Psoriasis Diet

Diet for Psoriasis:

Since psoriasis is a metabolic disease, a cleansing juice fast for about two weeks is always desirable in the beginning of treatment, Carrots, beets, cucumbers and grapes may be used for juices. Juices of citrus fruits should be avoided. A warm water enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels during the fast.

After the juice fast, the patient should adopt the diet of three basic food groups, namely seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits, with emphasis on raw seeds and nuts especially sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and plenty of organically grown raw vegetables and fruits. In this regimen, the breakfast may consist of fresh fruits such as apples, grapes, pears, peaches, pineapples and a handful of raw nuts or a couple of tablespoons of raw seeds.

After noticeable improvement, goat milk, yogurt and home-made cottage cheese may be added to the diet. Juice first may be repeated after four weeks on the diet. All animal fats, including milk, butter and eggs should be avoided. Refined or processed foods and foods contain¬ing hydrogenated fats or white sugar, all condiments, tea, coffee, alcohol and tobacco should also be avoided.

Lecithin has proved effective in the treatment of psoriasis. The disease has also been helped by vitamins A and B6. The patient should take three tablespoons of granular lecithin daily along with all nutrients needed to help the liver produce its own lecithin. He should also take generous amounts of vitamins C,E and B-complex.

The hot Epsom salt bath is highly beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis. Three full baths should be taken weekly until the trouble begins to subside. The number of baths thereafter may be reduced to two weekly and finally to one. Regular sea water baths and application of sea water externally over the affected parts once a day are also beneficial.

In many cases, psoriasis responds well to sunlight. The affected parts should be frequently exposed to the sun. The patient should undertake plenty of regular exercise in fresh air, especially exposing the affected parts and deep breathing exercises. He should avoid all nervous tensions and should have adequate rest.

TREATMENT CHART FOR PSORIASIS

A – DIET

I. Fast on fruit or vegetable juices for 5 to 7 days. Use warm water enema daily during this period.

II. Thereafter, the following diet may be adopted:-

1. Upon arising: 25 black raisins soaked overnight in water along with water in which they are soaked as well as water kept overnight in a copper vessel.

2. Breakfast: Fresh fruits and a glass of buttermilk.

3. Lunch: A bowl of freshly-prepared steamed vegetables, two or three whole wheat chappatis and a glass of buttermilk.

4. Mid-afternoon: Coconut water.

5. Dinner: Fresh green vegetable salad, and green gram bean sprouts with lime juice dressing.

Note: After noticeable improvement, add milk and home¬made cottage cheese to the diet. Repeat juice fast for shorter periods, at monthly intervals.

AVOID: Animal fats, refined or processed foods and foods containing hydrogenated fats or white sugar, condiments, tea, coffee, alcohol and tobacco.

B - OTHER MEASURES

1. Hot Epsom-salts baths twice a week. Also bathe affected parts in hot water mixed with Epsom salt once a day.

2. Take sea-water bath. Also apply sea water externally over affected parts with a cotton ball once a day.

3. Sun baths and regular exercises in fresh air.

4. Avoid too frequent baths and do not use soap.

5. Yogasanas like padmasana, ekpaduttanasana, yoga mudra and shavasana.

What is a Psoriasis diet?

There is nothing like a special diet for psoriasis as such. However, psoriasis patients are often asked to restrict the consumption of certain items or types of foods. This is because there are some foods that trigger off the flare up of psoriasis symptoms. These include acidic foods, tomatoes, gluten, foods with MSG, dairy products, berries, junk food, red meats, excessively oily foods, red wine, spicy foods and soda. Therefore, a considerable reduction of these foods is an essential part of a “psoriasis diet”. Moreover, eating a well balanced diet is important in maintaining better health in general, because illnesses cause psoriases symptoms to get worse.

Psoriasis and diet

It is easy for psoriasis to get aggravated and inflamed easily and there are some foods that can help soothe an outbreak. Foods such as salmon, snapper, halibut, flaxseed, cereals that have been fortified with folic acid, high fiber foods and broccoli are believed to be good for psoriasis patients. Although there is no particular psoriasis diet plan, it is possible to reduce psoriasis, by drinking a lot of water throughout the day. Moreover, the high consumption of vegetables and some fruits is recommended by many doctors. With the exception of Vitamin C, other vitamins can help reduce psoriasis to some extent. Quite a few health experts may also advise that multi-vitamin tablets and zinc tablets be added to a daily diet, in spite of the fact that they are not recognized cures or treatment options. However, these tablets and supplements should never be taken without the recommendation of a doctor.

Guttate psoriasis diet

Guttate psoriasis is a particular type of psoriasis that is characterized by flaky macules, which are shaped like water drops. A diet that should be followed by people suffering from this form of psoriasis should be high in garlic, fish, parsley, lime and lettuce, as well as fruit, vegetables nuts and seeds.

Nevertheless, in order to control psoriasis and its symptoms, with the help of a diet, it is important to consult a doctor first.

Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis symptoms may include the formation of dry areas on the surface of skin. These patches may be itchy or painful, depending on the type of psoriasis. You may also notice the development of silvery patches on your skin that look like scabs. They make flake and fall when you scratch.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition affecting the skin cells and causing them to develop rapidly over already existing skin. While there is no permanent cure to the problem, your doctor may recommend topical skin treatments to the affected areas and a change in lifestyle and diet to stem the problem.  Psoriasis accompanied by arthritis, called psoriatic arthritis, can be disabling and painful. It is important to identify psoriasis causes before we discuss psoriasis treatment options.

Psoriasis is the result of an autoimmune problem. The white blood cells or T-lymphocyte cells supposed to attack foreign bodies and viruses attack the body’s healthy skin cells instead. This overactive development causes new skin cells to appear before the old epidermis has had a chance to slough off. This constant build up of dead cells results in patchy skin. Some factors that may cause an eruption include cold or hot weather conditions, sun burns, infections such as strep throat or thrush fever, and skin injuries and bug bites. Smoking or consuming alcohol and some medications that contain lithium may also prompt an attack. Also, stress and obesity can contribute to the problem. Genetic data reveals that if you have a family history of this skin condition, you are at a high risk of contracting psoriasis.

Psoriasis treatment. Psoriasis treatment may follow a three-pronged approach under consultation with your doctor. He/she may recommend starting with mild topical based medication, light therapy, and finally oral or injected medicines. Since psoriasis has no permanent cure and it is difficult to treat due to its changing nature, treatments differ from person to person. Thus, it is recommended that you undertake medical treatment and do not follow generic advice.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended for mild flare-ups. Your doctor may also decide to complement these with phototherapy or light therapy. To reduce the turnover of skin cells and T-cells, you may have to expose your skin to natural sunlight (in controlled proportions) and its UV properties, which stabilize the shedding of skin cells. Immunosuppressant drugs and Vitamin A infused drugs maybe also be used as part of psoriasis treatment.

Psoriasis diet. If you suffer from psoriasis, it may be helpful to maintain a diary and record what causes your flares. While the connection between psoriasis and diet is not certain, avoid triggers such as smoking, alcohol, and food items that cause allergies. A healthy psoriasis diet includes fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, fiber rich food, poultry, and seafood. You should avoid processed foods and red meat. If you are overweight, a balanced diet and regular exercise may make you more receptive to psoriasis medication.

Ongoing studies suggest that a gluten free diet may help individuals suffering from psoriasis. Particular gluten component in wheat and grains may cause skin eruptions in individuals who produce antibodies to fight it. This may also trigger psoriasis symptoms. A gluten free diet may curb psoriasis flares. It is best to check with your doctor before following a particular diet or course of medication.