What is it about?
Why does psoriasis worsen after eating certain foods or following a period of prolonged stress? Psoriasis is an incredibly common condition and yet, to date, few studies have looked at the causal relationships between psoriasis and lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, smoking and alcohol. This review unpacks these factors and explains the processes within the body through which they may operate. Diet and lifestyle changes, including exercise, may offer complementary strategies to traditional methods of care.
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Why is it important?
Traditional treatments for psoriasis are focused on biologic agents such as corticosteroids. Whilst effective, the evidence suggests that lifestyle changes may act as a useful, cost-saving alternative or addition to traditional care.
Perspectives
As a long-term psoriasis sufferer I wanted to get to grips with the 'why' of psoriasis. I, like most people, was aware of the genetic aspect but why did I break out in plaque psoriasis all over my legs and arms a few weeks after university exams? If I eat too many sweet foods why does my scalp become inflammed? It was these questions that drove this narrative review to hopefully produce the answers which could benefit fellow psoriasis sufferers.
Seonad Madden
University of Tasmania
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: How lifestyle factors and their associated pathogenetic mechanisms impact psoriasis, Clinical Nutrition, May 2019, Elsevier, DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2019.05.006.
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