Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFood and InflammationFoods to AvoidFoods to EatSupplementsEating Plans
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Food and Inflammation
Foods to Avoid
Foods to Eat
Supplements
Eating Plans
While you can’t reversepsoriasiswith diet, there is evidence that certain foods may help reduce the itching, flakiness, and inflammation that come with the skin condition. On the flip side, there are also foods that may trigger flare-ups or aggravate symptoms.
There is no standard “psoriasis diet” because foods affect people differently.You may need to try adding and removing things from your diet to find what works best for you.
How Diet Affects Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronicautoimmune disease. It happens when the immune system targets the skin with inflammation (the body’s natural response to anything it considers harmful).
The inflammation speeds up the production of skin cells from an average 28 to 30 days to a mere four to five days, causing cells to pile up on the surface of the skin. This results in itchy, scaly, flaking patches known asplaques.
Some foods are known to cause systemic (whole-body) inflammation, which can either trigger or worsen psoriasis symptoms in some people. Other foods are considered anti-inflammatory because they help decrease inflammation in the body.
Avoiding these foods may help people with psoriasis reduce the frequency and severity of their flare-ups.
Can You Eat Eggs With Psoriasis?Some people with psoriasis stop eating eggs because they believe they increase inflammation. Although egg yolks contain arachidonic acid, which may cause inflammation, there’s no scientific evidence that proves this link. What’s more, eggs are a good source of nutrients—like vitamins D and B12, as well as selenium—which have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Can You Eat Eggs With Psoriasis?
Some people with psoriasis stop eating eggs because they believe they increase inflammation. Although egg yolks contain arachidonic acid, which may cause inflammation, there’s no scientific evidence that proves this link. What’s more, eggs are a good source of nutrients—like vitamins D and B12, as well as selenium—which have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Some foods are known toreduce inflammation in the body, which may decrease the frequency and severity of psoriasis flares.
Foods to prioritize in your diet include:
It’s best to get nutrients from the foods in your diet, but supplements may help compensate for deficiencies. A few to consider include:
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Psoriasis-Friendly Diet Plans
Adding or removing certain foods from your diet may help improve psoriasis symptoms. If you prefer a complete eating plan to compose your meals, consider one of these:
Before starting any diet plan, speak with your healthcare provider to ensure that it is both safe and appropriate for you. Your healthcare provider can also refer you to adietitian or nutritionistto help you build a sustainable diet plan that meets your daily nutritional needs.
Summary
Research shows that certain foods affect inflammation in the body. So while diet can’t reverse psoriasis, it may affect the frequency and/or severity of symptoms.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, healthy oils, and fatty fish may be beneficial in keeping inflammation in check. In contrast, eating a lot of red meat and processed foods might trigger flare-ups. Some foods affect people differently, so use these recommendations as a guideline to design your individualized psoriasis diet.
22 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Garbicz J, Całyniuk B, Górski M, Buczkowska M, Piecuch M, Kulik A, Rozentryt P.Nutritional therapy in persons suffering from psoriasis.Nutrients. 2021;14(1):119. doi:10.3390/nu14010119National Psoriasis Foundation.Dietary modifications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is psoriasis?Lowes MA, Suarez-Farinas M, Krueger JG.Immunology of psoriasis.Annu Rev Immunol.2014;32:227–55. doi:10.1146/annurev-immunol-032713-120225Ford AR, Siegel M, Bagel J, et al.Dietary recommendations for adults with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis from the medical board of the National Psoriasis Foundation: a systematic review.JAMA Dermatology. 2018;154(8):934-950. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.1412Fritsche KL.The science of fatty acids and inflammation.Adv Nutr.2015 May;6(3):293S–301S. doi:10.3945/an.114.006940Ungprasert P, Wijarnpreecha K, Kittanamongkolchai W.Psoriasis and Risk of Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2017.Svanström C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordlind K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2019;9:75-79. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104Svanstrom C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordling K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl).2019;9:75–9. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104Manzel A, Muller DN, Hafler DA, Erdman SE, Linker RA, Kleinewietfeld M.Role of “Western diet” in inflammatory autoimmune diseases.