Skin Health Psoriasis Living With Psoriasis Diet: Everything You Need to Know By Molly Burford Molly Burford LinkedIn Molly Burford is a mental health advocate and wellness book author with almost 10 years of experience in digital media. Learn about our editorial process Published on March 24, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Ashley Baumohl, MPH, RD Medically reviewed by Ashley Baumohl, MPH, RD LinkedIn Ashley Baumohl, MPH, RD, is a surgical dietitian at Lenox Hill Hospital. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Foods to Avoid With Psoriasis Foods to Eat With Psoriasis Additional Triggers to Avoid Frequently Asked Questions Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by lesions and inflamed, scaly patches on the skin. Psoriasis can present anywhere on the body, including the eyelids, ears, lips, hands, feet, nails, and skin folds. There are several types of psoriasis, but the most common is plaque psoriasis, consisting of 85% to 90% of cases. That said, you can experience more than one type of psoriasis. Diet can play a significant role in both treating and aggravating this skin condition. While there is not a lot of recent research on this topic, anti-inflammatory foods can be beneficial for psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases. This article will explain different foods to add to your diet and avoid when you have psoriasis. Claudia Totir / Getty Images Foods to Avoid With Psoriasis Some foods, particularly ones that trigger inflammation, may cause psoriasis flares. These may include red meat, gluten, alcohol, processed foods, and caffeine. Red Meats Red meats include foods such as beef, pork, bacon, sausage, and other processed types. Red meats should be avoided with psoriasis because they are high in saturated fat. There is no research looking at the effects of red meat and psoriasis, but red meat is associated with inflammation. It is also high in a type of polyunsaturated fat called omega-6 fatty acid, a compound that can elicit inflammation in the body. Gluten Research has shown that people with psoriasis have higher rates of celiac disease. While the exact link of this connection is unclear, some researchers found that a gluten-free diet may help those with celiac disease and psoriasis control psoriasis flares. A study saw 73% of its participants experience an improvement in their psoriasis symptoms after adopting a gluten-free diet. However, this study was quite limited due to the small sample size. Alcohol Alcohol should be avoided with psoriasis because it can disrupt the normal functioning of the skin barrier. The skin barrier is the outermost layer of the skin, which acts as a protective shield. As such, any disruption in the skin barrier's ability to protect the skin can worsen conditions such as psoriasis. Processed Foods Highly processed foods such as white bread, white rice, pasta, sweets, and cereal may increase inflammation in the body, which, in turn, may cause psoriasis flare-ups. Caffeine Caffeine, a stimulant found in your morning cup of coffee, should also be avoided if you have psoriasis. This is because some people with psoriasis saw an improvement in their symptoms after they stopped consuming caffeine. This includes sodas, energy drinks, black teas, green teas in addition to coffee. Foods to Eat With Psoriasis There are also foods that are known to reduce inflammation in the body and control psoriasis flares. These include fatty fish, fruits and vegetables, healthy fat sources, certain supplements, and probiotics. Fatty Fish Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines can be helpful for managing psoriasis because of the omega-3 fatty acids found in these types of fish. While fatty acids should be avoided from sources like red meat, omega-3s derived from fatty fish can be beneficial in reducing inflammation. Fruits and Vegetables Fruits and vegetables are a great way to lower inflammation in the body. Fruits and veggies are high in antioxidants, compounds that are known to protect cells from free radical damage and reduce inflammation. Healthy Sources of Fat Healthy fats like olive oil, flaxseed oil, and safflower oil are good for your heart and beneficial for psoriasis because of their anti-inflammatory fatty acids. Supplements Taking supplements in addition to consuming a balanced diet may be helpful for managing psoriasis. Some supplements to consider include fish oil and vitamin D. Probiotics Probiotics are live microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast, that are thought to increase the levels of "good bacteria" in your gut. Research has found that taking a probiotic supplement helps reduce symptoms and flares in psoriasis. Additional Triggers to Avoid Other psoriasis triggers to avoid include: StressSkin injuryCold, dry temperaturesInfectionsSmoking Summary Psoriasis is a type of autoimmune disorder that causes scaly, inflamed patches on the skin. Research has shown that dietary changes can positively impact individuals experiencing psoriasis, but these changes need to be in conjunction with proper medical interventions. Foods like fruits and vegetables, healthy oils, and fatty fish have anti-inflammatory properties, which help with psoriasis flares. In contrast, red meats, gluten, processed foods, and caffeine should be avoided since they may trigger inflammation. A Word From Verywell Psoriasis can be an uncomfortable condition to live with. But with proper management and medical treatment, people with psoriasis can live happy, healthy lives. Talk to your healthcare provider before implementing any new changes to your diet and psoriasis management regimen. Frequently Asked Questions Are eggs bad for psoriasis? Eggs should be avoided if you have psoriasis. This is because they contain arachidonic acid, which research has found may trigger flares. Which diet is good for psoriasis? A Mediterranean diet has been shown to be helpful in controlling psoriasis outbreaks. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 14 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is Psoriasis? National Psoriasis Foundation. About psoriasis. Ayala-Fontánez N, Soler DC, McCormick TS. Current knowledge on psoriasis and autoimmune diseases. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2016;6:7‐32. doi:10.2147/PTT.S64950 Johns Hopkins Medicine. 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