Can Highly Processed Foods Cause Psoriasis?

Highly processed foods don’t cause psoriasis on their own, but they can worsen the condition’s symptoms or trigger a flare-up in people who are already predisposed to psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the skin, and its triggers are often complex and multifactorial.

Many highly processed foods contain ingredients that can promote inflammation in the body. Added sugars increase inflammatory markers such as cytokines, which can worsen psoriasis symptoms.

Trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils are often used in fried foods, snack foods, and margarine and can increase the inflammatory response. Processed foods are often high in omega-6 fatty acids (from soy, corn, or sunflower oil). In large amounts, these fatty acids can disrupt the balance with omega-3 and promote inflammation.

Highly processed foods are often high in calories and low in nutrients, which can contribute to being overweight or obese. Obesity has been linked to increased psoriasis severity due to chronic low-grade inflammation and increased pressure on the skin (Koebner phenomenon).

A diet high in processed foods often lacks enough of the nutrients that help fight inflammation, such as antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D.

Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/2827133

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-12-14 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024