Dairy Products and PsA: That's Bad for Me

Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that affects the autoimmune system. I grew up on a farm, dairy was a part of my life every day. I would itch like crazy for years, but never knew why.

Dairy and inflammation

On a visit to my rheumatologist he suggested I cut back on dairy products. I started doing some research and found a ton of information on the subject of what and what not to eat. Dairy seemed to be number one on the chart. I talked to people who I know had changed their diet and got some ideas on the subject. So I decided to try something new for me.

I would eat dairy food for a week and then stop for two weeks. On the week that I ate dairy. I could feel the difference; the itch was unbearable.

When I researched these products I have found out that they cause me more pain and swelling in the body. Also something that never crossed my mind was the extra weight that I was putting on which was putting pressure on my joints. Dairy foods are such a big culprit of inflammation. I loved ice cream and would eat it every day.

Limiting dairy

Since learning what these foods can do to me. I have cut back. I don’t eat as much ice cream as I used too. I am a coffee drinker and I use to love pouring milk (dairy product) in my coffee, which was making my condition worsen. It took me forever to learn how to drink coffee without cream. Bagels and cream cheese are a thing of the past for me now.

I know these foods are my enemies. It is still strange for me to look in my refrigerator and see no milk, cheese, cream cheese or anything that is a dairy product. It has been such an improvement in my psoriatic arthritis. I can tell the difference when I wake up in the mornings.

Decreased inflammation

When I use to consume all these products there was more stiffness, more aches and more pain. Inflammation from better dairy products can cause so many problems with me. In all of my experiences, and making changes in my life this has been a big one. Everything I consumed had dairy in it. I switch out my yogurts for fruits and vegetables.

Yes, this was hard for me at first. I’ve got use to the change.  I still get cravings for my favorite foods, but I think about the inflammation that can overtake my body. I am getting used to salads and trying to enjoy them. I think there is a lot of improvement in my joints from this change.

Feeling healthier

I don’t regret cleaning out my refrigerator because when I did, I also cleaned the junk out of my system. I must say I feel much better some days. There is so much information that we don’t know that can give us a better and healthier lifestyle.

My goal is to help others on this journey and share what I have learned over the past 50 years of having psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Over the years I have been an active advocate for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, speaking up and out about this disease.

Have you cleaned your refrigerator out lately?