Can Diet Help Psoriatic Arthritis

Whats The Best Psoriatic Arthritis Diet

While no single diet has been proven to treat or cure psoriatic arthritis, there are steps you can take to manage your psoriatic arthritis. In the absence of dietary guidelines for PsA, physicians recommend following a balanced, healthy diet rich in whole, fresh foods similar to those advised by the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society.

Eliminating inflammatory trigger foods may also help control psoriatic arthritis, according to a 2017 national survey of NPF members dietary habits. When survey respondents made dietary changes including cutting out alcohol, gluten, nightshade vegetables and other foods believed to cause psoriatic flares more than half experienced a reduction in PsA symptoms.

Which diets helped them achieve these results? The Pagano diet , a vegan diet, and the Paleo diet were most frequently cited. Gluten-free, low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, and vegetarian diets were also identified as beneficial.

The best, most successful diets for psoriatic arthritis incorporate anti-inflammatory and weight-loss approaches, according to researchers in the National Psoriasis Foundation study. Most of the diets mentioned by respondents offer those features.

Study authors recommended the following interventions for people with psoriatic disease:

What Causes Psoriatic Arthritis

The genes you inherit from your parents and grandparents can make you more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis. If you have genes that put you at risk of this condition, the following may then trigger it:

• being overweight

There is also an element of chance, and it might not be possible to say for certain what caused your condition.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are not contagious, so people cant catch it from one another.

Tips To Help You Lose Weight

• Keep a food diary. Studies have shown that writing down everything you eat is a critical part of sustained weight loss. Noting how you feel when you eat will help you identify emotional triggers that may cause you to overeat.
• Eat slowly. If you eat too fast, you eat more than you need to satisfy your hunger. Your brain needs time to catch up with your stomach.
• Plan your meals ahead of time so you make healthy choices. When dining out, check the menu online and decide what you will order ahead of time. Ask for dressings on the side and opt for foods that are baked, broiled or steamed versus foods that are fried or in creamy sauces. Avoid the chips and bread baskets that can add unnecessary calories to a meal.
• Eat when youâre truly hungry rather than when you are tired, anxious, or stressed. Emotional eaters tend to overeat.
• Stay hydrated. Oftentimes people mistake thirst for hunger.
• Eat breakfast. If you skip this meal, youâll be starving by lunchtime and will have more difficulty making healthy choices throughout the day.
• Find resources to help you keep track of your food choices and nutritional values, and that can offer additional support when you need it. Potential resources include CalorieKing.com and MyFitnessPal.com, which offer a searchable database of foods with nutritional values.

If youâre overweight, talk to your doctor about a weight loss approach thatâs right for you.

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This Sample Diet Can Offer Ideas And Inspiration

To simplify things, Young agreed to share some of his favorite foods and meals to promote joint and heart health.

He says there are a few general rules to keep in mind: Try to eat fish at least twice a week, and plenty of leafy green vegetables, as well as cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli.

Otherwise, pick and choose from the options below, to see what works best for you:

What Is The Relationship Between Psoriasis And Your Diet

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder. The body mistakenly attacks its own tissue, explains Wesdock. It starts overproducing skin cells, which lays down plaques on your skin. Plaques are red, scaly patches that can be itchy or painful. Sometimes psoriasis is accompanied by psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory joint condition.

Neither of these conditions is caused by anything you eat, but theres an important link between your diet and psoriasis. Many foods are known to cause inflammation throughout the body. In some people, this widespread irritation can make the symptoms of psoriasis worse.

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How Can I Get Started With A Psoriasis Diet

If youre going to change your diet to combat psoriasis, Wesdock recommends starting slowly. Jumping into a highly restrictive diet isnt usually sustainable and may deprive you of important nutrients. Instead, start by cutting out some highly processed foods.

Substitute the pastries and cookies with fresh fruit. Opt for herbal tea or water flavored with fresh fruit, mint or cucumber. If you think theres a specific food or ingredient thats triggering psoriasis flare-ups, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian.

Being overweight or obese can also make psoriasis worse, so you may want to start a weight loss plan that includes fewer calories and smaller portion sizes. Any psoriasis treatment diet should be accompanied by healthy lifestyle choices. Get plenty of sleep and regular exercise, and try to reduce stress in your life. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about a plan to quit.

How Will Psoriatic Arthritis Affect Me

The effects of psoriatic arthritis can vary a great deal between different people. This makes it difficult to offer advice on what you should expect.

Psoriatic arthritis can cause long-term damage to joints, bones and other tissue in the body, especially if it isnt treated.

Starting the right treatment as soon as possible will give you the best chance of keeping your arthritis under control and minimise damage to your body allowing you to lead a full and active life with psoriatic arthritis.

