6 Spices that Fight Inflammation

Adjusting your diet can help with just about anything, especially if you are living with psoriatic arthritis. Next time you’re in the kitchen whipping up dinner, consider adding these anti-inflammatory spices to your meal, which are great for controlling the inflammation caused by psoriatic arthritis.

1. Tumeric

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body.

Whatsmore, a study published in October 2017 in the European Journal of Pharmacology found that curcumin demonstrated an anti-psoriasis effect by helping to reduce the inflammation caused by the condition.

How does this all work? Well, turmeric essentially works by lowering levels of certain enzymes in the body that cause inflammation.

Before you head out and stock up on Tumeric, the Arthritis Foundation recommends checking products beforehand, noting that curcumin makes up only about 2 to 6 percent of turmeric. It is also important to limit your doses of Tumeric. High doses can act as a blood thinner and can cause stomach upset.

2. Chilli Pepper

If you like spicy food, you are in luck! Peppers get their heat from a compound called capsaicin, which “works by binding to pain receptors on your tongue, sending a signal to your brain, according to Alison Massey, RD, CDCES, owner of Flourish Nutrition Therapy and Wellness in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland.

Although there is no specific dose of chili pepper recommended for fighting inflammation, Massey says consuming too much capsaicin can be harmful. Therefore, it is important to listen to your body. The best way to avoid overindulging is to include a little spice in your dishes each day, as your body tolerates it.

Luckily, you won’t struggle to find ways to incorporate this spice into your meals. Chili peppers are great for firing up meat and seafood dishes, stews, soups, dressings, marinades, etc.