Diet can have a significant impact on psoriasis flare-ups. While certain foods help to reduce these lesions, others can be triggering factors. Fruits and vegetables are recommended, whereas sugar and processed foods should be limited. What about dairy products? Are they discouraged in cases of psoriasis? This article provides some answers.
Do dairy products promote the onset of psoriasis?
Published on September 29, 2023, updated on August 2, 2024, by Manon, Scientific Editor — 4 min of reading
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What is psoriasis?
The psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the skin and joints. It presents itself as red, thick patches that shed. Psoriasis is characterized by an excessive renewal and accumulation of epidermal cells, leading to a local inflammation.
About 30% of cases are referred to as familial and appear during adolescence. When psoriasis appears after the age of 40, it is referred to as isolated or sporadic forms. However, it affects both sexes equally.
Histological analyses show an increase in the thickness of the epidermis (acanthosis) and incomplete differentiation of keratinocytes (parakeratosis). Its manifestation is triggered by the combination of several risk factors. These include the immune system, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors. The skin symptoms of psoriasis can affect any area of the body, from the ears to the tongue, including the genital areas, resulting in various clinical forms. However, the scaly plaques are generally located on the scalp, elbows, and knees. They are sometimes accompanied by a rheumatism.
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Dairy Products: A Trigger Factor for Psoriasis?
The consumption of dairy products has often been cited as a trigger for psoriasis. Indeed, in a survey conducted among 1,206 psoriasis patients, 6% considered dairy products as a dietary trigger for this skin disease.
To date, no scientific study has conclusively established that the consumption of dairy products is a trigger for psoriasis. Moreover, common beliefs often suggest that dairy products and milk proteins can cause inflammation in the body. However, new research indicates that dairy products and milk proteins are not associated with inflammation. Despite the conflicting information, overall research suggests that dairy products have a positive effect on our body. A 2017 review of 52 clinical studies, published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, concluded that dairy products have anti-inflammatory properties, except in people allergic to cow's milk. However, it is difficult to explain the reason for this as dairy products are varied and their composition changes from one product to another.
Based on current studies, dairy products are not a trigger for psoriasis. However, it is still challenging to conclude on their anti-inflammatory activities. In case of psoriasis, we advise you to prioritize foods that have proven anti-inflammatory effects and avoid consuming those that exacerbate symptoms.
Sources
BORDONI A. & al. Dairy Products and Inflammation: A Review of the Clinical Evidence. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2015).
AFIFI L. & al. Dietary Behaviors in Psoriasis: Patient-Reported Outcomes from a U.S. National Survey. Dermatology and Therapy (2017).
BORDONI A. & al. Dairy products and inflammation: A review of the clinical evidence. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2017).