You dont need to face arthritis alone. If you need support or advice, call our Helpline today on . Our advisors can give you expert information and advice about arthritis and can offer support whenever you need it most.

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Whats Good For Psoriatic Arthritis May Also Be Good For The Heart

Its really important to select foods that have anti-inflammatory characteristics, says Young about the optimal psoriatic arthritis diet.

Its also important for people with psoriatic disease to eat heart-healthy foods, because they face increased cardiovascular risk. A study published in May 2021 in The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 31 percent of people with psoriasis had metabolic syndrome, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, compared with people without psoriasis.

A meta-analysis published in January 2017 in the journal Arthritis Care and Research, involving a total of 33,000 psoriatic-arthritis patients from 11 studies, found subjects were 43 percent more likely to develop heart disease compared with the general population. It stands to reason, then, that Some of the diet approaches for psoriatic arthritis could help with heart function as well, says Young.

People with psoriatic arthritis are also more likely to experience obesity, and excess weight can, in turn, exacerbate joint pain and even make medications less effective. A diet designed to help shed excess pounds, under the supervision of a doctor, can help mitigate symptoms associated with psoriatic arthritis, as well as control high blood pressure to protect heart health.

Is There A Specific Diet To Manage Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms

It’s not necessary or even beneficial, in many cases, to follow a commercialized diet for psoriatic arthritis . Instead, focusing on eating whole, unprocessed foods and limiting the amount of processed or refined foods you eat is a better approach if you’re not sure how to do this on your own, working with a registered dietician or nutritionist will allow you to develop a customized plan that works for you.

“There are certainly some diet principles that help all patients, but you have to find one that is practical and sustainable,” says Dr. Koval. “This, along with conventional medications and treatments, can go a long way in controlling symptoms.”

The only prescribed diet Dr. Young suggests for people with psoriatic arthritis is the Mediterranean diet, primarily because all the foods you eat are known to be anti-inflammatory .

” rich in fruits and veggies, which contain antioxidants, and is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids…which help reduce inflammation as well as stiffness in the joints,” Dr. Young says.

Plus, the diet is really more of a way of life as opposed to a traditional “diet,” which means it isn’t restrictive, doesn’t cut out entire food groups, and isn’t focused on counting calories.

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Keep Your Energy High

Eating several small meals a day can help you beat fatigue by providing steady fuel. Carry healthy snacks with you for times when you’re hungry on the go. Consider carrots, nuts, grapes, or apple slices.

While eating frequently can help, keep an eye on your portion sizes. The extra pounds you gain from overeating can worsen joint pain and contribute to poor health. Check with your doctor to determine the healthiest weight for you.

What Are Foods That Trigger Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms

Now that you know what you should be eating, lets talk about what you should be avoiding if you are living with psoriatic arthritis. While the above list of foods are noted for their anti-inflammatory properties, there are foods that are known for just the opposite. That is, they are known to cause inflammation. Naturally, these are just the types of foods you should avoid if you are living with psoriatic arthritis.

Saturated fats, sugar, alcohol, and simple carbohydrates are all triggers for psoriatic arthritis symptoms to flare up. Theyre also key factors in weight gain and obesity. As your weight increases, the stress on your joints also increases, so it goes hand in hand that keeping your weight down is beneficial for managing psoriatic arthritis.

Whats on the bad food list for individuals living with psoriatic arthritis?

• Processed meats

Similarly, the foods on this list are ones that you would find on many lists for foods to avoid. It is only natural that our bodies do well with more nutrient-dense foods than ones that are processed, enriched, and full of sugar.

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How Do Foods Cause Inflammation

Studies are ongoing about how certain foods trigger an inflammatory response. Research suggests that some foods, especially highly processed ones, put your bodys defense mechanisms into overdrive.

For example, fatty foods can increase inflammation in adipose tissue , which is throughout your body. Ongoing fat tissue inflammation greatly increases your risk of psoriasis. It also increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other chronic health conditions.

Vegetarian Or Vegan Diet

A vegetarian diet and a vegan diet are similar in that they both focus on eating an abundance of plant foods, such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. What sets them apart is that a vegetarian diet occasionally includes dairy, whereas a vegan diet doesnt include any foods from animal sources, including by-products such as honey or gelatin.

Some research suggests that individuals who follow a vegetarian diet for 2-years or more may be able to lower levels of C-reactive protein, which is a key marker of inflammation in the body.

Its worth noting, vegan and vegetarian diets may lack some important nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and protein. This is why its important to work with a health professional to ensure youre getting all the nutrients you need. In some cases, supplements may be necessary.

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Dietary Interventions In Psoriatic Arthritis Study

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that affects 1 in 400 Canadians and can lead to significant joint damage and disability. Despite the availability of effective medications, many patients continue to experience debilitating joint pain and stiffness that have significant impact on their quality of life.

