The Internet is full of helpful information to educate and assist people dealing with psoriasis. Scientific and medical research has made tremendous strides in identifying the challenges of—and solutions to—living with this inflammatory disease that affects millions of people around the globe. But when it comes to identifying clear links between diet and psoriasis flare-ups, the information so far seems pretty inconclusive.
While headlines like 8 Foods that Affect Psoriasis and 12 Best and Worst Foods for Psoriasis would seem to indicate there might be some solid data out there, these articles actually go on to explain there’s little-to-no scientific evidence that any particular food trend can be tied to psoriasis at large. Indeed, the only real conclusion seems to be to stick with a standard, healthy diet, and to be cautious of any self-proclaimed psoriasis “magic bullet” diets you might come across.
There may not be any established direct links between diet and the disease itself, but there are some indirect links to psoriasis’s symptoms to keep in mind. Obesity is known to aggravate the condition, so a healthy diet and lifestyle is always a good idea. Also, skin-healthy meals rich in vitamins A and D—and anti-inflammatory foods rich in Omega3s—may prove helpful. These practices might not impact psoriasis itself, but they can help improve your skin condition, and your overall quality-of-life.
Of course, while no direct connections—and only a few indirect connections—have been identified between psoriasis and food for patients in general, that doesn’t negate the connections you may have found in your own life. It’s well established that psoriasis triggers vary greatly between individuals. If you find yourself experiencing flare-ups after certain foods, you should absolutely trust your instincts and adjust your diet accordingly. Science is great for identifying large-scale trends, but it can’t always predict what will or won’t work in each unique case—determining how food affects your own psoriasis is ultimately up to you and your doctor.