Diet and food guidance for psoriasis

No diet cures psoriasis. Healthy eating and a healthy weight can reduce inflammation and may improve control, especially when combined with medical treatment.

Helpful habits

• Healthy weight: losing weight, if overweight, can improve psoriasis and make treatment work better
• Plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and pulses
• Omega-3 foods: fatty fish, flaxseed and walnuts may have mild anti-inflammatory effects
• Lean protein: fish, eggs, dal and chicken
• Healthy oils: such as olive, mustard or groundnut oil in moderation
• Water, to keep skin hydrated

Foods and habits to limit

• Alcohol: linked with more flares and poorer treatment response
• Processed foods, sugary drinks and excess red meat
• Fried food and excess saturated fat
• Smoking, which strongly worsens psoriasis

Special situations

• Coeliac disease: people with psoriasis and proven coeliac disease may benefit from a gluten-free diet, but there is no benefit for others
• avoid alcohol completely, and take folic acid as prescribed