Patients with psoriatic arthritis often seek information about diets to assist with improving their symptoms. However, little is known about the effect of different diets on disease activity in psoriatic arthritis. To help answer this question, Dr Lihi Eder, rheumatologist and scientist at Womens College Hospital and the University of Toronto, and her collaborators from the University of Pennsylvania and New York University, have launched a clinical trial to investigate if dietary modifications can improve symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

Dr. Eder and her team are looking for research participants with psoriatic arthritis who are willing to modify their diet for six months following a consultation from a dietician to examine the effects of dietary changes.

You may be eligible to participate in the clinical trial if you are:

• Age 18 to 80 years
• Have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis by a rheumatologist
• On stable treatment for psoriatic arthritis for the past three months
• Willing to modify your diet for six months

*Please note additional criteria may apply.

A Healthy Diet For A Healthy Weight

The diet most proven to help manage symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, according to the medical board of the National Psoriasis Foundation, is one that helps people with the condition reach a healthy weight.

The reason: Excess pounds may make it harder to control psoriatic arthritis symptoms.

People whose body mass index fell in the obese category were 48 percent less likely than those with a healthy BMI to have minimal symptoms like pain and swollen joints in a study published in the journal Annals of Rheumatic Disease. People who fell in the overweight BMI category were 35 percent less likely.

Obesity may make certain psoriatic arthritis treatments, including disease-modifying drugs and biologics, less effective and reduce patients changes of getting to low disease activity or remission. In fact, a narrative review published in Rheumatology and Therapy found that people who lost five percent or more of their baseline weight were more likely to have minimal disease activity.

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What Foods Should I Eat

When it comes to psoriatic arthritis, many of the foods on the good list are the same types found on other types of healthy diet lists such as for heart health, diabetes, and cancer. Many of these foods have the effect of decreasing inflammation. Naturally, since joint inflammation is a major symptom of psoriatic arthritis, these types of foods are beneficial for people who have this disease.

What should you eat to decrease inflammation? As a starting base, your diet should include:

When cooking, use healthy oils, such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil. Great herbs to use include ginger and turmeric, which are also noted for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Many of the foods listed for helping to improve psoriatic arthritis are ones with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The following list of foods are known for just that.

• Avocado: This fruit is one of the best healthy fats out there. Avocados are high in potassium, beta-carotene, and Vitamins C, E, and K.

• Greens: Leafy greens, including collards, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and beet greens are great anti-oxidant and Vitamin K boosters.

• Fatty fish: Anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids are the key in fatty fish. Try trout and salmon as part of your psoriatic arthritis diet.

Pregnancy Fertility And Breastfeeding

Psoriatic arthritis wont affect your chances of having children. But if youre thinking of starting a family, its important to discuss your drug treatment with a doctor well in advance. If you become pregnant unexpectedly, talk to your rheumatology department as soon as possible.

The following treatments must be avoided when trying to start a family, during pregnancy and when breastfeeding:

• retinoid tablets and creams.

Theres growing evidence that some other drugs for psoriatic arthritis are safe to take during pregnancy. Your rheumatology department will be able to tell you which ones.

It will help if you try for a baby when your arthritis is under control.

Its also important that your arthritis is kept under control as much as possible during pregnancy. A flare-up of your arthritis during pregnancy can be harmful for you and your baby.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can run in families. If you have either condition, you could pass on genes that may increase your childrens risk though its difficult to predict.

As treatments continue to improve, people with psoriatic arthritis in years to come can expect a better outlook. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor.

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What Is Gluten Free

With gluten-free diets getting more and more attention these days, you may wonder if going gluten-free would help reduce your psoriasis symptoms.

The jury is still out on eliminating gluten â a complex protein found in wheat, barley and rye. In a small number of cases, eliminating gluten can lead to improvements. However, following a gluten-free diet, which is very restrictive, is a major commitment. Itâs not a step you should take unnecessarily.

You should discuss dietary modifications, such as following a gluten-free diet, with your health care provider prior to making any diet adjustments.

Foods To Avoid If You Have Psoriatic Arthritis

When you have psoriatic arthritis, you want to stay away from foods that can make the inflammation in your body worse. These include:

• Alcohol: It makes your liver work harder and disrupts the way your organs work together.
• Sugar: It sends out things called cytokines that create inflammation in your body.
• Processed foods: They contain trans fats that can start inflammation throughout your body.
• Diet soda: If itâs sweetened with aspartame, your body might think thatâs a foreign substance and start an immune response.
• Fried foods: They contain trans fats that can start inflammation throughout your body.
• Processed meats: They contain saturated fats, which can make inflammation worse.
• Red meat: It contains saturated fats, which can make inflammation worse.
• Dairy: These foods contain saturated fats, which can make inflammation worse.

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