According to a 2017 survey of people with psoriasis, 86%Trusted Source reported using dietary changes to treat their condition.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease caused by an overreaction of the immune system to regular skin cells. Therefore, an anti-inflammatory diet may help manage the symptoms of the disease.

Research on the role of diet in psoriasis treatment is still in the early stages. Below, learn how experts define an anti-inflammatory diet and how they think it could fit into a psoriasis treatment plan.

What is an anti-inflammatory diet?

As Desiree Nielsen, a registered dietitian based in Vancouver, British Columbia, explained: “An anti-inflammatory diet is one that is built on a foundation of [nutrient-dense] whole-plant foods, like:

• vegetables
• intact whole grains
• nuts
• seeds

These foods offer nutrition to support the immune system.”

“They also offer a ton of fiber, which is critical for supporting a healthy gut barrier Trusted Source and microbiome Trusted Source, two factors that help keep inflammation at bay,” Nielsen added.

However, it is important to note that the relationship between gut bacteria and inflammation is complicated. Simply adding more fiber to the diet will not necessarily reduce inflammation.

“Of course, as we eat more whole plants, we will probably eat fewer hyper-processed foods [also called ultra-processed foods] as a result,” Nielsen observed.

“Eating too many hyper-processed foods, specifically those high in salt, sugar, or saturated fat and low in fiber, is detrimental to the gut microbiome and gut health in general. [But] these foods aren’t harmful in small amounts — a dietary pattern is far more powerful than a single plate.”

Does an anti-inflammatory diet help resolve symptoms of psoriasis?

“I do see that skin conditions such as psoriasis are supported by a move toward an anti-inflammatory diet, but unfortunately, we don’t yet have a lot of clinical research specifically on anti-inflammatory diets as a whole for those with psoriasis,” Nielsen acknowledged.

However, “One study Trusted Source found that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with less severe psoriasis,” she noted.

Dr. Peter Lio, a dermatologist practicing in Chicago, IL, and a professor of dermatology at Northwestern University, in Evanston, cautioned, “My clinical experience tells me that there are two important caveats to [following an anti-inflammatory diet for psoriasis].”

“The first is that it is not totally consistent. I have some patients who see changes with diet, but I also have a large group that really has not seen much improvement after significant dietary changes.”

“The second caveat is one of magnitude. While some patients certainly see dramatic improvement [in psoriasis] with dietary change, in my personal experience, the changes tend to be much more modest,” Dr. Lio reported.