Mediterranean diet helps with psoriasis

At 16 weeks, nearly half of the participants who followed the diet recorded a 75% reduction in symptoms without significant weight loss.

The results are published in JAMA Dermatology.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects more than 60 million people worldwide. The disease manifests as red, flaky patches accompanied by severe itching. While treatment has traditionally been based on medication and external remedies, a new study proves that nutrition can also play a key role in managing the disease.

As part of the MEDIPSO clinical trial, conducted at the Madrid Dermatology Clinic, scientists followed 38 adults with mild to moderate psoriasis. Half of them followed a traditional low-fat diet and the other half a Mediterranean diet, supervised by a nutritionist.

The results were impressive: 47.4 per cent of participants in the second group showed a 75 per cent improvement in their PASI (Psoriasis Severity Index) score. No such changes were observed in the control group. Moreover, improvements in skin condition were accompanied by decreased anxiety, better sleep and improved quality of life.

The authors emphasise that the effect was not related to weight loss. A diet high in vegetables, fruits, olive oil, nuts, fish and whole grain products works due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Vitamins such as C and E, as well as polyphenols, help to reduce oxidative stress and normalise the immune system.

Psoriasis develops against the background of a malfunction in the work of T-cells, which begin to attack healthy skin cells. This leads to accelerated growth of new cells and the formation of dense plaques. The Mediterranean diet, according to scientists, is able to modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation.

Before this study, the link between psoriasis and diet had only been studied in observational studies. They showed that people who ignore the principles of a healthy diet are more likely to experience exacerbations of the disease. However, only now it has been possible to prove a direct link between the type of diet and the severity of symptoms.

Thus, the study gives new hope to psoriasis patients. The Mediterranean diet may become not only a way to improve overall health, but also an effective addition to the main treatment of this difficult disease.