereals.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids:
Omega 3 fatty acids should be included in the diet which can reduce the psoriasis symptoms like skin lesions. It also helps to reduce the inflammatory substances in the body. Good sources of omega 3 fatty acids include anchovies, salmon, halibut and trout. Various plant omega 3 fatty acids sources include flax seeds, wheat germ or walnuts.
Gluten Free Diet:
Research studies indicate that people suffering from psoriasis have higher levels of anti-gliadin antibodies in their blood, which creates sensitivity to gluten. Gluten is a protein normally found in wheat, rye and barley which should be avoided by patients suffering from psoriasis.
Avoid Certain Food Triggers:
Spicy Foods:
Spicy foods should be avoided this type of food causes psoriasis to become unstable.
Sea foods:
Sea foods can cause allergy to the body thereby stimulates the skin and expand the inflamed areas. In addition, the urine present in most sea foods can aggravate arthritic psoriasis.
Alcohol:
Alcohol consumption should be limited and drinking alcohol may enhance the risk of developing psoriasis. Also there is an increase in the severity of the conditions and decrease in the length of time between outbreaks of psoriasis. In addition the success rate of medications that is used to treat psoriasis will reduce considerably by alcohol.
Fried Foods
Fried and baked foods should be avoided by psoriasis sufferers. This is because; the nutrients in these foods will be destroyed by high temperature cooking process, and produce harmful and toxic substances. Besides, frying makes food rich in fat content and causes indigestion, and obesity.
A Psoriasis Diet - Closing Thoughts
Following a strict psoriasis diet is very important to control the psoriasis. In addition, one has to drink plenty of water to keep the skin well hydrated, which makes it less prone to irritation. Apart from this, constant monitoring of food intake can also help to improve the body’s immune system, which is essential to prevent psoriasis from worsening. When the body’s immune system is improved, it can automatically protect itself from the harmful elements that trigger psoriasis. So when considering a diet for psoriasis, it is important that it should be helpful in building the body’s immune system.
Natural treatments suing these diets can be very helpful in controlling the skin conditions caused by psoriasis. Eating a healthy psoriasis diet is a indeed a wise preventive home remedy for psoriasis and it will be possible to control the symptoms of psoriasis and live a healthier and better tomorrow.
Tips on the psoriasis diet and eating healthy from registered dietitian and nutritionist; Rachael Richardson
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