Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that targets the skin, and plaques that result commonly show up on the elbows, knees, or scalp, but the plaques can show up anywhere on the body.
Normally your body produces new skin cells and sheds old ones every 28-30 days.
With psoriasis, your immune system is in overdrive, causing skin inflammation and skin cell turnover to occur faster than normal.
Instead of taking 28-30 days for skin cells to turnover, new cells are pushed to the surface in 3-4 days.
Because your body can’t shed the old dead cells as fast as new ones are being produced, they pile up and form thick, red, itchy, flaky, scaly patches called plaques, which may burn and sting.
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown. There are various factors involved, however, and when they occur together, they result in autoimmunity and, for some people, the symptoms of psoriasis.
There is scientific evidence that psoriasis is associated with differences in the gut microbiome when compared to the microbiomes of healthy individuals without psoriasis.
These differences can negatively impact the immune system by triggering specific, inflammatory immune responses.
These identified gut microbiome / immune system interactions suggest that by addressing gut microbiome imbalances, you can effectively address and manage psoriasis.
There is also long-standing scientific evidence that leaky gut plays a role.
What can you do?
There are a variety of nutrient needs common with skin conditions like psoriasis, including omega 3 fish oils, zinc, vitamin B2, niacin, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin D. Eating foods rich in these nutrients, and others that are important for skin health, is paramount for healthy skin.
Think food first! If you want to supplement, test don’t guess! All nutrients work together in the body. Supplementing with individual nutrients can push others out of balance and cause additional problems.
Because psoriasis is associated with leaky gut, avoiding foods that contribute to gut hyperpermeability can help, including:
Gluten
Alcohol
Nightshades (tomatoes, white potatoes, peppers [spicy, bell, etc.]), eggplant)
Food additives
Sugar
Salt
Emulsifiers (found in processed baked goods, dairy, mayonnaise, sauces, ice cream, margarine, and convenience foods)
Organic solvents (used to produce edible oils like soy oil and are found as additives like stabilizers, preservatives, and flavorings)
Microbial transglutaminase (used in baked goods and conventionally raised/produced meat, fish and dairy for texture, appearance, hardness, preservability, and elasticity)
Nanoparticles (used to improve taste, color, uniformity and texture of foods, used in food packaging, or to kill bacteria)
Your skin is a detox organ, and adequate detoxification is important for healthy skin.
Toxin buildup that can’t be excreted via regular routes (liver to the bowels) can make its way out through the skin, causing flares.
This can happen when phase 1 liver detox is pushed too hard, when phase 2 isn’t working as well as it should, and when there are gut problems.
In particular, it’s essential to have a bowel movement 1-3 times every day. If you’re not, addressing constipation is critical!
Diet plays a role in detox too, and there are a variety of nutrients necessary for supporting your body's detox pathways. Including foods in your diet rich in these nutrients is a good first step to improving detox function.
The skin has its own microbiome that needs to be addressed, and the skin microbiome also plays a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. There are various topical options to help support your skin microbiome and some that you should avoid.
Exercise, getting enough sleep, and stress management are examples of lifestyle factors that play a major role in your skin and overall health.
