Natural Diet Recommendations For People With Psoriasis

What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a common non-contagious, multi-factorial, chronic, autoimmune skin disease that affects adults as well as children. Around 7.5 million people in the USA are affected with Psoriasis. It is a recurring condition and thus may affect your emotions, social life and self-esteem. Psoriasis occurs when your immunity gets weak, sends out defective or broken signals that accelerate the growth cycle of the skin cells and replicate at a high speed. The lesions of psoriasis known as psoriatic plaques are chronic, scaly, reddish, and well-defined. They usually affect the extensor surface of the extremities, especially the elbow, knees, trunk, back, and scalp. Even nails are affected and show pitting changes. Psoriasis patients may also show inflammation of joints known as psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic lesions may vary from a small localized patch to those that spread all over the body. It can also be associated with other critical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Thus, addressing psoriasis as early as possible is extremely important.
Causes Of Psoriasis
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, however, there is evidence of genetic predisposition. As psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder, it has an autosomal dominant inheritance. Psoriasis affects people with dry skin more than those with oily or well-moisturized skin.
There are a few aggravation factors that may cause psoriasis. These factors include:
- Stress – Stress may lead to commence psoriasis or aggravate the condition.
- Infections – Psoriasis is common after infections like an infection from streptococcus bacteria.
- Injury– Psoriasis affecting the sight of injury such as sunburns, scratches, etc. This is known as Koebner effect.
- Hormonal Imbalance – Hormonal fluctuations like menstruation, puberty, menopause, pregnancy may cause psoriasis.
- Endocrinal Imbalances.
- Medications – Medicines like NSAIDs, beta-blockers, antimalarials, lithium indomethacin, etc. may cause psoriasis.
Types of Psoriasis
- Psoriasis Vulgaris – The skin lesions of psoriasis Vulgaris are sharp marginated erythematous plaques that are covered with copious silvery-white non-adherent scales. These lesions are usually found on the elbows, scalp, knees and lower back.
- Pustular Psoriasis – It is characterized by white blisters of non-infectious pus that are surrounded by red skin. It is usually prevalent in adults.
- Inverse Psoriasis – It affects areas where there is flexural involvement such as armpits, under the breast, groin, and other skin folds around the genitals and buttocks.
- Erythrodermic Psoriasis – It is an inflammatory type of psoriasis that affects most of the body surfaces. These skin lesions are usually accompanied by severe itching and pain, fever, and increased heart rate. It causes fluid and protein loss that may lead to severe illness.
- Guttate Psoriasis – It is commonly seen in young adults and is characterized by small drop-like spots (gutta means drop). It is devoid of the typical scaling. These lesions are commonly found on the limbs and trunk.
- Sebo psoriasis- It is a type of scalp psoriasis where seborrheic dermatitis is associated with psoriasis.
- Exfoliative Psoriasis – It is a violent type of psoriasis that commonly occurs due to abrupt discontinuation of aggressive coal tar, systemic steroids, or PUVA therapy and administration of antimalarial drugs.
- Palmoplantar Psoriasis – It mainly affects palms and soles.
- Psoriatic Arthropathy – It is characterized by inflammation and stiffness of the joints.
Symptoms Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis lesions mainly appear as pink or red areas of thickened, dry and raised skin. The lesions may vary in appearance, ranging from large thick plaques of raised skin to small flattened bumps, or even red patches, pink mildly dry skin or big dry skin flakes.
Psoriasis affects nails and may show irregular small pits and separation of nail palate at a distal end. It may ultimately lead to nail dystrophy.
Diagnosis Of Psoriasis
Diagnosis of psoriasis is usually done by clinical examination of the skin. A classical sign of psoriasis is that when the plaques are scraped, you can see pinpoint bleeding from the skin. This is known as Auspitz’s sign. Skin biopsy or scraping may be done to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other ailments. A positive biopsy for psoriasis will show the presence of clubbed Rete pegs.
Diet Recommendations for people with Psoriasis
Foods to Eat
- You may eat plenty of green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits.
- Consume lots of vegetables with natural anti-inflammatory properties such as cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach, kale, arugula, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, and grapes.
