Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet? - PaleoHacks.com

Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2010-03-08T11:03:06Z

I'm looking for people who know and/or have experienced changes in their psoriasis with a paleo diet/lifestyle.

I've been having a little bit of psoriasis around the elbows and knees for some 7 years. I was generally healthy and fit, and was eating a 'normal' european diet, when it started. Stress does not seem to infuence this.

Since going paleo (1,5 years ago), I've definitely seen the psoriasis improve, and last summer it was completely gone. This winter it has returned, but really in little amounts.

I'm interested in what other people have experienced, and what specific dietary/lifestyle changes brought improvement, or made things worse.

I've found that sunlight surely is important! I've been taking (orally) Vit D for 2 months, and I think this works, but am nor sure yet. I don't use cortisone (it's not that bad), and I don't use the Vit D ointment, because I want to 'measure my status'.

My jury is still out on the dairy thing. Butter is no problem at all, but milk (which I drank in huge amounts all my life) does seem to cause some internal discomfort, and maybe some increased psoriasis. So now I'm on a very low dairy regime (occasional bit of yoghurt and cheese), but still use high amounts of butter.

Does anybody has some advice, some experiences? Literature and references would be nice to.

Thanks,

Pieter

Answer by NickW for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2010-03-08T11:21:16Z

Hi Pieter,

I had very mild psoriasis (more like a perpetual dry-ish patch of skin) on my side, which has gone away in the past month of going primal. Other than the normal paleo requirements, here are my changes:

Higher amounts of fish, and a fish oil supplement, in my diet. Butter used, but no other dairy. No soap, no shampoo (sorry, don't know if it's kosher to link to my own stuff)

I think I'd attribute most of the change to my no-soap regimen, though. It's a blessing considering it's still winter weather in Norway - no dry skin.

Answer by David Moss for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2010-03-08T11:37:26Z

Psoriasis is discussed here. Basic points: vitamin D, healthy gut flora, decrease inflammation, all of which paleo should help with.

Answer by Nero for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2010-03-08T11:44:00Z

Beside other issues I´ve psoriasis + neurodermatitis. Nearly symptom free with keto diet. Most important in my case: lots of n-3, good fats (ghee/red palm) amounts depending on skin dryness (eating proper fats = best cream). No fruits + nuts + bacon + pork stuff. Alcohol is also a trigger. I also take zinc, selenium and D3. Good gut flora is also important; pre-/probiotics.

Answer by HealthRediscovery for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2010-03-08T15:16:54Z

I was able to cure my psoriasis at around age 16 by strictly not eating anything with added sugar- no desert foods whatsoever, except maybe after really intense exercise. This sounds simple, but I am still the only one I know that never eats desert. This probably also meant other improvements in my diet like I was eating mostly real food, etc. I ate a lot of "healthy whole grains" back then (no white bread) and maybe a piece of fruit a day, and was definitely not low-carb and was not paleo.

Recently I have had some dry (psoriasis?) skin which I am certain is from stress and no sun. Now that I am de-stressing it is healing.

Perricone has successfully treated skin conditions with diet for a long time. He says they are caused by inflammation and the general solution is: reduce stress, increase omega-3, and get rid of sugar. Of course you can do even better than his advice by going more paleo (he thinks saturated fat is bad, etc).

Answer by Pieter D for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2011-01-17T15:53:36Z

I hope this is allowed, but I want to point to Robb Wolf's forum. Some interesting ideas on psoriasis there:

http://robbwolf.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=12

Answer by Pieter D for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2011-01-17T16:05:41Z

from Loren Cordains Paleo Diet Newsletter (november 13 2009):

Although no clinical trials to date have tested the efficacy of treating psoriasis patients with the Paleo Diet, a substantial amount of evidence exists to indicate that it would be therapeutic. I have previously shown how diet may be linked to the etiology and promotion of rheumatoid arthritis via a process of 3-way molecular mimicry in which the immune system mistakenly attacks self tissue because of antigens leaking through from the gut2. I believe a similar situation may exist for psoriasis patients. Here’s why: There is no doubt that psoriasis is largely a cross reactive T-cell mediated disease3 involving environmental agents that elicit the disease in genetically susceptible individuals. The major genetic determinant of psoriasis is the major histocompatibility complex with the HLA-Cw*0602 allele showing the strongest association4. As we pointed out in our recent paper2, peripheral activation of T-cells in the gut likely underlies many autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis. Dietary lectins from cereals such as wheat (wheat germ agglutinin -- WGA) or from beans phytohemagglutinin (PHA) increase intestinal permeability and allow intestinal pathogens and the lectins themselves continual peripheral immune system stimulation2. Psoriasis patients show increased intestinal permeability5 and gluten free diets improve disease symptoms in psoriasis patients6,7. Elevated inflammatory cytokine (INF-gamma, TNF-apha, IL-2) are hallmarks of psoriasis8 & both WGA and PHA stimulate overproduction of these cytokines in peripheral mononuclear cells2. WGA, PHA and PNA (peanut agglutinin) all rapidly cross the intestinal barrier and appear in plasma in physiological concentrations within 1-3 hours after ingestion2,9. I believe that by eliminating all grains, all legumes (peanuts are legumes) and dairy products and by increasing the n-3 content of the diet10, many patients with psoriasis may have amelioration or remission of disease symptoms. Increased dietary vitamin D or sunlight exposure may also prove therapeutic11.

