Are your comfort foods igniting a psoriasis flare?

Winter can be especially harsh on skin.

Scaling, itching, and cracking often feel inevitable this time of year.

For most, a little lotion does the trick.

But for psoriasis sufferers? It could signal the start of a dreaded flare.

New research suggests comfort foods may contribute more to flares than the dry, brittle air.

The “processed-psoriasis” link

Picture this: It’s Friday night. What’s on the menu?

If your answer includes cola and a frozen pizza… you might be toying with a psoriasis flare.

In fact, a new study out of France uncovered a link between psoriasis disease activity and ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Researchers analyzed data from over 18,500 participants in an ongoing cohort study, using questionnaires on diet, physical activity, health status, and more.

Participants self-reported data on diet (including consumption of ultra-processed foods), physical activity, health status (including psoriasis activity), and more.

Among participants, 90 percent had no history of psoriasis, 6 percent were in remission (non-active disease activity), and 4 percent were experiencing active flares. Here’s what stood out…

For one, those with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 were more likely to be in the “active” disease activity group. They also tended to have prevalent comorbidities.

But here’s the kicker…

It starts with “I”

Those with “active” psoriasis consumed ultra-processed foods more frequently than those without the condition.

Steven Daveluy, MD, of Wayne State University explains: “This means that the foods don’t just impact our bodies by increasing our weight and body fat. The foods themselves are triggering inflammation.”

Finally! Someone acknowledges the “I” word: inflammation.

It’s no surprise that research is highlighting this link between UPFs and psoriasis. After all, inflammation is the root of most disease. And yes, psoriasis is the result of an inflammatory autoimmune reaction.

So, while accepted mainstream wisdom may deny any clear-cut dietary links, there’s no doubt that what you eat can be a huge psoriasis trigger.

If you’re a psoriasis sufferer, I encourage you to re-think your diet. Stay away from the processed junk and choose healthy, whole foods instead. For some guidance, check out my very own, The A-List Diet.

And to learn more about the link between inflammation and disease, check out my comprehensive learning tool, my Essential Guide to Combating Inflammation.

Source:

“Ultraprocessed Foods Implicated in Psoriasis Activity.” MedpageToday, 12/2/2024. (medpagetoday.com/dermatology/psoriasis/113163)