- You can take mild laxatives to prevent constipation.
- Consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These include salmon, fresh and canned, trout, sardines and cod.
- Vegetable oils also contain natural anti-inflammatory properties and are rich in omega-3 and omega- 6 fatty acids. These oils include Olive oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, and flaxseed oil.
- Vitamin D in the form of sunlight may benefit people with psoriasis. You may opt for foods like eggs, milk, yogurt, swiss cheese and fish oil.
Foods For Moderate Consumption
- Fried and oily food should be taken in moderation
Foods To Avoid
- Avoid meat, chicken or flesh of animals.
- Sesame, fried food and other substances heavy to digest may aggravate psoriasis.
- Avoid excess sugar in the diet as it can worsen inflammation.
- Avoid food that is incompatible with each other such as having milk with fish etc.
- Eliminate trans fats such as hydrogenated oils commonly in packaged and fried foods, as it may aggravate the condition.
- Avoid saturated fats like red meats and full-fat dairy products as they cause mild outbreaks.
- Always try to avoid junk food, and fast food as it contains lots of spices, oil, and chemicals such as sodium bicarbonate, etc.
- People with psoriasis are found to have increased sensitivity to gluten. Thus, it is important to reduce gluten-containing foods such as wheat, barley, rye, malt, pasta, noodles, baked foods, sauces and condiments, and beer.
- Nightshades are observed to be the most common triggers for psoriasis as they cause inflammation. These foods include tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and pepper.
- Alcohol affects the immune system. Thus, drinking alcohol should be avoided.
Home Remedies
- Fresh Bitter guard (Karela) juice with lemon to taken on an empty stomach daily.
- Take a glass of milk with half a teaspoon of turmeric and ghee (clarified butter) as it helps reducing inflammation naturally.
Treatments for Psoriasis
Conventional Treatment for Psoriasis
The treatments that are prescribed for psoriasis include steroid-based creams, salicylic acid, coal-tar ointments, calcipotriene, prescription retinoids, immunosuppressants and light therapy. Conventional medicines do not cure psoriasis, they merely suppress the symptoms for a temporary period. These medicines have serious side-effects such as burning, dryness, irritation, hair fall, even risk of developing skin cancer, and thinning of the skin and thus they need to be administered with caution. Thus, only a strong immune system is the best option for dealing with psoriasis or any other conditions.
Natural Alternatives for Psoriasis
Complementary systems of medicine that consist of Ayurveda, homeopathy, and dietary supplements aim to address the root cause of psoriasis. Psoriasis is caused due to weakening of the immune system. Natural sciences are believed to support the normal structure and function of the skin and help to boost your immune system.
Natural ingredients Rubia Cordifolia and Picrorhiza Kurroa have shown tremendous effects in clinical studies on psoriasis. Some of the clinical studies are mentioned below:
- Rubia cordifolia: A study suggests that Rubia Cordifolia may help to normalize the skin surface by regulating epithelial proliferation. 1
- Picrorhiza Kurroa: Research indicates that Picrorhiza Kurroa may support the structure and function of the skin. 2
Biogetica combines all the above natural ingredients to target psoriasis as a whole and from its root cause so that effects can be long-lasting. All of the Biogetica formulations have traditional use of clinical tested from the natural system of medicine such as Homeopathy, supplements, and Ayurveda and are supported by modern research and trials. If you want to know the natural, safe and effective natural way to address psoriasis or consult a doctor for free, please click on the link https://www.biogetica.com/are-psoriasis-natural-treatment-or-cure-effective#overview
Reference Links:
- Elena Niculet, Diana Sabina Radaschin, Florentina Nastase, Miruna Draganescu, Liliana Baroiu, Magdalena Miulescu, Manuela Arbune, and Alin Laurentiu Tatu. “Influence of phytochemicals in induced psoriasis (Review).” Spandidos Publications; Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine; July 14, 2020; pages- 3421-3424. DOI- https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.9013
- Phalisteen Sultan, Shahid Rasool, and Qazi Parviz Hassan. “Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. A plant of diverse pharmacological potential.” Annals of Phytomedicine; 6(1): 63-67; 2017. DOI- 10.21276/ap.2017.6.1.9