When it comes to inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, nutrition is a key factor in disease management and several studies are showing that the keto diet may be detrimental for psoriasis. The keto diet is a low carbohydrate diet with up to 50% of food intake from fats. It has gained popularity over the last decade, promoted for various conditions from Alzheimer’s to obesity. This eating pattern is popular but what are the effects on psoriasis?

Psoriasis risk factors

Written By Ananda Mahony

A review in the International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health highlights nutrition as a risk factor for psoriasis, suggesting that overall diet, body weight and quality of nutrition are significant triggers of disease development and exacerbating factors, with potential to worsen the disease severity.

Psoriasis a chronic immune-mediated condition associated with significant inflammation. Metabolic risk (characterised by central weight, high blood sugar, blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol) is linked with increased severity of psoriasis and the current understanding is that inflammation may be the common link.

Overcoming psoriasis

In this podcast with Andrew Whitfield-Cook from FX Medicine, I discuss how to overcome psoriasis, a devastating disease not just because of the outward expression of the red rash and silvery scales, but also because of the co-morbidities and frequently unsatisfactory results gained by medical management alone.

The scaly issue of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease of scaling and inflammation that affects about 1 to 5% of the population worldwide. Itching and abnormal flushing are also common features. Primarily affecting adults, psoriasis is caused by an accelerated skin cell turn over and has a strong genetic component.. Those who suffer from this disease often experience physical, social and emotional trauma. The exact cause is unknown; however, researchers believe that heredity, environment, and the immune system may also play a role in psoriasis.