Psoriasis Treatment with Vitamins: Exploring Varieties, Advantages, and Potential Drawbacks
Psoriasis, a skin disease characterised by inflammation and dense, scaly patches, may be linked to an increased risk of metabolic diseases. A balanced nutrient intake, focusing on reducing inflammation, could potentially help manage the condition.
Foods that are known to worsen psoriasis symptoms primarily contribute by increasing inflammation in the body, a key factor in psoriasis flare-ups. The most common dietary triggers include red meat, alcohol, simple sugars and refined carbohydrates, dairy products, certain nightshades, highly processed foods, wheat and gluten-containing products, and foods high in omega-6 rich oils.
High consumption of red meat is linked to increased inflammation and weight gain, both of which can exacerbate psoriasis. Alcohol can weaken the immune system, increase inflammation, interfere with vitamin D absorption, and reduce the effectiveness of psoriasis medications. Simple sugars and refined carbohydrates trigger inflammation by stimulating reactive oxygen species and related pathways. Dairy can activate immune responses causing low-grade chronic gut inflammation, which may worsen psoriasis. Certain nightshades may aggravate inflammation during flare-ups and are often best avoided. Highly processed foods promote a pro-inflammatory state that can worsen symptoms, while wheat and gluten-containing products may be potential triggers due to a higher prevalence of gluten sensitivity or celiac disease in people with psoriasis.
The underlying reason these foods worsen psoriasis is their role in promoting systemic inflammation and immune activation, key drivers of psoriasis pathology. Avoiding or limiting these foods, while focusing on a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet rich in fiber and nutrients, can help manage symptoms more effectively.
Maintaining a food diary can be useful for identifying individual trigger foods as responses vary between patients.
Vitamins play a crucial role in managing psoriasis. Vitamin A is essential for the production of healthy skin cells, while vitamin D, produced by the body after exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun, is vital for overall skin health. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that may help reduce oxidative stress in psoriasis. Topical vitamin A creams can reduce inflammation in plaque psoriasis, and vitamins A, E, D, and C may help reduce symptoms and prevent severe flare-ups. However, it's important to note that vitamins are not a replacement for conventional psoriasis treatments.
It's recommended to speak to a doctor before supplementing vitamins to manage a medical condition. Removing refined carbohydrates and sugar from the diet and replacing them with more vegetables, nuts, seeds, and low-sugar fruits may help reduce inflammation. The debate continues about whether certain foods can reduce psoriatic inflammation, but if symptoms do not respond to dietary changes, seek medical assistance.
[1] American Academy of Dermatology. (2021). Psoriasis: Triggers and treatments. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/triggers/treatments [2] National Psoriasis Foundation. (2021). Diet and nutrition. Retrieved from https://www.psoriasis.org/diet-and-nutrition [3] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Psoriasis diet: Foods to avoid. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/in-depth/psoriasis-diet/art-20046989 [4] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Psoriasis diet: What to eat and avoid. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15856-psoriasis/management-and-treatment/psoriasis-diet [5] Harvard Health. (2021). Gluten and psoriasis. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/gluten-and-psoriasis
- Psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition, may be associated with metabolic diseases, and a balanced diet rich in nutrients that reduce inflammation could potentially help manage it.
- Foods such as red meat, alcohol, simple sugars, dairy products, certain nightshades, highly processed foods, wheat and gluten-containing products, and foods high in omega-6 rich oils are known to worsen psoriasis symptoms due to their role in promoting systemic inflammation and immune activation.
- Vitamins play a significant role in managing psoriasis. For example, Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin cell production, while Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and topical Vitamin A creams can help reduce inflammation and prevent severe flare-ups.
- It is recommended to speak to a doctor before supplementing vitamins and making dietary changes to manage psoriasis, as individual responses can vary, and conventional treatments should not be replaced by diet or vitamins alone.
