Managing Psoriasis with a Plant-Based Diet

From onegreenplanet.org

While there are many factors that can trigger psoriasis, most are out of our control. With that said, there is one factor that is completely in your hands and that’s your diet.
With psoriasis, the immune system overreacts, attacking healthy tissues, and causes chronic inflammation. If you were to take a microscope to the process, you’d see proteins called cytokines, carrying out the inflammatory attack, and triggering inflammation. When it comes to psoriasis, this immune system “battle is waged in the skin and joints.” Unfortunately, researchers have not identified the “substances inside the body that the immune response mistakes for antigen,” yet it is understood that infusing the body with healthy anti-inflammatory agents, while also avoiding specific triggers, may help manage the aggravated inflammatory response.

                                                            Free-Photos/Pixabay

A study published in the Dermatologic Therapy journal in May 2017, found that diet played a large role in affecting psoriasis outbreaks and symptoms, specifically the survey concluded:
[That] “reducing alcohol, gluten, and nightshades – members of the plant family that includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers – led to noticeable improvement in their symptoms. Adding fish oil, vegetables, and vitamin D proved helpful as well. Respondents also named several special diets as particularly effective in alleviating their symptoms: the Pagano diet (based on the principle that psoriasis is caused by a toxic build-up or “leaky gut”), the vegan diet, and the Paleo diet. The gluten-free, low carbohydrate/high protein, Mediterranean and vegetarian diets were also seen to be helpful.” 

Here are a few food groups to include in your psoriasis-fighting diet!

Vegetables and Fruit

If you’re looking for a diet that reduces inflammation, look no further than fruits and veggies! Most of these food products are high in antioxidants — properties that “reduce oxidative stress and prevent the body from producing ‘free radicals,’ or reactive oxygen species,” which may prevent or reduce inflammation. In particular, try to incorporate foods that are high in “vitamins A, E, and C, and the minerals iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and selenium.”
Try out a few of these anti-inflammatory recipes: Cinnamon Turmeric Sweet Potatoes, Raw Fruit Tarts, Chia Blueberry Cups, or this Brazil Nut Milk.

Spices and Herbs

Along with fruits and veggies, many spices and herbs also have antioxidant properties. By infusing your plant-based meals with flavourful herbs and enriching spices, you’ll also be infusing your body with a double dose of inflammation fighting properties. In particular, you’ll want to focus on cloves, peppermint, cinnamon, oregano, thyme, and sage.
Infuse your food with inflammation-fighting herbs and spices with these delicious recipes: Pumpkin Puree Sage Risotto, Cinnamon Roll Cake, Cauliflower Salad with Roasted Almonds and Brazil Nut Parmesan, of this 5-Ingredient Artichoke Oregano Spread.

Healthy Oils

While it’s recommended to consume heart-healthy oils from fatty fish (such as salmon, sardines, and trout), for those practicing a plant-based diet, these oils can be found in plant-based sources such as olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, and safflower oil. Healthy oils are higher in inflammation fighting omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which have been shown to have various other health benefits on top of reducing inflammation.
Try substituting heart-healthy oils in your baking recipes, such as in these coconut oil Two-Bite Chocolate Cookies, this extra-virgin olive oil Chickpea Crust Rainbow Alfredo Pizza, or these flaxseed oil Baked Falafel Balls with Flax and Tahini Sauce.

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/managing-psoriasis-with-a-plant-based-diet/