Effective Indian Diet Plan to Manage Psoriasis Effectively

Psoriasis is one of the common medical skin concerns, a chronic skin disease where there is rapid skin cell turnover and build of the cells on the skin surface. It is characterised by red, scaly patches of skin which may be sore, itchy, and painful and make the affected individual emotionally distressed. It is known to be the result of an overactive body’s defence system which mistakenly attacks the healthy skin cells.

Psoriasis can be managed. There are varieties of treatments available at a dermatology clinic, ranging from topical to oral. However, the best part is the symptoms of psoriasis are easily manageable and psoriasis exacerbations are preventable with some diet modifications. Having a healthy diet plan helps promote good general health including skin health by providing the right amount of essential nutrients to the body.

Thinking about how a diet plan can help manage psoriasis? Keep reading this article which offers insights into the link between psoriasis and diet, the importance of the right diet plan for psoriasis patients, and the main components of the Indian diet for psoriasis patients.

Relation Between Psoriasis And Diet

A big factor in the development and progression of psoriasis is inflammation.

It is a misconception that a bad diet plan can cause psoriasis. But, it’s true that intake of some food items can trigger an inflammatory response inside the body and that widespread irritation and inflammation can worsen psoriasis symptoms. As per researchers, these food items cause an overdrive of the immune system mechanisms. Some such inflammatory foods include dairy products, processed meats, saturated/trans fats, refined sugars, gluten-containing foods, and alcohol.

On the contrary, having a diet with anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce skin inflammation and to some extent help control psoriasis.

Importance of Having a Psoriasis Diet Plan

Skin health is linked to the general well-being of an individual and what nutrition an individual takes. If there is any skin condition, chances are that there is some fault with the diet plan.

Certain food groups in the diet can flare up psoriasis while some can even help manage symptoms of psoriasis. Therefore, psoriasis patients should plan their meals. Their diet plan should have anti-inflammatory and nutrient-rich food components. By having the right diet plan, psoriasis patients can heal better. They would feel motivated with their skin health improvement and be empowered to control their skin condition in this way.

What is an effective Indian Diet Plan for psoriasis patients in India?

Doctors often recommend psoriasis patients to have a diet plan that focuses more on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and herbs. Such food groups can help soothe inflamed skin and aid in natural healing from within.

Generally, a well-rounded psoriasis treatment diet is the most effective approach to reduce inflammation throughout the body, help reduce psoriasis flare-ups, and reduce the severity of psoriasis symptoms. A Mediterranean diet is best for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis patients as it can help combat chronic inflammation which can lead to serious medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Note that it is crucial to talk to a healthcare provider, a nutritionist, or a dietician before switching to any new diet plan or making major diet and lifestyle modifications. A consultation is even needed to know of potential triggers of psoriasis.

Essential nutrients that psoriasis patients of India require to successfully manage their condition and assist with their well-being

• Vitamins A, C, D, and E as well as antioxidants like beta carotene and flavonoids- reduce inflammation, protect against free radical damage, and improve skin lesions. They are one of the best foods to prevent psoriasis
• Polyphenols as found in spices, tea, coffee, and herbs 
• Minerals like zinc and selenium- to suppress TNF secretion that could cause psoriasis
• Dietary Fibres- to reduce oxidative stress and for anti-inflammatory effects. For more details on the best treatment for psoriasis consult a dermatologist today.

Foods that Psoriasis Patients In India Should Eat

Some crucial anti-inflammatory foods should be included in a psoriasis diet chart for patients in India. These include:

• Omega-3 fatty acid-containing foods- These include fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel flaxseeds, walnuts, and chia seeds. They are anti-inflammatory and help alleviate psoriasis symptoms.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables- These include leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, broccoli, berries, carrots, and citrus fruits. They are antioxidants loaded and help combat inflammation.
• Spices- Turmeric is the most used spice in food prepared in India. It has curcumin which possesses an anti-inflammatory effect. Another spice with an anti-inflammatory effect is ginger.
• Herbs- Indian gooseberry is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants. It can help boost immunity, support skin health, and reduce inflammation. Others include nutmeg, neem, saffron, Triphala, mustard oil, ginger, turmeric, bitter gourd, and others. Neem helps in detoxification and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Lean protein or plant-based foods- Tofu or tempeh, white-fleshed fish, beans, peas, lentils, skinless white poultry meat, plain Greek yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, lean beef, low-fat milk, powdered peanut butter, egg whites, and frozen shrimp are some of the protein-loaded, healthy foods.

Foods that Psoriasis Patients In India Should Avoid

Psoriasis patients should avert to some foods as these may trigger an anti-inflammatory response and worsen the symptoms of psoriasis. These include:

• Processed foods and junk foods that are loaded with trans fats and refined carbohydrates
• Beef
• Pork
• Full-fat dairy products
• Gluten-containing grains
• Salty foods such as pickles, papad, namkeen, chips, and bhelpuri in excess
• Sour foods such as panipuri, fermented foods, jams, tomato sauce, and sour fruit juices in excess
• Preserved foods such as lemon juice, buttermilk, vinegar, alcohol, curd, dressing, and squashes
• Incompatible foods such as sprouted vegetables or grains with meat, honey with beef, lotus steamed with meat, black gram with meat, jaggery with meat, milk or honey with leafy vegetables, curd with chicken, alcohol with kheer, and fish with jaggery or sugar.
• Hard-to-digest foods such as bakery products, pizza, cheese mixed foods, paneer, beef, and others
• Food items prepared with black gram such as idli, vada, and dosa
• Oily foods
• Cold and hot foods eaten together
• Excessive use of alcoholic preparations.

Talk with a dermatologist in Hyderabad to learn more on the diet that can help you with psoriasis management, psoriasis self care, and home remedies for psoriasis management.