“First and foremost, stop drinking,” says Bagel. Here is why: alcohol opens blood vessels in the skin. When your blood vessels are dilated, white blood cells, including T cells which are supposed to be responsible for psoriasis, can sneak more easily in the external layers of your skin – and you do not need to invite more T cells.
“Your symptoms of psoriasis can worsen even if you are a consumer of light to moderate alcohol,” explains Chelsea Marie Warren, RD, certified wellness coach based in Oregon.
In a survey of more than 1,200 people with psoriasis, more than half of the respondents said they noticed the improvement of their symptoms after having reduced their supply of alcohol, gluten and certain vegetables called “napaces”.
2. Malbus and processed foods
Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition, and junk food and other highly processed foods tend to be rich in saturated and trans fat and refined starchs and sugars, which can all promote inflammation. These include sweet sodas and “energy” drinks, packaged snacks, candy and bakery products, “cereals” of sweet breakfast and many packaged meals.
Another reason to avoid junk food is that they are rich in calories with little nutritional value, and people with psoriasis often have weight problems. “If you have psoriasis, you have an increased risk of heart and vascular diseases,” says Bagel. “Being overweight adds to this risk.”
3. Red meat
Red meats contain polyunsaturated fat called arachidonic acid. “This type of fat can worsen the symptoms of psoriasis because it can easily be converted into inflammatory compounds,” explains Warren. The fat saturated in red meat also triggers inflammation in the body.
You should also avoid sausage, bacon and other transformed meats.
4. Dairy products
Like red meat, dairy products also contain natural inflammatory arachidonic acid and saturated fats. “Cow’s milk is one of the largest culprits,” explains Bagel, as it also contains protein casein, which has been linked to inflammation. The egg yolks are also rich in arachidonic acid; If you are afraid, they could worsen your symptoms, try to nix them with your diet and see if there is an improvement.
5. Night plants
Some people report that the plants of the “family of numbers” – which includes peppers, white potatoes, eggplant and tomatoes – exacerbate their psoriasis. “Some patients believe that if you avoid these vegetables, you decrease your symptoms,” says Bagel. “I’m not sure of that, but I am not opposed to the people who try it.”
6. Gluten
This protein is in certain grains linked to grass, including rye, wheat and barley. Some people with psoriasis can also be sensitive to gluten, and therefore for these people, avoid gluten can improve their symptoms of psoriasis.
Research has shown that there is an increased risk of psoriasis in patients with celiac disease – a condition in which gluten causes an immune reaction that can damage the small intestine – and an increased risk of celiac disease in patients with psoriasis. Until now, studies on gluten -free diets for people with psoriasis have only advantages for those who have signs of gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. Studies are underway and the idea of patients with psoriasis benefiting from a gluten -free diet remains controversial, says Bagel. Even if it works, he adds, it is not an easy diet to follow.
If you suspect that gluten is a trigger for your symptoms, ask your doctor to have celiac disease test.