The role of lifestyle and nutrition in psoriasis: Current status of knowledge and interventions

Extrinsic environmental factors, including patient lifestyle (alcohol intake, smoking, stress, sleep disturbances, and sedentary habit), diet and single nutrients intake may affect psoriasis clinical presentation, severity, and course. All English language articles dealing with psoriasis and lifestyle factors or diet gathered by an extensive PubMed search were carefully examined in order to explore their impact on the disease. Current authoritative knowledge confirms that low-calories, Mediterranean, and protein restricted/vegetarian diets may be beneficial. Psoriatic patients are also recommended to engage regular physical activity, to avoid alcohol intake and to consume fish rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as fruit and vegetables. Prebiotics and probiotics may also provide potential benefit, whereas vitamin D supplementation and gluten-free diet are useful in selected cases only. Changing of dietary and lifestyle habits alone does not replace conventional treatment, but must be considered as an adjuvant. Physicians may play a crucial role, by adequately acknowledging psoriatic patients on the advantages of proper lifestyle and diet habits as well as providing clues to reliable sources of dietary advice.