There are numerous reasons to eat healthy foods if you have psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The autoimmune disease, which affects about 30% of people with psoriasis, can cause joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. However, it is possible to have psoriatic arthritis without having psoriasis, and some people develop it after being diagnosed with PsA.
Patients should strive to maintain a healthy weight because extra pounds put additional pressure on joints, potentially worsening psoriatic arthritis symptoms and leading to joint deterioration over time.
Psoriasis may also increase the risk of developing other health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. This makes it even more important for patients with psoriatic arthritis who also have psoriasis to eat foods that protect their hearts and help them maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Food to Avoid
1. Candy and Sugary Treats
Sugary treats provide little nutritional value and have been linked to weight gain, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Furthermore, refined starches and sugar may increase the production of proinflammatory molecules known as cytokines. To put it another way, limiting your sugar intake is a good idea for anyone, but it’s especially important if you have psoriatic arthritis.
2. Soda
Sugary treats provide little nutritional value and have been linked to weight gain, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, as well as an increased risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Furthermore, refined starches and sugar may increase the production of proinflammatory molecules known as cytokines. To put it another way, limiting your sugar intake is a good idea for anyone, but it’s especially important if you have psoriatic arthritis.
3. Processed Foods
Sugar, salt, and preservatives are commonly found in canned frosting, store-bought baked goods, flavored coffee creamers, and other manufactured products. In fact, “ultra-processed” foods containing additives such as hydrogenated oils and emulsifiers account for 60% of the calories the average American consumes. Chips, snack cakes, and frozen pizza are examples of these foods.
4. Bacon
While it can be difficult to distinguish between good and bad fats, fatty meats, particularly processed meats like bacon, should be avoided. They contain saturated fat, which can raise “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease. Then there’s the bacon and cancer connection.
Furthermore, depending on how fatty meats are prepared, they may contain advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are harmful compounds formed when fats and protein in the blood combine with sugar.
5. Dairy Products
Some people with psoriatic arthritis may find that dairy products aggravate their symptoms. There’s always been talk about milk being a source of inflammation.
Dairy is also beneficial in other ways (for example, nonfat milk contains important nutrients, and yogurt is packed with probiotics, which help with digestion). So, if you can tolerate dairy without experiencing worsened symptoms, you can continue to eat it.
Foods to Eat
1. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, trout, and eel should be avoided if you have psoriatic arthritis. These foods’ omega-3 fatty acids may have anti-inflammatory properties. Fatty fish, which are high in protein and vitamin D, may benefit your brain and help reduce diabetes risks.
2. Nuts
All nuts contain monounsaturated fats, which can be anti-inflammatory. Walnuts are especially beneficial because they are high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that may help reduce inflammation in the arteries after a fatty meal.
3. Berries
Everyone’s diet should include fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits may be especially beneficial if you have psoriatic arthritis.
You’d like to eat more foods that have been shown to be high in antioxidants. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, acai berries, cranberries, and other colorful berries have achieved superfood status, in part because they are high in antioxidants, which can rid the body of free radicals that cause inflammation.
Finally, simple dietary changes, when combined with arthritis treatment options recommended by your healthcare provider, can help you cope with psoriatic arthritis.
