Debunking Psoriasis Myths: Can Diet Clear Psoriasis?

Myth: Psoriasis Can Be Treated By Eating or Avoiding Certain Foods

Patients who Google “diet and psoriasis” are flooded with search results of diets claiming to cure psoriasis. This misinformation is dangerous for patients, as there is no scientific evidence that any specific psoriasis diet can treat the condition. Patients may wish to improve their diet to prevent comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Even though it may not be a cure, encouraging patients to eat healthy is never a bad thing.

In a 2014 analysis of psoriasis, obesity, body mass index (BMI), and diet literature, an increased risk for psoriasis development in the setting of obesity was discussed. There is evidence suggesting that a BMI greater than 30 kg/m² may potentially play a role in the ability to achieve a full therapeutic effect of psoriasis therapy. “This could be for two possible reasons,” Debbaneh et al reported. “It may be a consequence of decreased drug distribution into the body due to increased body mass, or it may be a consequence of increased pro-inflammatory cytokine release as a result of increased adipocyte count.” However, this finding may be treatment specific. For example, higher body weight was an independent predictor of response to ustekinumab, providing the rationale for offering 2 weight-based dosing regimens of the drug. Overweight and obese patients also were less likely to experience clearance with adalimumab. However, studies have found no association between BMI and biologic treatment.

Weight loss through a low-calorie diet has been reported to achieve a greater reduction in psoriasis severity and a slower rebound of disease. “Interestingly, studies have shown that caloric restriction in obese subjects lowers the level of circulating inflammatory cytokines,” reported Debbaneh et al. “This may contribute to the observed beneficial effect in psoriatic disease.”

In patients whose disease has had a significant impact on quality of life, it is important that they are consulting resources online that will help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. The National Psoriasis Foundation provides useful information on diet and psoriasis, emphasizing that diet is not going to cure psoriatic disease but eating healthier can only help.

Expert Commentary

Many of my psoriasis patients ask me what should they avoid eating to prevent the psoriasis from worsening, or what did they eat to cause psoriasis to occur in the first place. I stress to patients that what they eat is not likely the cause of their psoriasis nor will avoiding certain foods prevent a flare. However, alcohol use may induce a psoriasis flare.

—Jashin J. Wu, MD (Los Angeles, California)

Myth: Psoriasis Can Be Treated By Eating or Avoiding Certain Foods

Patients who Google “diet and psoriasis” are flooded with search results of diets claiming to cure psoriasis. This misinformation is dangerous for patients, as there is no scientific evidence that any specific psoriasis diet can treat the condition. Patients may wish to improve their diet to prevent comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Even though it may not be a cure, encouraging patients to eat healthy is never a bad thing.

In a 2014 analysis of psoriasis, obesity, body mass index (BMI), and diet literature, an increased risk for psoriasis development in the setting of obesity was discussed. There is evidence suggesting that a BMI greater than 30 kg/m² may potentially play a role in the ability to achieve a full therapeutic effect of psoriasis therapy. “This could be for two possible reasons,” Debbaneh et al reported. “It may be a consequence of decreased drug distribution into the body due to increased body mass, or it may be a consequence of increased pro-inflammatory cytokine release as a result of increased adipocyte count.” However, this finding may be treatment specific. For example, higher body weight was an independent predictor of response to ustekinumab, providing the rationale for offering 2 weight-based dosing regimens of the drug. Overweight and obese patients also were less likely to experience clearance with adalimumab. However, studies have found no association between BMI and biologic treatment.

Weight loss through a low-calorie diet has been reported to achieve a greater reduction in psoriasis severity and a slower rebound of disease. “Interestingly, studies have shown that caloric restriction in obese subjects lowers the level of circulating inflammatory cytokines,” reported Debbaneh et al. “This may contribute to the observed beneficial effect in psoriatic disease.”

In patients whose disease has had a significant impact on quality of life, it is important that they are consulting resources online that will help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. The National Psoriasis Foundation provides useful information on diet and psoriasis, emphasizing that diet is not going to cure psoriatic disease but eating healthier can only help.

Expert Commentary

Many of my psoriasis patients ask me what should they avoid eating to prevent the psoriasis from worsening, or what did they eat to cause psoriasis to occur in the first place. I stress to patients that what they eat is not likely the cause of their psoriasis nor will avoiding certain foods prevent a flare. However, alcohol use may induce a psoriasis flare.

—Jashin J. Wu, MD (Los Angeles, California)

Myth: Psoriasis Can Be Treated By Eating or Avoiding Certain Foods

Patients who Google “diet and psoriasis” are flooded with search results of diets claiming to cure psoriasis. This misinformation is dangerous for patients, as there is no scientific evidence that any specific psoriasis diet can treat the condition. Patients may wish to improve their diet to prevent comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Even though it may not be a cure, encouraging patients to eat healthy is never a bad thing.

In a 2014 analysis of psoriasis, obesity, body mass index (BMI), and diet literature, an increased risk for psoriasis development in the setting of obesity was discussed. There is evidence suggesting that a BMI greater than 30 kg/m² may potentially play a role in the ability to achieve a full therapeutic effect of psoriasis therapy. “This could be for two possible reasons,” Debbaneh et al reported. “It may be a consequence of decreased drug distribution into the body due to increased body mass, or it may be a consequence of increased pro-inflammatory cytokine release as a result of increased adipocyte count.” However, this finding may be treatment specific. For example, higher body weight was an independent predictor of response to ustekinumab, providing the rationale for offering 2 weight-based dosing regimens of the drug. Overweight and obese patients also were less likely to experience clearance with adalimumab. However, studies have found no association between BMI and biologic treatment.

Weight loss through a low-calorie diet has been reported to achieve a greater reduction in psoriasis severity and a slower rebound of disease. “Interestingly, studies have shown that caloric restriction in obese subjects lowers the level of circulating inflammatory cytokines,” reported Debbaneh et al. “This may contribute to the observed beneficial effect in psoriatic disease.”

In patients whose disease has had a significant impact on quality of life, it is important that they are consulting resources online that will help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. The National Psoriasis Foundation provides useful information on diet and psoriasis, emphasizing that diet is not going to cure psoriatic disease but eating healthier can only help.

Expert Commentary

Many of my psoriasis patients ask me what should they avoid eating to prevent the psoriasis from worsening, or what did they eat to cause psoriasis to occur in the first place. I stress to patients that what they eat is not likely the cause of their psoriasis nor will avoiding certain foods prevent a flare. However, alcohol use may induce a psoriasis flare.

—Jashin J. Wu, MD (Los Angeles, California)