Khaberni - Despite there being no cure for psoriasis, new research has revealed that significant relief can be achieved through the diet. In a clinical trial, scientists concluded that the Mediterranean diet can significantly improve symptoms, quality of life, and overall health. According to "New Atlas", these findings reinforce the growing evidence that what we eat plays a strong role in managing chronic inflammatory conditions.
Led by scientists from Ramon y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid, the new study investigated whether the Mediterranean diet could improve the severity of psoriasis in patients with mild to moderate disease, as previous observational studies had indicated. It is estimated that 125 million people worldwide suffer from this condition.
Antioxidants
While the Mediterranean diet is known for its anti-inflammatory benefits and is beneficial for heart and metabolism, there are very few clinical studies that research how psoriasis sufferers benefit from this diet. Researchers believe that a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins, including beta carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E, along with polyphenols, can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in those with this skin condition.
Olive Oil
The study lasted 16 weeks, during which participants either followed a Mediterranean diet plan supervised by a dietitian, with additional amounts of olive oil, or a low-fat diet.
At the end of the 16 weeks, the first group of participants underwent an evaluation of their psoriasis condition, in addition to secondary outcomes including diet adherence, metabolic parameters, serum inflammatory cytokines, and health outcomes reported by patients.
Statistical Significance
The findings were statistically significant. Using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), which measures the disease from 2 to 10 (higher scores indicate worsening of the disease), researchers discovered that the individuals who followed the Mediterranean diet experienced an average decrease in their scores by 3.4 points, while there was no notable change in the control group. Furthermore, nine out of 19 participants who followed the Mediterranean diet (47.4%) experienced a 75% improvement in the severity of their psoriasis - a tremendous result within just 16 weeks. This group also experienced a significant decrease in glycated hemoglobin, which is statistically meaningful given that psoriasis is associated with comorbid diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
Improvement in Quality of Life
Participants in the Mediterranean diet group also reported improvements in sleep, reduction in anxiety, and overall enhancement in quality of life. These results suggest that integrating dietary strategies could be beneficial as an adjunct therapy in managing psoriasis.
