Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease affecting a percentage of patients with the skin disease Psoriasis. Symptoms include pain and inflammation in the joints, along with red, flaky patches on the skin called plaque that may or may not be painful.
A special Psoriatic Arthritis diet can help you to either lower your risk of developing the disease or else lower the severity of the disease in individuals who already suffer from it. The diet consists of foods to be avoided, and foods to be increased. You can find both below.
Psoriatic Arthritis Diet: Foods To Avoid
Certain foods can cause an inflammation response in your body, which can make the symptoms and flare of PsA worse.
This includes sugars, red meat, dairy, gluten and saturated fats. While it may be okay to consume these foods in small amounts, once in a while, you should limit your daily intake, or avoid them altogether.
As a bonus, cutting these foods out of your diet may also help you to lose weight, which can help to relieve the pressure placed on your joints. Many patients have found that even a small amount of weight can greatly decrease the amount of pain they suffer from arthritis.
Psoriatic Arthritis Diet: Foods To Increase/Add
Ensuring you eat plenty of brightly colored vegetables can help to ensure you are getting an appropriate amount of a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
This not only helps with Psoriatic Arthritis but will keep you generally healthy. Nutrient deficiencies are often to blame for a whole slew of different diseases and health issues.
Increasing foods with high antioxidant properties can help to reduce flare-ups and limit the amount you have.
Antioxidants work by reducing inflammation and helping the body to properly dispose of toxins (versus allowing them to build up).
Foods high in antioxidants include asparagus, avocados, blueberries, beets, cranberries, apples, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, oranges, and artichokes.
You may also want to consider adding a nutritional drink or daily multivitamin. This will help ensure you are getting all the necessary nutrients. Some supplements even come with bonus amounts of antioxidants.
If you choose to add one of these to your diet, opt for one that is free of added ingredients.
Precaution
Always speak with your doctor prior to taking any supplements or making any dietary changes. He or she can help determine whether those changes would best benefit you and your personal situation.