THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
Living with psoriasis can be physically and mentally exhausting. It's more than the itch, the discomfort, the red patches - it's the emotional toll. The way your confidence can wane, your mood can darken, and even simple social interactions can become fraught with anxiety.
But what if there was a new approach to help you regain control? Not another prescription or cream, but a lifestyle adjustment that could potentially be the ally you've been searching for in this battle?
Enter the carnivore diet for psoriasis. Yes, you heard correctly. This high-protein, low-carb approach is more than just a diet - it's a lifestyle that could potentially alleviate your psoriasis symptoms and boost your overall health.
Wouldn’t it be nice to feel comfortable and confident in your own skin again? While countless solutions have promised to help you achieve this reality, all have fallen short. So, you’re rightfully skeptical. Can carnivore diet help psoriasis?
In this article, we’ll guide you through this new journey you’re preparing to embark on. We'll explain the science behind following a psoriasis carnivore diet along with key tips for diving into the world of carnivore head first.
Before we get into all that, though, we want to provide a brief overview of psoriasis for those who are just now struggling with the unsightly, painful condition.
A Brief Overview of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition, a rogue of the immune system where your body is tricked into producing skin cells at a rapid-fire pace. Normally, your skin cells take about a month to regenerate. But with psoriasis, they're at it like it's a race, turning over in just a few days.
The result? A build-up of cells on the surface of your skin that form thick, silvery scales and dry, red patches that are often itchy or painful. We’ll talk more about symptoms in a moment. First, let’s take a deeper look at what causes this condition in the first place.
Causes
The truth is, the causes of this condition aren't fully understood. But it's generally agreed that it's the result of several factors.
We know that genetics play a part. If mom or dad had psoriasis, you're more likely to develop it. It's like inheriting your dad's sense of humor, but a lot less fun.
Then there's the immune system, which gets its wires crossed and starts overproducing skin cells. Environmental triggers can also set off psoriasis. Stress, skin injuries, certain medications, infections, or even cold weather can be like flicking a switch for a psoriasis flare-up.
Symptoms
Psoriasis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. Most commonly, though, this condition is characterized by red, raised patches of skin covered with silvery scales (also known as plaques). They can show up anywhere but are most often found on the knees, elbows, scalp, and lower back.
These patches can be itchy or sore, or they may not bother you at all, much like that weird uncle at family gatherings. Other symptoms can include cracked and dry skin that may bleed, thickened nails, and stiff and swollen joints. It's not just a skin condition, it's a full-body experience.
Your Introduction to Carnivore Diet
What if we told you that you could potentially take a bite out of psoriasis, just by changing your diet? And that the change we're talking about isn't your run-of-the-mill salad and smoothie routine, but something a bit more primal and exciting?
In just a moment, we’ll talk about how following a psoriasis carnivore diet can help - fully unpacking the link between the carnivore diet and psoriasis. First, though, we need to explain what this diet is.
At its core, the carnivore diet involves consuming only animal products. You won't find vegetables, fruits, grains, or legumes here - just pure, unadulterated animal-based food.
This means that typically, you won’t consume any carnivore diet carbs. Instead, the carnivore diet macros consist of high protein and fat.
All of this is rooted in the idea that our early ancestors thrived on a diet predominantly made up of meat. While a lot has changed since we first arrived on this planet, our bodies are still best suited to this type of nutritional profile.
People typically follow the carnivore diet for various reasons. Some seek weight loss, others aim for better athletic performance, and many are looking for improved overall health. You can even follow the carnivore diet for neuropathy.
Now, as emerging evidence suggests, there might be another compelling reason to consider this diet: the potential management of psoriasis. We know what you’re thinking…can carnivore diet help psoriasis, or is this yet another treatment sure to leave you underwhelmed and frustrated? Let’s take a look…
Can Carnivore Diet Help Psoriasis?
You’re already familiar with psoriasis, and you’ve just now met the carnivore diet. Now, it’s time to take a detailed look at how the two may be intertwined.
So, can carnivore diet help psoriasis? At this time, the jury is still out.
Some experts say that it absolutely can help. On the other hand, some say this type of diet will only exacerbate the symptoms that have you so frustrated in the first place. So where does the truth lie? Let’s take a look at the science behind the carnivore diet and psoriasis.
How a Psoriasis Carnivore Diet Can Help
Research into the carnivore diet and psoriasis is still in its early stages, but the initial findings and anecdotal evidence are promising. Essentially, there are two main factors that lead to a reduction in painful, unsightly symptoms associated with psoriasis.
