Psoriatic Disease
Nutrition 101There’s no diet pattern that will cure psoriatic disease, but to feel your best, it’s important to eat well. Eating a variety of nutritious foods, particularly those that help to fight inflammation, may help you feel better, increase energy levels, and better manage psoriatic disease symptoms. As a bonus, losing weight, or maintaining a healthy weight, may help to improve symptoms as well. Check out the nutrition tips below to help you feel your best!
Eat a well-balanced diet that includes
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Lean protein
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole grains
Choose foods high in antioxidants (nutrients that help to protect healthy cells)
- Fruits: strawberries, blueberries, cherries, blackberries
- Vegetables: spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts
- Herbs and Spices: dried or ground turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, garlic
Include healthy fats that help to lower inflammation
- Fatty fish: salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines
- Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, ground flax seed, chia seeds
- Fruit: avocado
- Oil: extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, walnut oil, avocado oil, flaxseed oil
Add fiber-rich foods to your plate to help lower inflammation, improve digestive health, and maintain blood sugar control
- Beans
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole grains
Skip out on foods that may increase inflammation in the body
- Red meat
- Processed meats: hot dogs, bratwursts, sausages, highly-processed deli meats
- Refined grains: white-flour based products (white bread, pasta, bagels, etc.)
- Sugary foods: sugar-sweetened beverages, pastries, cookies, candies, ice cream, cake
- Alcohol
- Fried foods
- Patients with psoriatic disease may find they are more sensitive to:
- Gluten-containing foods
- Dairy products
- Nightshades – specific plants, including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and peppers, that may cause an inflammatory reaction and worsen symptoms in some people
ProbioticsProbiotics may also be beneficial for those with psoriatic disease. Probiotics are living microorganisms that are eaten or taken in supplement form for possible health benefits. Even though bacteria are usually thought of as harmful “germs,” our bodies need certain bacteria to function properly. For example, there are large amounts of bacteria in our digestive system that help break down food, destroy disease-causing germs, and make important vitamins.
Probiotics can be found in fermented foods, like yogurt, or drinks, like kefir and kombucha. You can also take supplements that contain probiotics. For more specific information on which probiotic supplement to choose, check out the US Probiotics Guide.
When buying a probiotic there are many things to look for, including:
- Brand Quality: Do your research. Look for the NSF and/or the USP seal on products to determine safety and quality. For more information click here.
- High CFU (Colony Forming Units) Count: Choose a probiotic that has a higher number of CFUs, anywhere from 15 BILLION to 100 BILLION.
- Strain Diversity: Look for a probiotic supplement with at least 10-30 different strains of bacteria. Certain strains may be more helpful for some conditions than others. Using a tool like the US Probiotics Guide can help you find out which strain is best for you.