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(1):404. doi:10.1007/s11882-013-0404-6Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and Psoriasis. International Journal of Molecular Science. 2020.U.S. Department of Agriculture.Egg.Shivakoti R, Biggs ML, Djoussé L, Durda PJ, Kizer JR, Psaty B, Reiner AP, Tracy RP, Siscovick D, Mukamal KJ.Intake and Sources of Dietary Fiber, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Disease in Older US Adults. JAMA. 2022.Afifi L, Danesh MJ, Lee KM, et al.Dietary behaviors in psoriasis: patient-reported outcomes from a U.S. national survey.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(2):227-242. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0183-4Navarro-López V, Martínez-Andrés A, Ramírez-Boscá A, et al.Efficacy and safety of oral administration of a mixture of probiotic strains in patients with psoriasis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Acta Derm Venereol. 2019;99(12):1078-1084. doi:10.2340/00015555-3305Millsop JW, Bhatia BK, Debbaneh M, Koo J, Liao W.Diet and psoriasis: part 3. Role of nutritional supplements.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(3):561-569. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.016Barrea L, Savanelli MC, Di Somma C, Napolitano M, Megna M, Colao A, Savastano S.Vitamin D and its role in psoriasis: An overview of the dermatologist and nutritionist. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. 2017.Lin X, Meng X, Song Z.Homocysteine and psoriasis. Bioscience Reports. 2019.Millsop JW, Bhatia BK, Debbaneh M, Koo J, Liao W.Diet and psoriasis: part 3. Role of nutritional supplements.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(3):561-569. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.016Martínez-González MA, Gea A, Ruiz-Canela M.The Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular health.Circ Res. 2019;124(5):779-798. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313348D’Erme AM, Kovacikova Curkova A, Agnoletti AF, Milanesi N, Simonacci F, Gola M.Gluten-free diet as a therapeutic approach in psoriatic patients: if yes, when.G Ital Dermatol Venereol.2015;150(3):317-20.De la O V, Zazpe I, Goni L, Santiago S, et al.A score appraising Paleolithic diet and the risk of cardiovascular disease in a Mediterranean prospective cohort.Eur J Nutr.2022 Mar;61(2):957-71. doi:10.1007/s00394-021-02696-9
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Garbicz J, Całyniuk B, Górski M, Buczkowska M, Piecuch M, Kulik A, Rozentryt P.Nutritional therapy in persons suffering from psoriasis.Nutrients. 2021;14(1):119. doi:10.3390/nu14010119National Psoriasis Foundation.Dietary modifications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is psoriasis?Lowes MA, Suarez-Farinas M, Krueger JG.Immunology of psoriasis.Annu Rev Immunol.2014;32:227–55. doi:10.1146/annurev-immunol-032713-120225Ford AR, Siegel M, Bagel J, et al.Dietary recommendations for adults with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis from the medical board of the National Psoriasis Foundation: a systematic review.JAMA Dermatology. 2018;154(8):934-950. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.1412Fritsche KL.The science of fatty acids and inflammation.Adv Nutr.2015 May;6(3):293S–301S. doi:10.3945/an.114.006940Ungprasert P, Wijarnpreecha K, Kittanamongkolchai W.Psoriasis and Risk of Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2017.Svanström C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordlind K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2019;9:75-79. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104Svanstrom C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordling K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl).2019;9:75–9. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104Manzel A, Muller DN, Hafler DA, Erdman SE, Linker RA, Kleinewietfeld M.Role of “Western diet” in inflammatory autoimmune diseases.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(1):404. doi:10.1007/s11882-013-0404-6Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and Psoriasis. International Journal of Molecular Science. 2020.U.S. Department of Agriculture.Egg.Shivakoti R, Biggs ML, Djoussé L, Durda PJ, Kizer JR, Psaty B, Reiner AP, Tracy RP, Siscovick D, Mukamal KJ.Intake and Sources of Dietary Fiber, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Disease in Older US Adults. JAMA. 2022.Afifi L, Danesh MJ, Lee KM, et al.Dietary behaviors in psoriasis: patient-reported outcomes from a U.S. national survey.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(2):227-242. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0183-4Navarro-López V, Martínez-Andrés A, Ramírez-Boscá A, et al.Efficacy and safety of oral administration of a mixture of probiotic strains in patients with psoriasis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Acta Derm Venereol. 2019;99(12):1078-1084. doi:10.2340/00015555-3305Millsop JW, Bhatia BK, Debbaneh M, Koo J, Liao W.Diet and psoriasis: part 3. Role of nutritional supplements.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(3):561-569. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.016Barrea L, Savanelli MC, Di Somma C, Napolitano M, Megna M, Colao A, Savastano S.Vitamin D and its role in psoriasis: An overview of the dermatologist and nutritionist. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. 2017.Lin X, Meng X, Song Z.Homocysteine and psoriasis. Bioscience Reports. 2019.Millsop JW, Bhatia BK, Debbaneh M, Koo J, Liao W.Diet and psoriasis: part 3. Role of nutritional supplements.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(3):561-569. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.016Martínez-González MA, Gea A, Ruiz-Canela M.The Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular health.Circ Res. 2019;124(5):779-798. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313348D’Erme AM, Kovacikova Curkova A, Agnoletti AF, Milanesi N, Simonacci F, Gola M.Gluten-free diet as a therapeutic approach in psoriatic patients: if yes, when.G Ital Dermatol Venereol.2015;150(3):317-20.De la O V, Zazpe I, Goni L, Santiago S, et al.A score appraising Paleolithic diet and the risk of cardiovascular disease in a Mediterranean prospective cohort.Eur J Nutr.2022 Mar;61(2):957-71. doi:10.1007/s00394-021-02696-9
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Garbicz J, Całyniuk B, Górski M, Buczkowska M, Piecuch M, Kulik A, Rozentryt P.Nutritional therapy in persons suffering from psoriasis.Nutrients. 2021;14(1):119. doi:10.3390/nu14010119National Psoriasis Foundation.Dietary modifications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is psoriasis?Lowes MA, Suarez-Farinas M, Krueger JG.Immunology of psoriasis.Annu Rev Immunol.2014;32:227–55. doi:10.1146/annurev-immunol-032713-120225Ford AR, Siegel M, Bagel J, et al.Dietary recommendations for adults with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis from the medical board of the National Psoriasis Foundation: a systematic review.JAMA Dermatology. 2018;154(8):934-950. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.1412Fritsche KL.The science of fatty acids and inflammation.Adv Nutr.2015 May;6(3):293S–301S. doi:10.3945/an.114.006940Ungprasert P, Wijarnpreecha K, Kittanamongkolchai W.Psoriasis and Risk of Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2017.Svanström C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordlind K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2019;9:75-79. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104Svanstrom C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordling K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl).2019;9:75–9. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104Manzel A, Muller DN, Hafler DA, Erdman SE, Linker RA, Kleinewietfeld M.Role of “Western diet” in inflammatory autoimmune diseases.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(1):404. doi:10.1007/s11882-013-0404-6Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and Psoriasis. International Journal of Molecular Science. 2020.U.S. Department of Agriculture.Egg.Shivakoti R, Biggs ML, Djoussé L, Durda PJ, Kizer JR, Psaty B, Reiner AP, Tracy RP, Siscovick D, Mukamal KJ.Intake and Sources of Dietary Fiber, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Disease in Older US Adults. JAMA. 2022.Afifi L, Danesh MJ, Lee KM, et al.Dietary behaviors in psoriasis: patient-reported outcomes from a U.S. national survey.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(2):227-242. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0183-4Navarro-López V, Martínez-Andrés A, Ramírez-Boscá A, et al.Efficacy and safety of oral administration of a mixture of probiotic strains in patients with psoriasis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Acta Derm Venereol. 2019;99(12):1078-1084. doi:10.2340/00015555-3305Millsop JW, Bhatia BK, Debbaneh M, Koo J, Liao W.Diet and psoriasis: part 3. Role of nutritional supplements.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(3):561-569. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.016Barrea L, Savanelli MC, Di Somma C, Napolitano M, Megna M, Colao A, Savastano S.Vitamin D and its role in psoriasis: An overview of the dermatologist and nutritionist. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. 2017.Lin X, Meng X, Song Z.Homocysteine and psoriasis. Bioscience Reports. 2019.Millsop JW, Bhatia BK, Debbaneh M, Koo J, Liao W.Diet and psoriasis: part 3. Role of nutritional supplements.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(3):561-569. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.016Martínez-González MA, Gea A, Ruiz-Canela M.The Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular health.Circ Res. 2019;124(5):779-798. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313348D’Erme AM, Kovacikova Curkova A, Agnoletti AF, Milanesi N, Simonacci F, Gola M.Gluten-free diet as a therapeutic approach in psoriatic patients: if yes, when.G Ital Dermatol Venereol.2015;150(3):317-20.De la O V, Zazpe I, Goni L, Santiago S, et al.A score appraising Paleolithic diet and the risk of cardiovascular disease in a Mediterranean prospective cohort.Eur J Nutr.2022 Mar;61(2):957-71. doi:10.1007/s00394-021-02696-9
Garbicz J, Całyniuk B, Górski M, Buczkowska M, Piecuch M, Kulik A, Rozentryt P.Nutritional therapy in persons suffering from psoriasis.Nutrients. 2021;14(1):119. doi:10.3390/nu14010119
National Psoriasis Foundation.Dietary modifications.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is psoriasis?
