Psoriasis causes inflammation and a quicker turnover of skin cells, leaving itchy, red patches of skin. You can try changing your diet to help relieve some symptoms.

When too many cells rise to the surface of the skin, the body can’t slough them off fast enough. They pile up, forming itchy, scaling, red patches.

Psoriasis can develop at any age but often has two peaks of onset. The first usually occurs between 20–30 years of age, and the second between 50–60 years of age. The main symptoms include itchy, red patches of thick skin with silvery scales on the:

  • elbows
  • knees
  • scalp
  • back
  • face
  • palms
  • feet

Psoriasis can be irritating and stressful. Creams, ointments, medications, and light therapy may help. Some research suggests diet might also relieve symptoms.

Research on diet and psoriasis is limited. Still, some small studies have provided clues into how food may affect the disease.

Low calorie diet

Some research shows that low calorie or low-energy diet may reduce the severity of psoriasis.

A 2018 review of 10 clinical trials conducted between 2003 and 2016 found that a reduced-calorie diet was associated with improved psoriasis in some trials. Results showed that weight loss improved symptoms in participants who also received biologics or oral medications.

Researchers speculated that people who have obesity may experience inflammation in the body, making psoriasis worse. A diet that increases the chances of weight loss may be helpful, but researchers are unclear what exactly caused the improvement in symptoms.

Gluten-free diet

According to some studies, it depends on the person’s sensitivities whether a gluten-free diet will help with psoriasis. Those with celiac disease or wheat allergies may find relief by avoiding gluten.

A 2020 review evaluated studies that looked into the link between a gluten-free diet and psoriasis. The review mentions that, overall, evidence points toward an association between improved psoriasis and a gluten-free diet, but more research is still needed.

One 2020 study on women in the United States found that gluten intake is not a risk factor for psoriasis. However, the study didn’t test a strictly gluten-free diet.

Antioxidant-rich diet

Fruits and vegetables may be especially important for patients with psoriasis. They are packed with antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory effects for people with psoriasis.

A 2023 review on diet and psoriasis found many studies that showed evidence for improved psoriasis conditions for people who followed diets high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats and unsaturated fats. These fats may be pro-inflammatory and can worsen psoriasis, an inflammatory condition.

Antioxidant-rich diets, especially the Mediterranean diet, have also been associated with an improvement in psoriasis symptoms.

Antioxidant-rich diets are also associated with less bodily inflammation and, therefore, may have positive effects on other diseases such as:

Fish oil

Studies have shown that fish oil, which contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, may improve symptoms of psoriasis. Fish oil is anti-inflammatory, so it may help with inflammatory conditions like psoriasis.

A 2020 review looked at 18 randomized controlled trials involving fish oil and psoriasis. Some studies showed an improvement in psoriasis when fish oil was combined with conventional treatments. Other studies found little to no effect of fish oil as a monotherapy (taken without other treatments) on improved psoriasis.

Incorporating fish oil into your diet, along with conventional psoriasis therapies, may help improve psoriasis, but more research is needed to determine if this is more than an association.

Alcohol consumption may cause inflammation in some people, which may worsen their psoriasis.

According to a 2021 review, it may cause the overexpression of an enzyme found in skin lesions of those with psoriasis.

Though we need more research on alcohol consumption and its connection to psoriasis, cutting back may help ease psoriasis symptoms.

Current treatments focus on managing the symptoms of psoriasis, which tend to come and go.

Creams and ointments help reduce inflammation and skin cell turnover, reducing the appearance of patches. Ingredients found in topical treatments may include:

  • coal tar
  • dithranol
  • corticosteroids
  • vitamin D analog
  • retinoids

Light therapy has been found to help reduce flare-ups in some people.

For more severe cases, doctors may use medications, such as methotrexate or cyclosporine, that suppress the immune system or block the action of specific immune cells.

Other treatments include:

  • biologics
  • JAK inhibitors
  • PDE4 inhibitors

Dermatologists have long recommended that a well-balanced diet is beneficial for those with psoriasis. That means lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

In addition, maintaining an appropriate weight and avoiding alcohol may provide relief.

You can try changing your diet in addition to applying topical psoriasis medications, taking oral medication, or using injectable treatments.