Psoriasis Awareness Month: Can diet influence psoriasis? What dermatologists recommend

Dermatologist explains how anti-inflammatory foods, antioxidants, and mindful eating can help manage psoriasis symptoms and improve skin health. (Image: Pexels)

An increased immune response targeting the skin speeds up the shedding of skin cells, leading to thick plaques and systemic inflammation in psoriasis. Diet plays a crucial role, as certain foods can aggravate systemic inflammation while others may help control it. Highly processed foods, refined sugars, and saturated fats are linked with higher inflammatory markers and may worsen psoriasis. In contrast, anti-inflammatory foods — such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish — can help reduce excessive immune activity.

Research shows that anti-inflammatory eating patterns like the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, healthy oils, and lean proteins, are especially beneficial for psoriasis patients. While diet alone cannot cure psoriasis, mindful food choices can support medical therapy, improve skin health, prevent flare-ups, and enhance overall quality of life.

Also Read: Dengue in India: 6 preventive tips to protect your family from mosquito bites

Dr Priyanka Kuri, Consultant - Dermatology, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, explains how diet can help manage psoriasis symptoms:

1. Eat More Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Scientific studies have shown all dietary sources of Omega-3 fatty acids (food sources, like folk fish (salmon, mackerel and sardines), flaxseeds and walnuts) are anti-inflammatory. As we often consume food that is anti-inflammatory, increasing their intake will help reduce inflammation and scaling of the psoriasis plaques.

2. Add Antioxidant-Rich Foods

You are going to need antioxidants and the best source to that are foods such as berries, tomatoes, bell peppers and also dark green vegetables that are really high in antioxidants.

Even a remarkable benefit was seen when people started taking in vitamin C, E and Beta carotene. So having these in your daily diet can help a lot. Antioxidants can help control psoriasis to a large extent.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity is thought to enhance inflammatory processes in the adipose tissue, therefore there is a definite correlation with poorer psoriasis. A nutritionally balanced calorie-restricted diet will improve your skin health, but the combined effects will show with the prevention of other diseases/health conditions (like arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease), that are more uniquely observed with psoriasis patients.

4. Avoid Processed Foods and Sugar

We may enjoy processed snacks, sugary beverages and fast foods, but we fail to realize that these are often high in trans fat and refined sugar which is adding inflammation. Thus, removing processed foods and instead eating fresh, nutrient-dense foods can help you achieve better symptom management of your psoriasis.

5. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Excess drinking has been linked to a rise in psoriasis flare-ups and a decline in some treatment effectiveness. When it comes to drinking, moderation is important sometimes

Also Read: Michael Clarke diagnosed with skin cancer; 8 symptoms you should not miss

6. Identify Personal Food Triggers

Food triggers may be quite individual. Keeping a symptom and diet journal will allow you to have a clear path to see reactions to specific foods like red meat, milk, or wheat. You will see foods each person eats and be able to eliminate or limit these foods with the support of the doctor.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.