Diet can have a significant impact on psoriasis flare-ups. While certain foods can help reduce these lesions, others can act as triggers. Fruits and vegetables should be prioritised, whereas sugar and processed foods should be limited. What about dairy products? Are they discouraged in cases of psoriasis? This article provides some answers.
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Do dairy products promote the onset of psoriasis?
Summary
Published February 20, 2024,
by
Manon, Scientific Editor
—
4 min read
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What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily expressed in the skin and joints . It presents as red, thick plaques that shed. Psoriasis is characterised by an excessive renewal and accumulation of epidermal cells, leading to a local inflammation .
Approximately 30% of cases are referred to as familial and emerge during adolescence. When psoriasis appears after the age of 40, it is referred to as isolated or sporadic forms. However, it affects both sexes in an equivalent manner.
Histological analyses show an increase in the thickness of the epidermis (acanthosis) and incomplete differentiation of keratinocytes (parakeratosis). Its manifestation is triggered by the combination of several risk factors. These include the immune system, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors. The skin symptoms of psoriasis can affect any area of the body, from the ears to the tongue, including the genital areas, resulting in various clinical forms. However, the scaly plaques are generally located on the scalp, elbows and knees. They are sometimes accompanied by a rheumatism.
Dairy Products: A Trigger Factor for Psoriasis?
The consumption of dairy products has often been cited as a trigger for psoriasis. Indeed, in a survey conducted among 1206 psoriasis patients, 6% considered dairy products as a dietary trigger for this skin disease.
To date, no scientific study has conclusively established that the consumption of dairy products is a trigger for psoriasis. Moreover, common beliefs often suggest that dairy products and milk proteins can cause inflammation in the body. However, new research indicates that dairy products and milk proteins are not associated with inflammation. Despite the conflicting information, overall research suggests that dairy products have a positive effect on our body. A 2017 review of 52 clinical studies, published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, concluded that dairy products have anti-inflammatory properties, except in people allergic to cow's milk. However, it is difficult to explain the reason for this as dairy products are varied and their composition changes from one product to another.
Current studies suggest that dairy products are not a trigger for psoriasis. However, it is still challenging to conclude on their anti-inflammatory activities. If you have psoriasis, we advise you to favour foods with proven anti-inflammatory effects and avoid consuming those that exacerbate symptoms.
Sources
BORDONI A. & al. Dairy Products and Inflammation: A Review of the Clinical Evidence. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2015).
AFIFI L. & al. Dietary Behaviors in Psoriasis: Patient-Reported Outcomes from a U.S. National Survey. Dermatology and Therapy (2017).
BORDONI A. & al. Dairy products and inflammation: A review of the clinical evidence. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2017).
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