Eating a good balance of healthy, natural foods and having a good lifestyle plan is essential to treat psoriatic arthritis. People with inflammatory forms of arthritis, like psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, may make more specific food choices and changes in the diet by eliminating those that aggravate the condition. Food allergies vary from person to person, so it is best to identify what suits you and what does not.

A diet rich in fresh natural foods like fruits and vegetables and low in sugar, salt and fat help people with psoriatic arthritis boost their overall health and control their weight. Some of the diets tried and tested to treat psoriatic arthritis are

1. Low-calorie diet
Obesity is linked to a higher incidence of psoriatic arthritis, and people with higher BMI are more prone to the condition. This is because of higher fat-deposits in their tissues release inflammatory substances into the bloodstream. The higher the adiposity the greater the inflammation. Being overweight adds to the burden of inflammation. A low-calorie diet with natural foods helps reduce and maintain weight as well as fight psoriatic arthritis. Eating less refined sugar, red meat, refined carbs, and saturated fats is highly advised. You must also keep a count of calories to make sure you are on the right track.

2. Anti-inflammatory diet
Certain foods can trigger inflammation, and if you are prone to psoriatic arthritis, it is advisable to avoid these foods to be able to manage the condition. An anti-inflammatory diet is full of foods high in natural antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, which helps treat psoriatic arthritis.

Foods recommended for an anti-inflammatory diet are

• Apples
• Avocados
• Beans
• Blueberries
• Cherries
• Leafy green vegetables
• Nuts
• Fish rich in omega-3 acids
• Whole grains
• Sweet potato

The foods to avoid when suffering from psoriatic arthritis are

• Dairy products
• Margarine
• Red meat
• Sugar
• Trans fat
• Refined carbs
• Vegetable oil

3. Mediterranean diet
The Meditteranean diet is said to be beneficial for people with psoriatic arthritis. It is well-balanced and a predominantly plant-based diet consisting mainly of fruit, vegetables, legumes, grains, fish and olive oil, but very low in red meat and dairy. This diet may not show results immediately but over a few years, it can reduce the severity of psoriatic arthritis by about 29%.

4. Gluten-free diet
People who suffer from psoriatic arthritis are more likely to be affected by more than one autoimmune disease; this is called polyautoimmunity. One of the other common autoimmune conditions they could be affected by is celiac disease, which is a disorder characterized by an allergy to gluten. Studies have confirmed that people with psoriatic arthritis are 2.5 times more likely to have celiac disease. Hence, a gluten-free diet filled with natural foods may be well worth adhering to for psoriatic arthritis. If you have symptoms of a gluten allergy, speak to your rheumatologist. Do tests to confirm the suspicion. It is better to take the advice of a nutritionist before you go on a gluten-free diet, to ensure adequate intake of nutrients.

The challenge with all genetic diseases is that our responses tend to be individual, based on each one’s body and genetics. Any diet has to be taken slowly and studied well before implementation. It is always better to do it under the guidance of a nutrition therapist to avoid complications. Before a diet is administered the body weight, blood sugar levels and the nature and extremity of the condition of psoriatic arthritis have to be considered before going on a diet. Natural foods are always recommended for those suffering from psoriatic arthritis.