Learn 6 Diets for Psoriatic Arthritis

1. The Diet Against Inflammation

The Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet are examples of diets in this category. Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and extra-virgin olive oil are abundant in these diets. They avoid meals that may cause a flare-up or increase disease activity.

Saturated fats, processed sugars, and refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, are foods to limit or avoid on the Mediterranean or Dash diet programs.

• Fresh fruits and vegetables are strong in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation. Examples include blueberries, cherries, collards, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and beet greens.

• Olive oil – The cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is high in heart-healthy fats and oleocanthal (an olive oil component), which has pain-relieving qualities similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs).

• Fish and omega-3 fatty acids — Fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, a form of polyunsaturated fatty acid with anti-inflammatory qualities that may help protect persons with PsA from heart disease.

• Whole grains, such as brown rice, whole grain bread, quinoa, barley, and wheat berries, include fiber, which may aid to reduce inflammation.

• Nuts – Peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, and pecans have been associated to reduce inflammatory levels in the body.

• Beans – High in fiber and protein, beans contain powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

However, an anti-inflammatory diet may not work for everyone with PsA or prevent the development of PsA or psoriasis. According to a 2019 study of 85,000 nurses published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the risk of acquiring psoriatic illness was the same whether they ate an anti-inflammatory diet or not.