Best Superfoods for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune skin condition that causes red, flaky, patches on the skin. It mainly occurs over the elbows, hands, knees, lower back and scalp. A healthy diet that contains lots of vegetables and fruits, whole grains and lean protein is an excellent idea for just about anyone and can even make a difference to a psoriasis patient.

What are Superfoods?

Superfoods are foods that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other healthy and nutritional elements that are beneficial to the human body. Albeit superfoods are not an instant cure-all, regularly adding them into your diets can be the basis of a highly healthy lifestyle. Since the effect of psoriasis manifests themselves on the skin, then superfoods that promote healthy skin may be beneficial to your psoriasis symptoms in different ways too.

It is advisable to go for superfoods that are rich in antioxidant nutrients such as Vitamin C and E, Zinc, Selenium, and beta-carotene.

Here are the top 10 superfoods and their health benefits

Spirulina

This is a natural alga that is rich in protein, B-vitamins, antioxidants and many other nutrients.

Chlorella

Chlorella is rich in vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C and E, and various minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron, and calcium.

Kelp

Kelp is a brown-coloured seaweed that is high in iodine, calcium, potassium, and vitamins, especially B-vitamins. It is also rich in antimicrobial properties which are beneficial to alleviating the symptoms of psoriasis.

Spinach

This vegetable is a highly nutritious superfood and is rich in many essential nutrients like zinc, iron, protein, calcium and Vitamins A, B-6, C, E, and K.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is packed with essential nutrients such as Protein, Potassium, Calcium, Vitamin B-12, and probiotics.

Broccoli

This is without a doubt amongst the best foods for people with psoriasis as it is one of the reliable dietary sources of beta-carotene, vitamin c, and folate. To get the most out of this superfood, choose organically grown broccoli as they are typically more nutrient-dense and contain fewer harmful substances.

Almonds

These nuts are a source of Vitamin E, magnesium, copper, fibre, and high-quality protein.

Blueberries

These are a nutrient-rich type of fruit with high anti-inflammatory properties, a great source of fibre and packed with vitamin C. They also contain Manganese which supports bone growth.

Chia

Chia seeds have an abundance of antioxidants and a decent amount of proteins and amino acids.

Garlic

Garlic has been used for many years for its natural antibiotic properties. It can also be used for psoriasis, thanks to its lipoxygenase inhibitor abilities that enable it to stop the activity of enzymes responsible for inflammation.

How can one incorporate superfoods for psoriasis into their daily diets?

With these superfoods in mind, you probably want to start ramping up your intake to help with your psoriasis. However, it is not always easy to incorporate them into your busy daily life, which is why you need to find other ways to integrate them into your diet. Here are a few examples of how to go about it

Healthy Drink Recipes

You can incorporate your superfoods into your daily diet through healthy juices, smoothies and herbal infusions for psoriasis.

Spinach, Chia, and Blueberry Smoothie

This smoothie recipe combines spinach rich in beta-carotene and blueberries that are abundant in psoriasis –combating antioxidants. To add some sweetness, add a ripe banana and Chia seeds, which are a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Gingery Carrot Juice

If you have a juicer, use some fresh ginger and a bunch of carrots to extract a healthy drink that is full of beta-carotene from the carrots and gingerol (the active component that contains anti-inflammatory and psoriatic properties) from the ginger.

Spirulina Smoothie

Although it may sound wacky at first, spirulina is a highly nutritious alga that can help ease the symptoms of psoriasis. However, it is not the easiest thing to add to your breakfast. You can add it to your green smoothie as it will not affect the taste.

Replace your Sour cream in your soup with Greek yogurt

Consider subbing out the heavy creams in your diet with Greek Yogurt. Greek Yogurt will not only help ease your psoriasis symptoms but is also rich in vitamin D, protein, and Probiotics.

Eat blueberries

There are many natural ways of incorporating blueberries into your diet. You can eat them as an easy snack, or add frozen ones into your morning smoothie as they also add some taste. You can even eat them with your yogurt.

Organic Green Superfood Powder Drinks

Another great way of incorporating superfoods into your daily diet is through green powder products of healthy drinks. For optimum health benefits for your psoriasis, do not stick to just one green drink. Make sure to switch between different products to consume a more diverse range of herbs and foods. When buying these products, try to select those that boost your intake of specific the nutrients that alleviate psoriasis.

For example, Athletic Greens contain a good variety of organic vegetables that provide minerals and vitamins. It contains Kelp, Spirulina, and Chlorella, which are rich in nutrients. It also includes a mix of different berries that are rich in antioxidants.