Psoriasis

NUTRITION

• Obesity tends to worsen the condition. A hypocaloric diet may improve symptoms in overweight and obese individuals (BMI > 25)  (1). Compared to usual care, dietary intervention (strict caloric restriction) may lead to 75% or greater improvement from baseline (large uncertainty) in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) (2).

• Alcohol: There is some/mixed evidence that alcohol may increase symptoms of psoriasis, but more studies are needed to determine whether alcohol can induce or worsen psoriasis (7,6,5,4,3)

• Omega 3: Some evidence that it may improve symptoms alone, or in combination with standard treatment (10)

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• Vigorous physical activity is associated with reduced risk of psoriasis (12)

• More research is needed to determine whether physical activity may reduce symptoms (13)

SMOKING

• Smoking is a risk factor for psoriasis (3, 4)

STRESS

• There is mixed/weak evidence that preceeding psychological stress is associated with psoriasis exacerbation/onset (8,9)

SUNLIGHT

• Exposure to natural sunlight and salt water bath improve the condition (1)

LIFESTYLE PREVENTION OF COMORBIDITIES

• Psoriasis increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes type 2. Discuss cardiovascular risk factors with psoriasis patients, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, smoking, alcohol use disorder, physical activity and diabetes type 2 prevention (11).