A healthy diet to treat psoriasis

From thefuss.co.uk

Scientists say there is little evidence to support the notion that diet can have a major impact on psoriasis, but many people with the disease swear they’ve found relief by changing what they eat.
This Psoriasis Awareness Month we speak to a number of experts to see what they think and whether they believe changing your diet can help alleviate psoriasis.
According to the Psoriasis Association, up to 1.8 million people in the UK are affected by psoriasis.
The condition can occur anywhere on the body and causes the skin to become flaky and itchy. There is no cure for psoriasis but there are many ways it can be managed on a daily basis.

Foods to avoid if you have psoriasis

Sugar

It’s the hidden sugars in our food we need to watch out for. Always check the sugar content in sauces, bread, cereals, soups, yoghurts, dressings and most ‘low fat’ foods. Lily Soutter, Nutritionist at www.lilysoutternutrition.com explains why, “Sugar not only contributes to hormonal imbalances, which can lead to spotty and greasy skin but it can also play a role in inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea”.

Junk food

We all know fast foods are bad for us. But why does it flare up Psoriasis? Junk foods very often come with ingredients that may aggravate skin problems and worsen inflammation – including additives, sugar, and excess salt. They are also usually high in quickly digested and absorbed carbohydrates (think white bread, pastries, and crisps), which can upset the balance of natural flora in our gut as well as blood sugar and hormone balance, all of which can tie in with skin problems,” explains Nutritionist Cassandra Barns.
There is no scientific evidence that any special psoriasis diet is beneficial, says Paul Yamauchi, MD, of the Dermatology Institute and Skin Care Centre in Santa Monica, California. However, as long as you eat a healthy diet, he adds, there’s no harm in exploring whether avoiding some foods and eating others might help you manage psoriasis flares and reduce inflammation.

High-fat dairy

Psoriasis is a disease of inflammation, so it makes sense that an anti-inflammatory diet might help reduce symptoms. One food group commonly associated with inflammation is high-fat dairy. Try cutting out whole milk and full-fat cheeses, and opt for lower-fat versions instead. Even if it doesn’t improve your psoriasis, low-fat dairy is better for your heart, Yamauchi says.

Alcohol

“A lot of my patients tell me if they consume too much alcohol, it makes their psoriasis worse,” Yamauchi says. While no scientific studies prove the link, you may want to explore whether limiting alcohol consumption reduces flare-ups for you. The theory is that alcohol dilates the blood vessels, giving white blood cells and other substances in the blood easier access to the skin, thus promoting the inflammatory response that triggers psoriasis flares. Alcohol also dehydrates your body and can dry the skin, worsening psoriasis symptoms.

Foods to eat if you have psoriasis

Omega 3

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish oil can be very helpful in reducing it. However, not all fatty acids are the same –  Omega 6 (vegetable oils) might actually increase inflammation.  “Unfortunately, many people have much higher levels of omega 6 than omega 3 in their body, often due to the use of vegetable oils in cooking and the lack of oily fish consumption. “To correct this balance, cut out all vegetable oils and margarine (as well as processed food) and replace it with healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, butter or ghee. Aim to eat oily fish such as sardines, salmon or mackerel at least three times a week,” recommends Dr. Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading Nutritionist and author of Natural Alternatives of Sugar (www.marilynglenville.com).
Make sure you include in your daily menu avocados, smoked salmon, nuts, and seeds. Lily Soutter, Nutritionist at www.lilysoutternutrition.com says: “They not only have great hormone balancing effects, which can help prevent spots but also are potent anti-inflammatories, which can reduce symptoms of eczema and psoriasis”.

Tumeric

‘Curcumin (a component of turmeric) is a strong anti-inflammatory agent, helpful when treating chronic conditions, such as psoriasis or arthritis.’ says Barns.

Vitamin A

“Fruits and vegetables that provide vitamin A help promote healthy skin. Good sources of vitamin A are cantaloupe, carrots, mango, tomatoes, and watermelon,” Yamauchi says.

Herbs and herbal supplements

Some people with psoriasis find their skin condition responds to herbs used to enhance the body’s immune system and reduce inflammation. While no scientific evidence supports the use of herbs or herbal supplements, some psoriasis patients report success with evening primrose oil, milk thistle, and oregano oil.

Chamomile tea

Robin Aspinall, Managing Director of 100% natural first aid spray NatraSan, says: “A cup of chamomile tea can not only help you to relax but the topical anti-inflammatory properties of this daisy-like flower can help to relieve psoriasis flare-ups. Add one heaped teaspoon of chamomile flowers to one cup of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes then strain out the flowers. Soak a clean cloth in the liquid and apply to the affected area.”

Psoriasis and stress

Psoriasis is more than a physical condition; it can also lead severe to psychological effects. Although every sufferer has different triggers for their psoriasis, symptoms often worsen during times of stress and anxiety. Learning ways to deal with stresses and annoyances can help. Some people find that exercise can help to relax them and therefore improve symptoms.
“When irritated skin flares up in visible places, people tend to worry about their appearance. That can affect personal and work life, causing anxiety and tension” explains Barns.
How to reduce your stress levels? Dr. Glenville suggests to eat yourself happy: “We need to make sure that our levels of serotonin (the ‘feel good’ hormone) remain high. A simple change of diet can work wonders. The body makes serotonin from tryptophan, which occurs naturally in foods such as dairy products, fish, bananas, dried dates, soy, almonds, and peanuts. The manufacture of serotonin depends on how much tryptophan is transported into your brain. Combining the foods mentioned above with unrefined carbohydrates, such as brown rice, wholemeal bread or oats helps the body to release insulin to help tryptophan uptake to the brain. A good example would be to kick start your day with eggs and wholemeal toast for breakfast.”

Vitamin D and Psoriasis

Vitamin D, often called the ‘sunshine vitamin’, has an enormous influence on our body. Not only is it vital for bone health as well as obesity and diabetes, but it can also help with psoriasis. “Vitamin D can change the way cells grow. As those who suffer from Psoriasis tend to produce more skin cells, it can slow this process down and cause the plaques to become less scaly and thinner,” says Shona Wilkinson, Nutritionist at SuperfoodUK.com the online shopping destination for health & wellbeing.
So what can we do? “It can be difficult to get enough sunlight to stimulate vitamin D synthesis in this country – even in the summer! The ideal first step is to get your vitamin D level tested to see how much yours needs to increase, if at all. In most cases, your doctor will do this for you. If you’re deficient (under 75 nmol/L) or ‘insufficient’ (under 100 nmol/L) then taking a supplement can be the best way to get your level up.”

How to treat psoriasis

You could also try Dermalex Psoriasis (£29.99 for 150g). Dermalex reduces psoriasis symptoms, moisturises the skin and helps prevent new flare-ups. It normalises skin cell production and activates the skin’s own repair mechanism, uniquely repairing the skin barrier and it doesn’t contain perfumes or parabens.
Keeping the skin moist and nourished from the outside is crucial, as it can bring instant relief from itchiness and discomfort. However, emollient creams that are often recommended by doctors and pharmacists, rarely provide long-term relief. What’s more, they can even irritate already inflamed skin, as very often they contain chemicals, such as chlorocresol and Cetearyl alcohol. Instead, try a natural cream or balm, such as What Skin Needs Skin Balm (£13.99), which contains a blend of natural ingredients including Plantolin, an extract from an Australian indigenous plant. This powerful ingredient along with Aloe Vera extract and tea tree essential oil can help to manage skin conditions by reducing inflammation and oxidative damage. The formula as a whole is designed to reduce irritation, soothe and repair dry and damaged skin.

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