The results of a new study conducted by researchers from the Department of Epidemiology of Dermatology and Evaluation of Treatments at the University of Paris reveal an association between eating large amounts of ultra-processed foods and symptoms of psoriasis. The results of the study were published in JAMA Dermatology on November 27.
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes patches of scaly skin. These spots usually appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but they may appear anywhere on the body. Most people are affected by only small spots. In some cases, the spots can be itchy or painful.
Psoriasis is classified as an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system begins to overwork and cause problems for the body. Immune cells become active in patients with psoriasis and produce molecules that trigger rapid production of skin cells. This is why the skin in people with this disease is inflamed and scaly. Scientists don’t fully understand what leads to faulty immune cell activation, but they do know that it involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Many people with psoriasis have a family history of the disease, and researchers have identified some genes that may contribute to its development. Many of them play a role in immune system function.
Some external factors that may increase the chances of developing psoriasis due to infection include the use of certain medications, smoking, and obesity. To uncover the relationship between ultra-processed foods and psoriasis, the researchers used a questionnaire filled out by participants over the age of 15 to classify them according to their psoriasis condition at the time of the survey.
The amount of ultra-processed foods consumed by the participant daily was documented in grams and divided into 3 parts, ranging from minimum (part I) to maximum (part III). Age, sex, educational level, smoking status, physical activity, body mass index, comorbidities and other factors were taken into account when conducting the analysis.
It has been shown that there is an association between eating large amounts of ultra-processed foods and suffering from current symptoms of the disease.
Psoriasis symptoms vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include:
- Patches of thick, red skin with silvery-white scales that itch.
- Dry, cracked skin, causing itching or bleeding.
- Thick and cracked nails.
Ultra-processed foods
The degree of processing of foods is usually evaluated using the Nova classification, which divides foods into 4 groups:
- Unprocessed or minimally processed foods such as eggs, milk, and fruits.
- Processed food ingredients such as salt, butter and oil.
- Processed foods such as canned fish and cheese.
- Ultra-processed foods such as ready-to-eat or heated meals, salty snacks and sweets.
Ultra-processed foods usually contain more than one ingredient that you would never find in the kitchen. They also tend to include many additives and ingredients not typically used in home cooking, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colors and flavors.
These foods generally have a long shelf life. Ultra-processed foods often contain high levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar. Eating ultra-processed foods is linked to many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.