First and foremost, the diet's focus on high-protein, high-fat, and zero-carb foods can lead to a reduction in systemic inflammation. This is a key factor in psoriasis flare-ups. How does the diet reduce inflammation, though?
Meat, the star of the carnivore diet, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, known for their anti-inflammatory properties. By loading up your plate with omega-3-rich foods, you could potentially help calm your body's inflammatory response and manage psoriasis symptoms.
But it’s not just about what you’re giving your body on the carnivore diet. It’s also about what you’re restricting. The carnivore diet excludes potential triggers for psoriasis, such as gluten and nightshade vegetables. For some people, these can exacerbate symptoms, so cutting them out of the diet might help improve skin health.
We could go deeper into the science behind all this - talking about the role of plant-based amino acids and how they can interfere with your body’s natural cell production process. But just know this: the carnivore diet shows great promise for treating psoriasis symptoms.
And, as you’ll discover below, this is just the beginning of how this diet can enhance your livelihood. Let’s take a look at the jaw-dropping list of carnivore diet benefits…
Managing Psoriasis Symptoms is Just the Beginning…
While the potential impact of following a carnivore diet for psoriasis is impressive, it doesn't stop there. This way of eating can come with a range of other health benefits that might make your journey to better skin even more rewarding.
Weight loss, improved mental clarity, increased energy, and better digestive health are all commonly reported benefits of the carnivore diet.
These can lead to a better quality of life overall and may even help improve your mood and confidence - which, let's face it, can take a hit when you're dealing with a persistent skin condition.
Tips for Starting the Carnivore Diet for Psoriasis
After discovering the possibility of eliminating these painful, frustrating, embarrassing symptoms with a simple dietary change, you are probably ready to take a chance on the psoriasis carnivore diet. And below, we’ll teach you how to get started with a focus on managing psoriasis symptoms.
As with any big lifestyle change, it doesn’t hurt to chat with your doctor about the implications of this change. After all, this diet isn’t right for everyone - but the vast majority of people can benefit from taking a leap of faith into the world of carnivore.
With that said, a great starting point is learning more about what this diet entails.
Learn More About the Basics of Carnivore Diet Before Getting Started
Before diving in, get a firm understanding of the carnivore diet basics. Research, read books, join online communities, and educate yourself about what the diet entails. The more you know, the better you'll be able to make informed decisions about your food choices.
Our blog will be an invaluable resource as you start this journey. We have an entire article on how to start carnivore diet, along with a separate resource offering carnivore diet tips and tricks for success. You can also learn about
Start Slowly Eliminating Non-Meat Sources
What can you eat on the carnivore diet? Perhaps a better question is what can’t you eat on the diet? After all, this is an exclusionary diet - and virtually everything that doesn’t come from an animal is off-limits.
That means no fruits, no vegetables, no nuts/seeds/legumes, or any sort of processed junk you’ll find in the average American pantry. Instead, your diet will consist of meats, eggs, certain dairy products (that have been minimally processed), and nothing more.
Sounds a bit daunting, right? Well, when you slowly start eliminating non-meat sources it’s much less scary. And, you won’t feel any of the early side effects of carnivore diet like digestive issues when you take this slow-and-steady approach.
This could mean starting with reducing your intake of grains, then moving on from legumes, and finally eliminating fruits and vegetables. Then, it’s just a matter of choosing the right cuts of meat…
Choosing the Right Cuts of Meat & Other Food at the Grocery Store
Quality matters when it comes to the carnivore diet. Opt for the best cuts of meat you can afford. Look for grass-fed, organic, and pasture-raised options where possible.
But, it’s not all about steak and chicken breast. You can keep things fun and fresh by trying more exotic game - like elk, buffalo, quail, you name it. And, don't forget about organ meats, eggs, and seafood - these can offer a wider range of nutrients while expanding your palate so you don’t get bored.
Part of what makes following a psoriasis carnivore diet so tough is the financial side of things - meat is expensive, after all. But, health is wealth - and your psoriasis condition is so painful and demoralizing that you’re willing to pay whatever it takes to make it a problem of the past.
You can save money by going direct to the source - your local butcher. Or, consider buying in bulk, perhaps splitting a cow or pig with a few friends. This also saves you unnecessary trips to the grocery store, and oftentimes, gets you higher-quality meat. Learn more about following the carnivore diet on a budget in our blog. For now, let’s talk preparation.
