27 Jun What is the Role of Diet in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis?
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Adam Ford
Adam Ford, BS
Research fellow with Dr. April Armstrong
Keck School of Medicine
University of Southern California
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Our psoriasis patients have long asked us about the role of diet on psoriasis. Previously, there was a lack of evidence synthesis on the relationship between psoriasis and diet. As such, providers were mostly unable to address their patients questions on the role of diet on psoriasis.
This pivotal effort from the National Psoriasis Foundation has been a few years in the making. We looked at the role of diet on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis based on a careful synthesis of the scientific studies available to us currently.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: The main findings of this study are as follows:
First, we found that weight reduction with a diet low in calories is helpful in reducing psoriasis severity in overweight and obese psoriasis patients.
Second, a gluten-free diet is not helpful for all psoriasis patients, but it can be helpful in reducing psoriasis in patients whose blood tests are positive for gluten sensitivity.
Third, there is little evidence to support many diets and nutritional supplements that have been touted to be useful in reducing psoriasis
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: We anticipate that these dietary recommendations will be highly useful to providers when discussing the role of diet on psoriasis with their patients. While certain diets can be helpful in selected patients with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis, it is the medical therapies that make the larger difference in reducing psoriasis.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: There is a substantial need for additional research on the role of diet on psoriasis. Specifically, additional research is needed on the use of dietary supplements in psoriasis patients. For some supplements, there is too little evidence currently available in the scientific literature to make a recommendation; for others, the evidence is conflicting. Additional studies are also needed in the area of dietary weight loss to determine if it is the type of diet or the weight loss that leads to improvement in psoriasis. Finally, further research is needed on the role of specific foods, nutrients, and dietary patterns on psoriasis.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: We hope that providers will find these recommendations to be practical and that many psoriasis patients will benefit from their implementation.
Disclosures for all authors are reported with the published article.
Citation:
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Last Updated on June 27, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD