Should eggs be avoided if you have psoriasis? There’s no strong evidence that suggests eating eggs worsens psoriasis symptoms or causes inflammation. Eggs can be a part of a balanced diet for psoriasis, although individual food triggers can vary.

There’s no single food or diet that’s been proven to treat psoriasis, but anti-inflammatory eating patterns may help. We’ll explore what the research says about anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Mediterranean diet and Autoimmune Protocol Diet, as well as how eggs fit into an overall psoriasis-friendly eating pattern.

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The Effect of Diet on Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects skin health and may be influenced by inflammation in the body. Although what you eat doesn’t directly cause psoriasis, some foods may influence inflammation or affect the immune system. Limited evidence exists when it comes to how specific foods trigger psoriasis or inflammation.

However, some common foods that may be related to inflammation and psoriasis symptoms include:

• Refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, white pasta, and many cereals
• Foods high in saturated or trans fat
• Alcohol
• Dairy products
• Processed foods with added sugars
• Food or drinks with gluten (due to gluten sensitivity or celiac disease)

Not everyone with psoriasis should avoid these foods. For instance, gluten- or dairy-containing foods should be avoided only if you’re sensitive to them, because they contain healthy nutrients and can benefit overall health.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Psoriasis

Rather than focusing on foods to eliminate, following an anti-inflammatory diet may be helpful for overall health and better psoriasis outcomes. The Mediterranean diet focuses on healthy, wholesome foods, like whole grains, legumes, olive oil, and fruits and vegetables, while limiting inflammatory foods, like processed ones. Eggs are part of the Mediterranean diet, offering lean protein alongside fish and tofu.

The Autoimmune Protocol Diet (AIP) for Psoriasis

The autoimmune protocol diet is similar to the Paleo diet in the way that it emphasizes minimally processed foods. It also recommends removing common trigger foods like nightshade vegetables, legumes, and eggs, as well as processed foods and alcohol, for a period of time. You can work with your doctor and dietitian to see whether symptoms improve when you omit a food, then add it back in phases.

Potential Benefits of Eating Eggs

Eggs contain several beneficial components and can fit into a healthy diet, but more evidence is needed to link eating eggs with improved psoriasis symptoms. Eggs do contain the following nutrients for overall health and well-being:

• Phosphorus
• B vitamins: pantothenic acid (B5), cyanocobalamin (B12), biotin (B7), folate (B9), riboflavin (B2)
• Vitamin D
• Iodine
• Selenium
• Protein
• Monounsaturated fatty acids

Some of these nutrients may be beneficial for people with psoriasis. For instance, eggs provide vitamin D. There isn’t enough evidence to claim vitamin D improves psoriasis symptoms, but it may slow down the development of psoriasis plaques.

Eggs are also a nutritious source of high-quality protein, which helps support strong muscles, immunity, and better body composition. Eggs may also help support a healthy weight, which is often recommended for managing psoriasis.

Eggs are also a source of vitamin B12, which is important for healthy blood flow and nerve function. Some studies have found lower levels of vitamin B12 in people with psoriasis, and topical B12 ointments have been studied as a treatment for psoriasis symptoms. However, more research is needed on the role that vitamin B12 from dietary sources, such as eggs, has in psoriasis.

What About Egg Yolks?

The yolk of an egg contains dietary cholesterol. Research suggests that eggs may have a minimal effect on blood cholesterol levels, although individual responses vary.

Your overall diet and lifestyle patterns matter when it comes to cholesterol levels. If you’re unsure if you need to monitor your cholesterol levels, contact your healthcare provider.

A benefit of eating egg yolks is that they are one of the few dietary sources of vitamin D. As noted above, vitamin D has been studied for its anti-inflammatory properties and role in psoriasis treatment, but we need more studies to find out how eating foods rich in vitamin D might help with psoriasis.

Egg Preparation Matters

How eggs are cooked can affect the overall nutrient content and health benefits. For example, research suggests that boiling eggs results in minimally lower concentrations of vitamin D than raw eggs.

How you prepare your food can affect the meal’s overall nutrition. Boiling rather than frying an egg cuts down on the amount of fat (e.g., oil, butter) used to prepare an egg. This may be the safer option for people whose psoriasis triggers include fried foods.

How Many Eggs To Eat per Day or Week

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition, especially when it comes to how many eggs you should eat each week or each day. For most healthy adults, about one whole egg per day can be appropriate for a heart-healthy diet, depending on what else you eat and what your healthcare team recommends.

The bottom line is that there’s no concrete answer to whether eggs are good or bad for psoriasis, and more research is needed to determine the health benefits and drawbacks of eggs for people with this condition. Ask your doctor or dermatologist for recommendations on adding or limiting eggs in your psoriasis diet, and track any symptoms that come up after eating eggs or other foods.