How an Anti-inflammatory Diet Can Be Beneficial for Psoriasis Patients

Inflammation is a major factor in the development of psoriasis, and an anti-inflammatory diet can be an effective way to manage the condition. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet for psoriasis sufferers and provide practical tips on how to incorporate this type of diet into your lifestyle. By understanding the science behind the diet and its potential benefits, you can make informed decisions about your health and take steps towards reducing the severity of your psoriasis.

Before we dig into all about the most buzzed diet right now, we will see every bit about inflammation. In simple words, to make the right sense, inflammation is just the reaction of our body to external invasion. When we touch fire, we take aback your hand, that is a reflex action.

Similarly, when we feel like being attacked, we swiftly move aside, which is again a reflex action by our body. This is a mechanism that is run by our brain in reaction to an attack from outside. It takes full action by the motor control system and receptor cells, nerves, and commands by the brain altogether to finish this action.

Everything like germs, microorganisms, antigens, bacteria, viruses, parasites, infections, cuts, scratches, bites, or anything external that does not belong to the body is marked as unwanted by our body. That means they are called enemies by our immune system. Now, as we know, the immune system is the army of our body that cuts off external attacks efficiently.

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is one such reaction produced by it while tackling antigens. The widely known external indications of inflammation are redness and swelling around the area of infection. But inflammation is much more than those alone.

Generally speaking, inflammation brings an army to the site of infection. It involves receptors, mediators, hormones, inflammatory cells, white blood cells, neutrophils, pus cells, mucous membranes, and nerves, all in accordance serving each purpose.

The dilution of the blood vessels increases the blood flow and also brings inflammatory cells to the site. This causes redness alongside swelling. The swelling is because of the accumulation of much fluid and plasma proteins. However, the swelling gets back to normal when the fluids drain off the tissue.

The action of the cells against the pathogens heats the area of infection. The mucosal cells increase in case of nasal infections and allergic infections. The leukocytes and the group of inflammatory cells take over the phagocytic action killing the pathogens. This whole process is called inflammation.

An inflammation then becomes a problem when it just lingers around and stays longer than needed. If there is inflammation, there need not be an infection too, it can be an autoimmune reaction too. But when there is an infection, there will certainly be an inflammatory reaction. Inflammation is suffixed by ‘itis’ in medical terminology. Like as in rhinitis, sinusitis, arthritis, etc

If the inflammation is painful or has stayed for a longer time causing pain or damage to the tissues, it has to be checked upon. Our body carries on cell-level and humoral-level immune reactions, which are central to inflammation. When there is an inflammation in the body certain cell counts increase, and certain decrease indicating the level of infection happening.

Further research in the pathophysiology of inflammations has left a reference to estimate the inflammation. Biomarkers are utilized to check the extent of it. CRP is one such test. The doctor prescribes it to assess the levels of infection. The higher the levels of c-reactive protein, the more the inflammation. It can be slightly in cases of fever and cold but can be higher in cases of acute and chronic inflammation in cancers and cases of pneumonia.

Acute inflammation is when it starts within hours and goes away within days. An inflammation as talked about earlier accumulates plasma proteins and fluids in the tissue. This causes swelling. The wide circulation of blood to that area of the body also accelerates the action in the tissues. The pressure on the surrounding nerves, the swelling, and the heat make it painful and irritable.

If the inflammation does not leave even after the threat is eliminated it is acute. However, in acute inflammation, the damage is cellular level. This type of inflammation happens mostly in the case of insect bites, cuts, injuries, dust intervention, and also in infections. Acute pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and acute appendicitis are a few acute inflammations. 

Meanwhile, Subacute inflammation varies for anywhere between two to six weeks. 

Chronic inflammation takes over slowly and gradually becomes persistent. The diseases that are developed by chronic infections are life-taking. Research says most of the struggling and life-threatening diseases are a result of chronic inflammation. Chronic kidney diseases, arthritis, psoriasis, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are chronic diseases that last a lifetime.

All of these are chronic, once inflammation develops into a disease, it stays lifelong. Scars, injuries, exposure to chemicals, dust, silica, tissues inability to repair, recurrent acute inflammations, inability to uproot the threat for acute inflammations, and autoimmune reactions by the inflammatory system are responsible for causing chronic inflammations. This ends up in tissue death, edema, and permanent damage to the area of the body. 

Anti-Inflammatory Diet in Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease. This means it is caused by an autoimmune reaction of the immune system attacking healthy skin cells. A pile-up of cells, scaly plaques, redness, itch, and dryness of the skin are signs of psoriasis. It has in detail various types depending on the area of infection. But psoriasis to date has no definite cure.

Although the advancements in technology and medicine have summed up various ways to lessen the impacts of its symptoms. One such way to minimize its nightmares is the diet and lifestyle apart from the treatment plans.

Talking about diets, as in a diabetic diet there is no specific diet stipulated for psoriasis. A perfect diet alone does not work on psoriasis but it is surely an important factor in treating it. 

A low-calorie diet alongside treatments for psoriasis, a regular fish diet, mineral zinc, vitamin D, and calcium-rich diet, and gluten-free dietary habits are efficient dietary habits. These have shown easing effects on the psoriasis symptoms and progressions by research. To be understood is this dietary change works effectively while taking treatment and not alone. 

