Psoriasis and Diet: What the Evidence Says About Food, Alcohol and Supplements
What research shows about food, weight, alcohol and supplements in psoriasis, and which claims to be wary of.
Part of our psoriasis guide.
Get urgent help first. Call 999 or go to A&E if your skin suddenly becomes red and inflamed over most of your body, or you have widespread pus-filled spots, especially with a fever, chills or feeling very unwell. These can be signs of erythrodermic or generalised pustular psoriasis, which are emergencies. See a GP soon if you have painful, swollen joints. Online treatment isn't suitable in these situations.
Key fact: no diet cures psoriasis, but losing weight if you're overweight, cutting down on alcohol and stopping smoking can make psoriasis milder and help treatments work.
Adults only online, and not in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Access Doctor's online psoriasis service is for adults aged 18 and over, and can't supply treatment if you're pregnant or breastfeeding: your GP or midwife can help. Children with psoriasis should see their GP.
What the evidence says
There's no special diet that cures psoriasis, and no single food has been proven to cause it. But the evidence does support a few changes that can make psoriasis milder and help treatment work, especially losing weight if you're overweight and cutting down on alcohol.
| Change | Evidence | Our summary |
|---|---|---|
| Losing weight (if overweight) | Good: studies show weight loss can reduce psoriasis severity and improve response to treatment | Worth doing |
| Cutting down alcohol | Heavy drinking is linked with more severe psoriasis and poorer treatment response | Worth doing |
| Stopping smoking | Smoking is linked with more severe psoriasis | Worth doing |
| Mediterranean-style diet | Some studies link it with milder psoriasis | A healthy choice; may help |
| Gluten-free diet | May help only people with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity | Only if tested positive |
| Vitamin D supplements | Trials haven't shown they improve psoriasis | Follow general UK advice only |
| Fish oil (omega-3) | Mixed, mostly weak evidence | Unlikely to make much difference |
Foods to avoid with psoriasis
Rather than cutting out whole food groups, focus on an overall healthy diet. Many people find it helps to eat less processed food, sugary drinks and red and processed meat, and more vegetables, fruit, whole grains, pulses, nuts, olive oil and oily fish. If you notice a particular food seems to trigger flares, keep a diary and discuss it with your GP or a dietitian before cutting it out.
Be wary of "psoriasis diets" and diet charts that promise a cure or recommend extreme restriction. They aren't backed by good evidence and can lead to missing important nutrients.
Alcohol and psoriasis
Alcohol can make psoriasis worse and reduce how well treatments work. It's particularly important to limit alcohol if you take methotrexate, because both affect the liver. The UK guideline is to drink no more than 14 units a week, spread over 3 or more days, with some alcohol-free days.
Weight and psoriasis
Being overweight is linked with more severe psoriasis, and fat tissue produces inflammatory substances that can make psoriasis worse. Losing weight can improve psoriasis, reduce friction in skin folds, and lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes, which are more common with psoriasis. Your GP can refer you to local weight management support.
Supplements and "natural" remedies
No supplement has been shown to reliably clear psoriasis. Vitamin D tablets haven't been shown to help psoriasis in trials, although they're recommended for general health in the UK in autumn and winter. Be cautious with herbal creams and remedies bought online, some of which have been found to contain undeclared steroids. Tell your prescriber about any supplements you take. Vitamin D treatment applied to the skin, such as calcipotriol, is different and is an effective psoriasis treatment.
Gut health and psoriasis
Researchers are studying links between gut bacteria and psoriasis, and psoriasis is more common in people with inflammatory bowel disease. But there isn't yet good evidence that probiotics or "gut health" diets improve psoriasis.
Psoriasis on your body still flaring?
Lifestyle changes work best alongside treatment. Our GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers can assess your psoriasis online and, if suitable, prescribe treatment. Adults 18 and over. Dispensed from our UK pharmacy. Approved before 3pm, Monday to Friday? Dispatched the same day, by Royal Mail Tracked 48, Tracked 24 or Special Delivery guaranteed by 1pm next working day: you choose.
Start Psoriasis Consultation →How our online service supplies psoriasis treatment: adults 18 and over, not for the face, genitals or skin folds. Enstilar, Dovobet and other psoriasis-only treatments need psoriasis already diagnosed by a GP or dermatologist. Enstilar and Dovobet: one pack per order, supplied as a course of up to 4 weeks, on no more than 30% of the body. Betnovate and Elocon: up to 3 × 30g or 1 × 100g, for a 4-week course followed by a 4-week break. Dermovate only if you have been prescribed it before. Widespread psoriasis, joint pain or psoriasis that hasn't responded to treatment is referred to your GP.
UK safety and reporting side effects
Prescription psoriasis treatments are only supplied after a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber reviews your consultation, including where your psoriasis is, how much skin it covers and what you have used before. Always read the patient information leaflet. Since 2024, UK steroid packs show their strength on the front (mild, moderate, strong or very strong). The MHRA advises using topical steroids for the shortest time needed, and to tell a healthcare professional if your skin flares badly after you stop a steroid you have used for a long time, which can be a topical steroid withdrawal reaction.
If you think you've had a side effect, tell your pharmacist or doctor. You can also report it to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme.
Psoriasis treatments from Access Doctor
See our treatment options guide or our psoriasis treatment page for the treatments our prescribers can supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods should I avoid with psoriasis?
No food has been proven to cause psoriasis. A healthy, Mediterranean-style diet with less processed food, sugary drinks and red and processed meat is a sensible choice. Keep a diary if you suspect a particular food and discuss it with your GP before cutting it out.
Does alcohol make psoriasis worse?
Yes, heavy drinking is linked with more severe psoriasis and with treatments working less well. Keep within 14 units a week, and limit alcohol especially if you take methotrexate.
Does a gluten-free diet help psoriasis?
Only for people who have coeliac disease or are sensitive to gluten. For everyone else, there's no good evidence that going gluten-free helps.
Do vitamin D supplements help psoriasis?
Trials haven't shown that vitamin D tablets improve psoriasis. Vitamin D treatment applied to the skin, such as calcipotriol, is a different thing and does help.
Can losing weight help psoriasis?
Yes. If you're overweight, losing weight can reduce how severe psoriasis is and help treatments work better, as well as lowering the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
References
- NICE. Psoriasis: assessment and management (CG153). nice.org.uk
- NHS. Psoriasis. nhs.uk
- British Association of Dermatologists. Psoriasis: an overview (patient information leaflet), August 2023. skinhealthinfo.org.uk
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Psoriasis. cks.nice.org.uk
Medical disclaimer: This article is for information only and isn’t medical advice. Prescription psoriasis treatments need a clinical consultation before they can be supplied. If your skin is red all over, you have widespread pus spots, a fever or you feel unwell, seek medical advice the same day. In a medical emergency, call 999.