From healthcentral.com
A first-of-its-kind study shows that an anti-inflammatory eating pattern may dramatically improve psoriasis symptoms
A new treatment is making waves in the psoriasis community and it doesn't involve drugs. Researchers behind a randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Dermatology found that following a Mediterranean diet rich in extra virgin olive oil, polyphenols, and omega-3 fatty acids led to dramatic improvements in psoriasis severity in just 16 weeks. The findings add weight to growing evidence that nutrition could be a powerful tool in managing the condition and offer people with psoriasis an effective way to take control of their health.
How Diet and Psoriasis Are Connected
Psoriasis happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, triggering chronic inflammation and causing thick, scaly patches called plaques. While this immune misfire isn’t fully understood, its effects go far beyond the skin. Psoriasis is now recognized as a systemic inflammatory condition that can affect the heart, metabolism, and other organs.
People with psoriasis face higher rates of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, all of which raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. That’s why lifestyle approaches that calm inflammation can be especially meaningful.
“Improving blood sugar control may reduce systemic inflammatory signalling that sustains the disease,” says Javier Pérez Bootello, M.D., dermatologist at Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal in Madrid and lead author of the MEDIPSO study. One of the most effective ways to lower inflammation levels? Rethinking what’s on your plate.
Powerful Proof: Food Matters
In the new study, 38 adults with mild to moderate psoriasis who were already using topical medications were split into two groups. One received standard low-fat diet advice. The other completed a 16-week Mediterranean diet program with ongoing nutrition counselling.
The results? Nearly 70% of participants following the Mediterranean diet saw at least a 50% reduction in psoriasis severity, without changing their medications. Almost half saw a 75% reduction. (By comparison, none of the control group reached that level of improvement.)
The more closely someone followed the diet, the better their psoriasis became. Participants also reported less anxiety and insomnia and an overall boost in quality of life.
An added bonus: The Mediterranean diet group improved their A1C, which measures long-term blood sugar and corresponds to heart disease risk. “This dietary pattern simultaneously targets inflammation—the core of psoriasis biology—and addresses an additional major disease burden that affects long-term prognosis,” says Dr. Bootello.
And importantly, people didn’t need to lose weight to benefit. “The Mediterranean diet group showed a significant reduction in A1C despite minimal weight change,” Dr. Bootello says. “This suggests that improved metabolic control, not just weight loss, may be one of the mechanisms through which diet helps improve psoriasis.”
Why Go Med?
While previous research has suggested that very low-calorie diets may help reduce psoriasis (weight loss alone has also been linked to symptom improvements), simply trying to “eat healthier” doesn’t always lead to measurable changes, says Jessica Kaffenberger, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist specializing in psoriasis at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
That’s where the Mediterranean diet comes in. “Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease, and the Mediterranean diet has a well-documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profile,” says Dr. Bootello. Its abundance of extra-virgin olive oil, omega-3s, fibre, polyphenols, and antioxidants helps lower oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, and inflammation—all key pathways involved in psoriasis.
Try It Yourself
The Mediterranean group didn’t count calories or track macros. Instead, they focused on eating more of certain foods and less of others. Key guidelines included:
4+ tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil daily
2+ servings of vegetables (at least one raw) a day
3+ pieces of fruit daily
3+ servings each of legumes, nuts, and fish weekly
Pick poultry and lean meats over red or processed meat
Choose whole grains, not refined ones
Avoid sugary drinks, pastries, and ultra-processed foods
While those guidelines led to symptom improvement in the study, it’s still important to stick with your current psoriasis treatments, says Dr. Kaffenberger. Dietary changes work best alongside prescribed therapies, not instead of them.
Still not sure what to eat? Get guidance if you can. Nutrition counselling helped participants turn the diet into real, sustainable habits. Monthly check-ins with a dietitian made it easier to personalize goals, troubleshoot challenges, and stay motivated.
Bottom Line
Early research suggests the Mediterranean diet may be a powerful add-on to standard psoriasis treatment, helping lower inflammation and support overall health. It’s not a cure, and it doesn’t replace medication, but it may offer a meaningful, everyday tool to help people feel and function better. If you’re considering a dietary shift, work with a dermatologist and a registered dietitian to help tailor a plan that fits your personal health needs and long-term goals.
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