Psoriasis is still considered one of the most mysterious diseases. Science has identified several of the most likely causes of its formation, but the real processes preceding the skin problems characteristic of this disease are still unknown. A special role in the prevention of relapse is nutrition. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the list of prohibited foods for psoriasis and the weekly menu that is optimal for patients.
Manifestations of psoriasis and the most likely causes of development
Psoriasis is a complex dermatological autoimmune disease. Its main difference from similar ailments is that psoriasis is not transmitted by contact and cannot be completely cured. Doctors and pharmacists have long believed that the disease is transmitted by gene. Modern research has refuted this theory.
The theory of the genetic nature of psoriasis was replaced by the following - viral pathology. Allegedly, the development of the disease can be triggered by a viral infection unknown to science. The proof of this theory is the fact that during an infectious disease the symptoms of psoriasis worsen and the patient's condition worsens. Meanwhile, the progression of the disease can be explained by a weakening of the immune system, which is quite characteristic during the period of the disease. Medicine could not identify a virus that would cause the development of psoriasis.
Modern medicine believes that the following factors are most likely the main cause of psoriasis:
- mechanical damage to the skin by people with thin and dry skin;
- abuse of certain medications to which the body's immune cells respond in the form of a prolonged skin lesion;
- abuse of antibacterial hygiene products;
- unhealthy diet: an abundance of fatty foods and foods that contribute to the development of allergies;
- alcohol abuse.
General nutritional principles for psoriasis
During an exacerbation of the disease, prohibited foods should be completely excluded from the diet. With psoriasis during this period, nutrition should be fractional (small portions of 200-250 grams 4-5 times a day). The patient should in no case be starving or malnourished - this, on the contrary, will provoke an even worse deterioration of the skin condition and may contribute to the appearance of ulcers.
Depending on which area of the skin is affected by the disease, the nutrition plan may vary slightly. For example, the list of prohibited products for foot psoriasis will be more extensive, since it is very difficult to achieve remission with skin lesions on the lower extremities. Oddly enough, it is easiest to achieve remission with peeling on the face - in this case, most often, the use of medicated ointments is sufficient, and strict adherence to dietary rules may not be necessary.
The need for drinking
Everyone should drink at least a liter of clean water per day. If his activity is associated with physical activity, then this number increases significantly.
It is very important to observe the water regime. Even if the patient adheres to the nutritional plan and excludes foods forbidden during psoriasis, but drinks little clean water at the same time, no improvement is worth waiting for. Water is an ideal natural detox that removes all harmful metabolites and compounds from the body with urine.
General list of banned products for psoriasis
Depending on the degree and severity of the disease, the diet should be adjusted. During remission, you can allow yourself a little junk food once or twice a week. If peeling has begun on the skin, informing that an exacerbation will soon begin, it is urgently necessary to exclude products prohibited during psoriasis from the diet. After the remission starts again and the skin is cleansed - you can gradually begin to enrich the menu with a variety of dishes. But still, you will need to adhere to the principles of proper nutrition.
List of banned foods for psoriasis:
- fatty meats (especially pork and lamb);
- white flour baked goods (in some cases even limited to whole-grain flour products), especially fresh, white bread, butter biscuits;
- rich soups on broth on bones and meat;
- fish pickles and canned food;
- factory and self-made sausages;
- smoked fish;
- food should be as lean as possible, since most seasonings are allergens;
- dairy products with a fat content of more than 3.2%;
- citrus fruits - in case of individual intolerance to the patient;
- vegetables - tomatoes, legumes, eggplant, bell pepper;
- coffee and black tea;
- alcoholic beverages of any strength;
- confectionery with trans fats, butter creams, cakes and pastries;
- seafood - in doubt, they should be excluded only with individual intolerance;
- easily digestible cereals (semolina, barley);
- offal - heart, kidney, liver of cattle and pigs.
Bakery products: completely exclude!
Why are bread and flour products on the list of banned foods for psoriasis? After all, simple bread, especially dried bread, is a source of carbohydrates, which are the food for the human brain and nervous system.
The answer is known to all patients with psoriasis. alas, bakery products exacerbate almost immediately, within a few days after eating. Doctors attribute this reaction to the fact that gluten, which is contained in flour, causes intolerance in almost all patients with psoriasis.
On the forms of people with psoriasis, it is often noted that if you replace simple bread with "Swedish bread" (crackers), the predicted exacerbation will be less pronounced and part of the spots will respond with a decrease in activity.
Alcoholic beverages of any strength: a ban forever
Not touching the harmfulness of alcohol to all other systems of the body, it is worth noting its effect on the ability to influence the severity of spots on the skin with psoriasis.
Alas, even in the most expensive drinks, there are often many dyes and unnatural ingredients. Plus, the action of ethyl alcohol undermines the body's immune forces (especially with regular abuse).
People who are used to drinking regularly have virtually no chance of getting rid of stains on their skin. Even if the peeling disappears, white traces of psoriasis will remain, since the body is in conditions of regular intoxication and it simply does not have the strength to regenerate the skin.
