The Mediterranean diet has long been hailed as helpful in the management of many chronic diseases, psoriasis included. It’s an eating pattern that emphasizes:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains like whole-wheat bread and brown rice
- Healthy fats from olive oil and nuts
- Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids
- Poultry and fish over red meat, which is limited
A key selling point for the Mediterranean diet is that it limits ingredients that typically cause inflammation in the body like red meat, fried foods, sugary drinks and ultra-processed snacks. At the same time, it encourages fresh produce, salmon, tuna, chicken and turkey, beans and legumes — all of which are anti-inflammatory and aid in lessening psoriasis symptoms, says Daveluy.
“There are several studies that show if psoriasis patients stick to an anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean-style diet or intermittent fasting, their psoriasis is less severe and medications actually work better,” he says.
In one study, Spanish researchers conducting a randomized clinical trial with 38 psoriasis patients found that those who followed a Mediterranean diet for 16 weeks saw a 75 percent reduction in psoriasis severity compared with no change in their counterparts who were advised to follow a low-fat diet.
The diet is high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber — a combination that counters oxidative stress and fights inflammation in the body by suppressing pro-inflammatory pathways, says Chris Adigun, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Because psoriasis is often linked with other health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, the Mediterranean diet can be helpful by targeting the underlying inflammation that connects both skin symptoms and these comorbidities, she says.
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