Preparing Meals in a Manner That Meets to Your Goals Without Getting Bland
Variety is the spice of life, and this is especially true on a carnivore diet. With so few options to choose from in preparing your meals, finding unique methods is more important than ever. The last thing you want is to get a few months into the diet and lose your self-control because everything is so bland and monotonous.
That’s why we recommended experimenting with different cooking methods - grilling, roasting, slow-cooking - to keep things interesting. Of course, you can still enjoy certain seasonings on carnivore diet - just be sure you know which are allowed and which aren’t.
Handling Cravings and Social Situations
The hardest part of consistently adhering to your carnivore diet for psoriasis is going to be handling cravings and social situations. Eliminating carbohydrates from your diet will be tough - especially at first. While you can manage this when eating alone at home, it becomes increasingly difficult when you are out with friends. You don’t want to break your diet and risk a flare-up - but you also want to live your life.
That’s why having the right carnivore diet snacks on hand is such a crucial element of this diet. These can help you fend off cravings no matter where you are. So, what are the best low carb snacks that can satisfy your taste buds while keeping you on track?
While you may think of jerky or biltong, allow us to introduce a superior option: our carnivore chips. These delicious snacks are comprised of just two ingredients - meat and salt. That’s it. And yet, they melt in your mouth almost like a meat pastry, giving way to tantalizing flavors that will leave you totally satisfied.
We have so many options to choose from, too, so you’ll never get tired of the same old thing. Keep your diet fresh by stocking up on our ribeye chips, steak chips, lamb chips, beef chips, brisket chips, chicken chips, and pork chips.
Don’t Forget About Hydration
Water is just as important on a carnivore diet as any other - if not more so. Think about it like this - you’re consuming a whole lot more protein than you are used to. You need to give your body the water it needs to flush out excess protein that would otherwise build-up in your kidneys.
All of this is to say you need to ensure you stay well-hydrated throughout the day, especially in the early stages of the diet when your body is adapting to the change.
Make Adjustments to Calories, Macronutrients, and the Rest of Your Diet Over Time
Finally, remember that the psoriasis carnivore diet isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. You may need to adjust your calorie intake, macronutrient ratios, or specific food choices over time, based on how your body responds. And, while the diet is exclusionary by nature, that doesn’t mean you have to follow it so rigidly.
After you’ve eliminated everything but meat from your diet and given your body a few months to adjust, you can consider slowly adding back in one thing at a time. If the food you add back in doesn’t contribute to your psoriasis symptoms, then there’s no reason to exclude it any longer.
More Advice on Managing Psoriasis Beyond the Carnivore Diet
Beyond following the carnivore diet for psoriasis, what else can you do to manage this condition and keep symptoms at bay? While your doctor can help you set up a protocol based on your specific condition, here are some general tips:
- Keep Stress in Check: Stress can trigger psoriasis flare-ups, so it's important to find ways to manage it. This could be through meditation, yoga, walking, reading, or any activity that helps you relax and decompress.
- Get Plenty of Sleep: Your skin, like the rest of your body, heals and regenerates while you sleep. Make sure you're getting enough quality sleep each night to support your skin's health and your overall well-being.
- Moisturize Regularly: Dry skin can worsen psoriasis symptoms. Use a moisturizer designed for sensitive skin to keep your skin hydrated, especially in dry or cold weather.
- Stay Active: Regular physical activity can help reduce inflammation and boost your mood. Plus, it can help manage weight, which is beneficial as excess weight can exacerbate psoriasis symptoms.
- Limit Alcohol & Quit Smoking: Alcohol and smoking can trigger psoriasis flare-ups and interfere with the effectiveness of certain psoriasis treatments. If you do choose to drink or smoke, do so in moderation. And, just know that you’re contributing to your skin’s own downfall!
At this point, it’s time to wrap up our conversation on following a psoriasis carnivore diet. Let’s bring it all to a close…
Wrapping Up Our Guide on Psoriasis Carnivore Diet Effects & Advice
While psoriasis can take a dramatic toll on your physical and mental well-being, it doesn’t have to be this way anymore. Knowing what a profound difference a psoriasis carnivore diet can make, it’s time to make a change.
We’ve walked you through everything you need to know about the carnivore diet and psoriasis. And so now, the only question is - what’s holding you back?
If you’re ready to say goodbye to the painful, uncomfortable, and most importantly, embarrassing symptoms of psoriasis, head over to grab your meat crisps and start this new phase in your life.
Armed with our resources on the carnivore diet, the best meat snacks available, and the motivation to make psoriasis an unsightly problem of the past, you can feel confident and capable diving into the world of the carnivore diet for psoriasis!