It is better to refuse alcoholic beverages even during a period of complete remission. Especially harmful in this regard are cheap carbonated cocktails with dyes, inexpensive draft and canned beer, and wines in tetra-pack packages.
Fruits and berries that most often cause an allergic reaction
Most people believe that any medical nutrition involves unlimited consumption of any fruits and vegetables. But this is not so, especially with psoriasis. Prohibited products (for women and men the list is the same), in addition to the above, is:
- tomatoes, legumes, eggplant, bell pepper;
- strawberries, pineapple, melon, strawberries, blueberries, mangoes, cranberries.
Eating citrus is in question - you should track your individual reaction. If, after eating an orange, the spots began to grow or began to peel off and itch - it is better not to take risks and do not eat oranges anymore. By this principle, you can track the reaction to each fruit or vegetable. Most often, the most problematic fruits and vegetables are those that have a sour taste and a red or raspberry color.
The harm of coffee and black tea with psoriasis
Morning coffee has become a necessary morning ritual for many people. Meanwhile, caffeine is a rather powerful stimulant, which, moreover, can also provoke undesirable skin reactions. In some cases, it is coffee with syrups and additives that can trigger an exacerbation of psoriasis. It does not matter, with or without sugar, with milk or without - coffee is on the list of prohibited foods for psoriasis. Both women and men must, alas, refuse a fragrant invigorating drink. But is there an alternative in the form of tea? Unfortunately not.
Black tea has a less stimulating effect, and there is less caffeine in it. There is tianin in green, which in rare cases can also contribute to exacerbation of psoriasis. Whether to drink tea depends on the individual reaction of each individual to tianine and caffeine. Rarely, people with psoriasis can afford these drinks, as they have often noted a deterioration in skin condition.
Damage to fatty meats in psoriasis
Pork, lamb, duck - dishes from these types of meat are very tasty. But they are harmful even to healthy people, because I force the liver and organs of the gastrointestinal tract to work "to the fullest." In some cases, the abuse of fat and sausages can lead to the development of pancreatitis and cholecystitis.
People with skin problems are no exception. We have listed above which foods are prohibited in psoriasis. The list is impressive. And fatty meat is in first place in it, as it can lead to exacerbation literally after one use.
A sample menu for a week during an exacerbation of psoriasis
You can swap meals and replace drinks or desserts.
Monday
For breakfast - low-fat kefir, lunch - stew from cabbage and zucchini, goulash from turkey fillet, a packet of diet bread, afternoon snack - two apples, for dinner - a piece of pink salmon baked on the grill.
Tuesday
For breakfast - protein omelet of several eggs with the addition of boiled cauliflower, lunch - lean borsch, snack - a briquette of low-fat cottage cheese, dinner - oatmeal with honey or olive oil.
Wednesday
Breakfast - barley porridge, lunch - goulash made from a piece of veal (with a minimum fat content) and stewed cabbage, a glass of dried fruit compote, a snack - apples. Dinner - steam fish cakes.
Thursday
For breakfast - low-fat kefir and diet bread, lunch - stew from cabbage and zucchini, goulash from turkey fillet, a snack - briquette cottage cheese or apples, dinner - if desired within the framework of the reasonable.
Friday
For breakfast - oatmeal with dried fruits, lunch - pilaf with chicken, lean borsch, snack - an apple, for dinner - chum salmon baked on the grill.
Saturday
Breakfast - smoothie from kefir and banana, lunch - okroshka, a pack of diet bread, a snack - two apples, for dinner - a piece of pink salmon baked on the grill.
Sunday
Breakfast - a glass of dried fruit compote, pearl barley porridge, lunch - cabbage and zucchini stew, turkey fillet goulash, a packet of diet bread, snack - apples.
What can I cook?
We previously listed prohibited foods for psoriasis. Recipes of dishes that can be prepared with such an ailment are given below.
The disease often becomes the reason why a person cannot eat previously loved treats. Patients cannot build a menu even for a week without products forbidden during psoriasis, let alone a longer diet. Here are simple recipes to help diversify your daily diet:
- The sweet apple baked in the oven tastes like jam. The process is simple: cut a large fruit into two parts, sprinkle with sugar and place in the microwave or in the oven.
- Chicken cutlets: Grind 500 grams of chicken fillet in a blender or meat grinder, add salt and onion grated, form medium-sized cutlets and bake in the oven or fry in a pan.
- You can safely bake pink salmon or chum salmon, previously grated with salt, on the grill or in the oven - with vegetables or separately: this is a satisfying and healthy fish, which very rarely causes exacerbation of psoriasis.
- Vegetable stew: rinse and cut into pieces cauliflower, zucchini, one potato, celery, broccoli. You should take an average of 300 grams of each vegetable. Place in a pan, pour 300 ml of water, add salt and a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Simmer for forty minutes under a closed lid.