Obesity, and diabetes are risk factors for psoriasis. Research has been extensively done in these areas to come up with a diet-sustaining psoriasis. Of them, the Mediterranean diet has shown that in people with severe psoriasis, having taken this diet the progression of the disease has been slow. Also, obesity calls for weight loss and also maintaining weight, this has been rightly provided by the Mediterranean diet. We shall discuss the same later. 

Now speaking of an anti inflammatory diet, it is a diet that contains food with anti inflammatory properties. Although it does not have a blueprint, it follows a lot of fresh veggies and fruits. Foods that cause inflammation are refined carbs like white bread, kinds of pasta, pastries, fried foods, beverages flavored drinks, red meat, processed meats, kinds of margarine, sugars, sweets, desserts, etc. and foods that reduce the inflammation are fresh veggies like tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, kale, leaves, spinach, grapefruit, cherries, berries, prunes, legumes, nuts, flax seeds, and dry nuts, etc.  

DASH Diet and Mediterranean Diet are examples of the anti-inflammatory diet

Mediterranean Diet for Psoriasis

It is a diet inspired by the dietary habits of the people living in the Mediterranean region. This means it is high in fish meat consumption, fresh fruits, leaves, legumes, cereals, bread, eggs, seafood, whole grains, and organic oils like olive oil. It has a lower intake of nonfish meat, wine, processed meats, processed foods, sweets, flavored foods, gluten, and refined carbohydrates. The main lipid component comes into the diet from fruit and vegetable oils rather than animal fat. It constitutes only 8 percent of saturated fats in this diet. That is why the Mediterranean diet has shown relative changes in weight and inflammation. The above-discussed and needed dietary needs are thus sufficiently provided by the Mediterranean diet. 

A typical Mediterranean diet looks like this 

Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Including fish at least twice a week, eat lots of whole grains, legumes, and cereals twice a week. Use rich vegetable oils instead of fats. Use spices and natural salts and not flavors for taste. Cut refined carbs, flour, sausages, slices of bacon, hotdogs. 

Have broccoli, cucumbers, kale, peppers, Brussels, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, onions, etc., and all kinds of berries, cherries, grapefruit, prunes, peaches, figs, bananas, apples, mangoes to cut it short seasonal fruits are a must. Include poultry and dairy moderately. Includes legumes, chickpeas, lentils, pulses, peas, salmon, tuna, crabs, chicken, greek yogurt, and cheeses. Potatoes, turnips, and sweet potatoes are given a place, as it include a lot of starchy foods too. Healthy oils like olive and Avocado oil, cinnamon, garlic, and other spices are typical of the Mediterranean diet. Foods belonging to nightshades, tomatoes, eggplants, etc. are eliminated when given to inflammatory diseased patients. 

The DASH Diet

Coming to the DASH diet, both of these diets serve the same foods unless the DASH diet prioritizes dairy. As its name suggests, it is a dietary approach to stop hypertension. That is high levels of blood pressure. It mainly works to lower blood pressure and also contains a vast range of anti inflammatory foods. It reduces the sodium intake per day increasing all others like poultry, fish, whole grains, etc., alongside whole grains, fresh fruits, and veggies, dash allows fatty meats, full-fat dairy, and high saturated fats too but within limits. Coconut oils. Palm oils and kernel oils are given a place aside. And beverages and sweetened drinks are not eliminated but restricted. Foods rich in fiber, starch, magnesium, potassium, and low in sodium are included. This diet has a proven balance for all sorts of foods, salts, and minerals and is adaptable easily. Research has proven that it has improved heart and hypertension issues. 

Mediterranean and Dash diets for Psoriasis

The Mediterranean diet does not allow processed foods barely twice a month. The Mediterranean diet is more of a lifestyle rather than just a diet.

Both these diets are stated approachable for fine living by health authorities as they heal, correct, and rejuvenate the body in multiple approaches. Also reduces the inflammation considerably if followed consistently. Also, the anti inflammatory diet has shown results in diabetes, psoriatic arthritis, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.

Vegetarian Diet for Psoriasis

A vegetarian diet is another diet adapted as it has been proven to reduce chronic disease, heart risks, and weight loss. And also for environmental benefits as it cuts meat. It has various types like vegan, Lacto-vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, flexitarian, pescetarian, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, etc. However, all of them are considered health boosters.

Navigating Towards Skin Tranquility Through Dietary Choices

In the delicate ballet between our diet and skin health, the potent potential of an anti-inflammatory diet unfurls as a gentle, yet powerful ally in our journey through managing psoriasis. Embracing a palette of vibrant, nutrient-dense foods not only nourishes our bodies but may also offer a semblance of serenity to our inflamed, unrestful skin. While the path is interlaced with both scientific insight and anecdotal pathways, it’s pivotal to recognize the uniqueness of our bodies and the diversified responses they harbor towards dietary modifications. Always consult with healthcare professionals, ensuring your dietary choices are tailored, safe, and complementary to your existing psoriasis management strategy. Here’s to exploring the harmonious symphony of flavors within an anti inflammatory diet, hoping it paves a path towards not just satiating our palates, but also soothing the silent cries of our skin.

---

Faqs on Anti Inflammatory Diet for Psoriasis

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279298/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534820/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30865402/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33499118/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30046840/
7. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/nutrition/anti-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory-diet
8. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation
9. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mediterranean-diet-meal-plan#foods-to-eat
10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_diet
11. https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/dash-vs-mediterranean/
12. https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/whats-the-deal-with-the-anti-inflammatory-diet/