Answer by daidy for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2011-01-18T01:02:26Z

I had moderate psoriasis. Mine started clearing up after I went paleo. Now most of it on my body is gone except for a few tiny spots. I think increased sun exposure this past summer + Vit D supplements this winter made the most difference for me. I still have scalp psoriasis but that's gotten better even though I quit using any medication on it.

Answer by Beastie Girl for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2011-01-20T09:07:02Z

I suffer from inverse psoriasis, which manifests itself by red, shiny, inflamed and sore patches of skin in the folds of the body (ie where thigh meets pubic region, under the arm or the fold of a breast). I also itch like a mad thing, and I mean itch constantly, non-stop and without end during winter, because of the cold (I also live in Northern Europe, so it gets COLD here). I personally have found that all the dietary changes in the world have made no difference, even thought I take fish oils and mega doses of D3 - the only thing that's helped has been a half-dose every day of Mark Sisson's Damage Control Master Formula, which he sells on his site. It's #*(king expensive, but as I said, I only take one packet a day, which spreads the costs over two months istead of one, which helps - but it does mean I can get as cold as I like in winter and I never itch. I would pay the world for that!

Answer by Rob for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2011-05-05T07:42:18Z

The Paleo Diet eliminates refined or processed foods which seems to be a major trigger for Psoriasis. Coffee, Alcohol, and Nicotine also seem to be major triggers. I personally have found that a water fast, in which I have nothing but pure spring water for three straight days and nights causes a major remission in many of my Psoriasis patches, including the really stubborn ones. I then find that I can maintain this remission with a Paleo type diet. I can't say I'm strict Paleo, but I do try to eat only natural foods and vegetarian fed meat and eggs as well as wild caught fish. I hope this helps anyone looking for a natural way to keep their Psoriasis under control.

Answer by andrew for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2011-05-05T09:32:16Z

My psoriaisis flared up badly shortly after starting paleo, but I amn sure that it was because I was able, for the first time in YEARS, to stop inhaled steroids and prednisone pills for Asthma.

Once the asthma was gone and steroids stopped, I had the biggest flare up of psoriaisis that I have had - one very large weeping patch on my leg was particularly nasty. I had to go to the GP who gave me a steroid ointment. That helped clear it away - but over the months that followed, keeping to fairly strict paleo eating, I have stopped using the oint,ent and the patches are almost gone.

So my view is , yes, paleo is a great way of treating it.

Answer by Sergey for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2011-05-05T10:53:47Z

Nope. I have very palm and sole psoriasis, and very mild on my elbows and head. I've been on paleo for about a year, and psoriasis hasn't changed at all. My ulcerative colitis improved significantly though.

Answer by Ben for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2011-05-05T12:58:22Z

Hi Pieter! I have had great luck with paleo and psoriasis. I had it on my scalp and a little on my face. I don't do dairy, and really limit nuts, but the thing that seems to make it flair up the most is alcohol. One beer and it's back. If I stick to strict no-dairy paleo, it's like I never had it.

Answer by Gavin Morrice for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2011-05-08T22:08:38Z

I'm 24 - had guttate/plaque psoriasis since early childhood. I've had some bad flareups - the worst my dermo had ever seen.

Had never been completely clear until the last 6 weeks when I've stuck to a rigid paleo diet.

I do eat: lots of eggs;lots of animal fats; lots of vegetables;lots of fish;a little dairy (only milk in coffee)

I don't eat: anything from a packet; sugar; legumes; grains (of any description);

For me, paleo seems to do the trick :)

Answer by Mike for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2011-07-23T09:12:45Z

Hi, I can say , that moving 1 year ago on diet - my own one : no crap food, lots vegs, fruits, proteins, improved my psoriasis dramatically. I just about starting paleo what is not difficult, as already my eating is almost paleo. Anyway, my condition never been as good as it is now.

Answer by NoGlutenEver for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2011-09-27T18:22:00Z

Have you considered testing for celiac or gluten intolerance?

related research here:

http://www.dermaharmony.com/psoriasis/celiacandpsoriasis.aspx

Answer by John for Does your psoriasis improve on a paleo-diet?

2012-05-24T18:34:35Z

Hello,

I am 32 years old and have had psoriasis since I was 21. This was the first year where I accepted the use of rx creams for my psoriasis. I noticed little improvements and not that great. Since I was 21 there has only been one year in which I was psoriasis free throughout the winter. I was 24 and in the military. First let me say this story combines the end of one winter and full next year winter. I went down to Yuma Az. in the April with very bad psoriasis from that winter, I live in New England and within two weeks and this was wearing pants and long sleeve shirts all the time my psoriasis completely cleared as well as warts on my hand had disappeared. The next winter I was in Iraq, and I never got psoriasis. I was very stressed out, the temperature would get down below freezing, the water for showers was diluted in chlorine. I know the dessert does wonders for my skin, the dry heat, with lots of sunshine probably helped, as did my diet. I only drank bottled water over there, I ate a diet high in fish, meat, veggie, and fruit. I drank tea and not coffee. I exercised whenever I could to stay sane, I was in the best shape of my life. I took protein and amino supplements. My life style in my earlier years had been very bad. I was overweight, drank excessively, smoked a lot of cigarettes, and ate horribly. I had always blamed this for my psoriasis. Now I am smoke free, alcohol free, still over weight but with quitting the drinking I think I will be better. I am going to try the paleo style as I believe in this diet.I cannot argue it. With psoraisis it is triggered for different reasons from person to person. I struggle everyday with mine and it has had a major impact on my life. Try as many things as you can and stay positive. You are all my brothers and my sisters and I hope you all the best as we deal with this disease everyday.