Lowes MA, Suarez-Farinas M, Krueger JG.Immunology of psoriasis.Annu Rev Immunol.2014;32:227–55. doi:10.1146/annurev-immunol-032713-120225
Ford AR, Siegel M, Bagel J, et al.Dietary recommendations for adults with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis from the medical board of the National Psoriasis Foundation: a systematic review.JAMA Dermatology. 2018;154(8):934-950. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.1412
Fritsche KL.The science of fatty acids and inflammation.Adv Nutr.2015 May;6(3):293S–301S. doi:10.3945/an.114.006940
Ungprasert P, Wijarnpreecha K, Kittanamongkolchai W.Psoriasis and Risk of Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2017.
Svanström C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordlind K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2019;9:75-79. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104
Svanstrom C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordling K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl).2019;9:75–9. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104
Manzel A, Muller DN, Hafler DA, Erdman SE, Linker RA, Kleinewietfeld M.Role of “Western diet” in inflammatory autoimmune diseases.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(1):404. doi:10.1007/s11882-013-0404-6
Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and Psoriasis. International Journal of Molecular Science. 2020.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Egg.
Shivakoti R, Biggs ML, Djoussé L, Durda PJ, Kizer JR, Psaty B, Reiner AP, Tracy RP, Siscovick D, Mukamal KJ.Intake and Sources of Dietary Fiber, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Disease in Older US Adults. JAMA. 2022.
Afifi L, Danesh MJ, Lee KM, et al.Dietary behaviors in psoriasis: patient-reported outcomes from a U.S. national survey.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(2):227-242. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0183-4
Navarro-López V, Martínez-Andrés A, Ramírez-Boscá A, et al.Efficacy and safety of oral administration of a mixture of probiotic strains in patients with psoriasis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Acta Derm Venereol. 2019;99(12):1078-1084. doi:10.2340/00015555-3305
Millsop JW, Bhatia BK, Debbaneh M, Koo J, Liao W.Diet and psoriasis: part 3. Role of nutritional supplements.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(3):561-569. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.016
Barrea L, Savanelli MC, Di Somma C, Napolitano M, Megna M, Colao A, Savastano S.Vitamin D and its role in psoriasis: An overview of the dermatologist and nutritionist. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. 2017.
Lin X, Meng X, Song Z.Homocysteine and psoriasis. Bioscience Reports. 2019.
Martínez-González MA, Gea A, Ruiz-Canela M.The Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular health.Circ Res. 2019;124(5):779-798. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313348
D’Erme AM, Kovacikova Curkova A, Agnoletti AF, Milanesi N, Simonacci F, Gola M.Gluten-free diet as a therapeutic approach in psoriatic patients: if yes, when.G Ital Dermatol Venereol.2015;150(3):317-20.
De la O V, Zazpe I, Goni L, Santiago S, et al.A score appraising Paleolithic diet and the risk of cardiovascular disease in a Mediterranean prospective cohort.Eur J Nutr.2022 Mar;61(2):957-71. doi:10.1007/s00394-021-02696-9
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