Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
If you have chronic psoriatic arthritis (PsA), there are many reasons to eat healthful foods. This autoimmune disease strikes about 30% of people who have the skin ailment psoriasis.
General symptoms include:
- Painful, stiffness and swelling in joints
- Nail changes
- Eye pain and redness
- Fatigue
- painful muscles and tendons
- scaly skin patches
- Stomach issues
- Tender joints
Psoriatic arthritis diet
While there is no single food or diet to cure PsA, a nutrient-dense and balanced diet can help reduce inflammation, ease symptoms and prevent psoriatic arthritis flare-ups.
Say No to Candy and Sugary Treats
Cutting down on your intake of sugar is a good strategy for anyone, but cutting back on the amount of added sugar in the diet is especially critical if you have PsA. Sugary treats and baked goods, packaged desserts, candies, or beverages with added sweeteners provide no nutritional value and have been linked to obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Additionally, they cause an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer, and heart disease. Furthermore, refined starches and sugar increase the production of inflammatory chemicals known as cytokines.
The good news is that there are many fresh fruits that can still satisfy your sweet tooth. When you do want to eat something sweet, consider eating fruits that are high in antioxidants, such as:
- tart cherries
- mangos
- strawberries
- blueberries
- red raspberries
- avocado
- watermelon
- grapes
- figs
Go Easy on Red and Processed Meat
People suffering from psoriatic arthritis should limit their intake of fatty meat—especially red meat—in order to maintain a healthy weight and keep inflammation under control.
Fatty meats, especially processed meats like bacon are high in saturated fat, which can cause inflammation, increase levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and raise your risk of heart disease.
Reduce Dairy Products If Necessary
Research suggests that people with psoriatic arthritis are more likely to be intolerant of dairy products. Some people with psoriatic arthritis may experience worsened symptoms after consuming full-fat dairy products. With any inflammation, dairy can be a source of aggravated inflammation and so people with any type of inflammatory disease should limit dairy.
Eat Fatty Fish
If you have psoriatic arthritis, fatty fish—such as salmon, tuna, sardines, trout, mackerel, and oysters—should definitely be on the menu. Research shows that people with psoriatic arthritis, who consumed fish experienced reduced PsA symptoms like stiffness and tender joints, as well as pain. This can be attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids contained in these foods that have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Packed with protein and vitamin D, fatty fish may be beneficial for your brain, help decreases morning stiffness, and protect people with psoriatic arthritis against heart disease.
Cut back on Processed Foods
People with PsA should avoid heavily processed foods such as baked goods and pre-packaged meals and snacks. These items contain large quantities of trans fats to help preserve them. It is a known fact that trans fats trigger inflammation in the body and exacerbate PsA symptoms.
Substitute Nuts for Red or Processed Meats
As long as you aren’t allergic, nuts are the perfect food for Psa. All nuts are loaded with monounsaturated fats that can have incredible anti-inflammatory properties. They are high in antioxidants, healthy fats, and fibre to keep you feeling full for hours. Eating a handful of nuts—such as walnuts, peanuts, almonds, or pistachios—is especially beneficial to patients with psoriatic arthritis. All nuts have their virtues, but research shows one reigns supreme as an inflammation warrior: Walnuts. They are a good source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid whose health benefits include a role in the reduction of inflammation in the arteries after a heavy, fatty meal.
Bring on the Berries
Eating a heart-healthy diet rich in fresh fruits, and vegetables should be part of everyone’s routine. There is compelling evidence that a diet rich in fruits may be particularly therapeutic to ward off inflammation related to the condition. Colourful berries—strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, and others—are loaded with antioxidants, which can rid the body of free radicals that promote inflammation.
Final thoughts
Eating right is key to bringing down inflammation and reducing your chances of flare-ups when you suffer from psoriatic arthritis. While the above foods will not cure PsA, they could be a step in the right direction. By consuming an anti-inflammatory diet, you may be able to improve your symptoms of PsA and also prevent other chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Here we have mentioned a few best, easy and most popular psoriatic arthritis diets you can try.
However, there might be chances that you are allergic to any of the food or might have an undiagnosed medical condition that can be aggravated by any of this food.
In such a situation, you can also opt for genetic testing, which is a cutting-edge predictive health tool to ascertain your predisposition towards certain foods; that can have a positive or negative impact, depending from person to person.
Also, it is advised to have frequent preventive health check-ups to keep an eye on overall health, especially your cholesterol levels.
