Can your diet affect your psoriasis? The question is the subject of much study and debate, but it stands to reason that diet alone can affect your health and psoriasis being a health condition your diet should by extension have an impact. It is always amazing to discover new ways in which the foods we eat can directly affect the way we look and feel. The saying, you are what you eat, has more truth to it than many of us want to admit.
Gluten Free Psoriasis Diet
The current trend of research toward a psoriasis diet is in those studying the impact of a gluten free dietary regimen. Gluten itself is found in wheat and other farmed grasses. Gluten is a cause of celiac disease and celiac disease is known for its affect on the skin. When a person that must avoid gluten due to celiac has a severe reaction to ingested gluten, this reaction manifests itself in a pustular rash on the skin. These same types of pustules are also seen in more severe cases of psoriasis and as a result some have made the connection that a gluten free diet can serve as the foundation for a psoriasis diet.
The research on the affect of this gluten free approach to a psoriasis diet has not been subjected to the rigors of a clinical trial and peer review, but some basic clinical studies have found that there is a high correlation between a strict gluten free diet and a reduction in symptoms of psoriasis.
History of Psoriasis Diet
The history of the search for a psoriasis diet has been marked with disappointing results. There was a time when it was thought that a diet rich in fish oil would reduce symptoms of psoriasis. This study followed the logic that Greenland Eskimos, who have a low occurrence of psoriasis within their population while in their native environment and eating a diet heavy in fish, saw a normalization of psoriasis levels across their population as they left their native land and migrated to urban areas where their diet was significantly changed. In other words, once they left their omega-3 rich diet, their rate of psoriasis within their population increased. The problem with using non-isolated variables to determine cause and effect is that just because there is a correlation between two things does not mean there is a causation connection. In the case of fish oil, there has not been any other evidence to substantiate a claim of a reduction in the symptoms of psoriasis by eating a diet that is rich in omega-3′s.
With this said, those studying the gluten free diet correlation are adhering to a more scientific approach and even though preliminary findings are showing a positive direct correlation, those studying the issue have yet to make any major claims. One thing is for certain, a diet that is gluten free cannot hurt your condition and if it even has the potential to make a positive difference it would be worth the effort of giving the gluten free psoriasis diet a try. Worst case scenario, you will experience the other proven benefits of the diet and your psoriasis will remain untreated. For other options on Psoriasis treatment click the link.
Psoriasis Diet Video
There are also some different opinions on Psoriasis diet, as you can see in the following video:
