An overview of beneficial foods and substances that can help.
Whilst the advice below is based on scientific clinical studies, it is not considered a substitute for medical treatment, and we recommend that sufferers consult their Doctor. However, the nutritional information in this article may be of valuable additional help.
Psoriasis is a skin disease that is characterised by the development of red patches that are covered over with silvery-white scales. The disease particularly affects the scalp and extensor surfaces of the elbows and knees, but can appear anywhere on the body.
The skin grows from a basal cell at the bottom of several layers of cells. These basal cells multiply with psoriasis up to 1,000 times faster than they should. The resulting higher layers cannot shed off quickly enough and the characteristic appearance results. There are two chemical complexes called cAMP and cGMP that inhibit or encourage cell proliferation, respectively. An imbalance caused by a decrease of cAMP or an increase of cGMP results in excessive cell growth. Commonly, psoriasis sufferers are found to show a reduction of cAMP
cAMP is a special molecule that acts as an intermediary messenger directing specific hormones to the chemical actions within the cell. The cAMP is another hormone that acts as a messenger to the cell but in a different way to the cAMP. Both cGMP and cAMP are required to be in a "co-operative balance" for optimum function. Both the cAMP and cGMP are made within the body.
The high levels of skin cell turnover or proliferation experienced with Psoriasis sufferers can be stimulated by cGMP. Skin cells are normally replaced during a twenty-eight day cycle, however for the psoriasis sufferer this cell replacement can be as quick as 5 days.
There are many factors that can potentially imbalance these chemicals. Certain proteins and toxic compounds from bacterial and yeast metabolism in the bowel are known to inhibit cAMP, or increase cGMP respectively. The proteins and toxins responsible are derived from unbalanced bowel flora or digestive problems and are an essential factor to correct in treating psoriasis.
Toxins are normally broken down by the liver and any deficiency in liver function can cause or encourage psoriasis. Alcohol and smoking are particularly straining on the liver, as are most drugs. Several studies have shown the damaging effect of alcohol and cigarettes on psoriasis cases. Managing stress is a fundamental consideration for the psoriasis sufferer.
Deficiencies in certain oils, amino acids and zinc have all been shown to contribute and/or cause psoriasis. Increased levels of insulin and glucose also seem to have an effect.
There is evidence that stressful events may trigger psoriasis, and certainly stress is an important factor in most skin conditions. This is because adrenaline and other substances called catecholamines (these are groups of hormones and neurotransmitters) affect the amount of blood flow to the skin.
There may be some connection to an auto-immune syndrome (the body attacking itself) because an arthritic condition may be associated with psoriasis. Nails may become characteristically pitted due to fluctuations in the growth rate of the nail bed.
Diet and Nutrition
Diet is a key area that requires the psoriasis sufferer to consider most carefully. Dietary factors can exacerbate psoriasis and a high intake of acid forming foods is often associated with its spread.
Sufferers of psoriasis are often found to be deficient in certain essential fatty acids (EFAs). Therefore appropriate dietary intake of the beneficial EFAs or an EFA supplement can be beneficial in helping to alleviate the symptoms, along with other dietary changes and supplements. Dietary EFAs can be obtained from nuts and seeds (and their oils) and from oily fish.
Alongside the extra intake of beneficial oils, it is wise to cut down on saturated and ’damaged’ fat intake. Damaged fats include those that are cooked for long periods of time and / or at high temperatures. It is therefore advisable to cut down on consuming deep fried foods, and instead use good quality organic oil each time, preferably in its raw form. Artificial fats (e.g. margarine and low fat spreads) are seen as "foreign" by the body and are difficult to utilise efficiently, and butter used sparingly is a healthier option in helping to reduce saturated fat intake.
Mineral deficiencies implicated in psoriasis include iron, potassium, selenium, silicon, sulphur and zinc. A change of diet can help re-balance the mineral intake and a foodstate daily multi-mineral supplement will help further.
Folic acid is another nutrient found to be deficient in psoriasis sufferers. A multivitamin can help to redress such a deficiency, providing important minerals such as beta carotene, vitamin B12 vitamin C and vitamin E which have been shown to help.
Specific foods which can help alleviate psoriasis are any green leafy vegetables (rich in folic acid) and particularly wholegrain organic brown rice. The latter has been shown to be particularly effective, possibly due to its ability to help cleanse the body of waste products.
Water (consumed as plain water) will undoubtedly help, as it not only helps the body to purify, but will also rehydrate the skin. Adequate water can help to improve the elimination of the toxins that are associated with psoriasis. As an indication, around 2 litres daily are recommended for a 12 stone adult.
General advice (in brief)
- Regular bowel motions are necessary to keep the colon cleansed and increased fibre and water intake is essential.
- Consider a meditation technique that suits you to help reduce stress.
- Ensure that a regular exercise period is adopted each day.
- A 20 minute brisk walk each day (twice is better) is a good practice to adopt if possible.
- Ultraviolet light from sunshine is beneficial. Ultraviolet B is a preferred treatment although ultraviolet A (PUVA therapy) is offered by orthodox treatment centres. The PUVA therapy may be associated with side effects.
- Localised heat through electric pads or ultrasound may be effective.
Nutritional considerations
- The association of psoriasis with bowel toxicity is well documented. It is sensible to remove animal fats for a while (6-8 weeks), refined sugars, sweeteners and acid-forming foods generally (see acid/alkaline food chart on home-page).
- Fungal causing foods such as bread and some mushrooms are best reduced. Organic rye bread is an exception; however a modest intake is suggested.
- Weight-reducing diets automatically cut out refined foods and may be beneficial. However many weight reducing programs suggest the consumption of low fat products that are not helpful for skin conditions.
- Oily fish such as salmon and herring can also be added into the diet; however choose organic or wild fish whenever possible.
- 1 teaspoonful of organic linseed oil 3 times a day (from glass containers) has been shown to be helpful.
- A high percentage of psoriasis sufferers will benefit from a gluten free diet. A three-month period without gluten is recommended by many health practitioners.
- Consume plenty of vegetables, including carrots, onions and garlic, and low acid fruits and whole brown rice.
- Try to make 20% of your dietary intake raw uncooked foods. These should of course be foodstuffs that are suitable to consume raw, and it is better to consume raw foods before cooked foods.
- Fasting has been shown for some sufferers to improve psoriasis because it helps to decrease the level of toxins in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Refined carbohydrates, flour products, simple sugars, hydrogenated fats & margarines are best avoided.
- Meats can be considered undesirable as they reduce the beneficial actions of Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Optimum balance of PGE1 is necessary to perform its function of inhibiting the release of Arachidonic acid. Unhappily, Arachidonic acid is a key precursor for the production of Prostaglandin E2 which is highly undesirable. Prostaglandins can be considered as substances that are types of fatty acids that function in a similar way to hormones. Although most prostaglandins are beneficial, there is a need to help the balance by consuming a predominantly alkali dietary intake, and meat is acidic.
- A vegetarian diet with low protein intake has been shown to improve the skin condition. A low acid vegetarian diet will also be of considerable benefit to those afflicted with psoriatic arthritis.
- Should a vegetarian diet prove difficult, then deep-sea white fish such as cod may be considered. However, most fish are particularly susceptible to contamination by detrimental bacteria and food toxins.
- Mackerel should be considered as an undesirable fish due to the uniquely high levels of toxic heavy metal found it contains.
- Try to avoid all farmed fish.
- Decrease the intake of vegetable oils, and especially the intake of foods high in Omega 6.
- A reduction of dairy foods – with the exception of organic live plain yogurt.
- A reduction is all foods that have been sweetened.
In summary, there are many foods that can be beneficial for the psoriasis sufferer, but those which help one sufferer may not necessarily help another. Research has shown however, that there are some general guidelines that are common to all sufferers and these include:
- Increasing the amount of raw foods in the diet.
- Regaining a beneficial balance of acid and alkaline foods. Almost without exception the dietary intake of the psoriasis sufferer has been shown to be high in acid forming foods.
- The elimination of alcohol completely.
- Tobacco smoking has been thought by some health practitioners to be a significant contributing factor for psoriasis.
- Take in plenty of fresh air and exercise
- A reduction in animal fats
A note regarding Tryptophan
While it is true that the cells of psoriasis require Tryptophan (an essential amino acid) for their production, the reduction of high tryptophan foods in the diet does assist with regression of the condition. Tryptophan cannot be manufactured within the body and can only be acquired from foods or supplements. In fact, there are many cases of exclusion of tryptophan foods that have resulted in complete regression of the disease within weeks.
Foods high in tryptophan include spirulina, soy protein, most dairy foods and eggs, meats, poultry, canned tuna and crab.
Foods that contain no tryptophan at all include: apples, celery, grapes, mushrooms, olive oil, honey, ripe pineapple, pumpkin, green tea – the latter to be encouraged.
Foods containing only trace amounts of this amino acid include: asparagus, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, lettuce, melons, onions, peaches, pears, peas, radish, rice, sprouts and tomatoes.
Foods with moderate amounts include: bananas, beans, beetroot, cherries, currants, dates, figs, oatmeal, potatoes, prunes, raisins and spinach.
While tomatoes are low in tryptophan, they are high acid foods and it is better to avoid or limit their intake. Avocado pears and broccoli are also best kept low in the diet.
While the Vitamin B Complex does have the facility to produce Tryptophan, we have to consider that healthy cells do also require trace amounts of this amino acid, which is considered essential. Without question, a high alkali forming food intake, at least 60-65%, will offer significant improvement.
There are many additional suggestions but an important one to include is attention to chewing foods thoroughly and slowly. A significant proportion of the beneficial nutrients in foods can be reduced by "gulping" foods.
Help for a psoriasis sufferer can be enhanced by taking some time each day to focus on positive aspects to life. This is part of us all that generally does not get "fed" properly.
Helpful Procedures and Materials
To repeat the message, to help relieve the condition, adopt techniques that start the detoxification process. To help visualise this process, consider the analogy of treating an overgrown garden: There is a need to uproot and eliminate the weeds and overgrowth first.
The Gardner would then improve the soil and only then plant the new seeds. The human process can commence with the cleaning of the blood and bowels of morbid matter, improving proper liver function, and then replenishing the body with appropriate foods.
A sensible consideration for the start of a detoxification procedure is to remember that many foods contain specific nutrients for the necessary cleansing. When cleansing, we need to support the body in its work by consuming foods or foodstate supplements with high levels of antioxidants.
A release of toxins into the system is not sensible unless we also provide additional support for the body to detoxify these substances and facilitate their removal from the body.
Beneficial detoxification and cleansing substances in foods are far preferable to some of the harsh preparations that are commercially sold.
Bathing
These two oils have been used for many years throughout the Middle East for psoriasis and other skin conditions.
- Sweet almond - 5 drops into bathwater
- Bergamot
Shampoos
The suggestion is to find a shampoo that does not contain the substance called Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) as this can cause additional drying of the skin and may damage the stratum corneum (the outer layers of the skin). This substance is an undesirable chemical foaming agent that is also found in toothpaste and cosmetics; it is also associated with causing damage to the eyes, liver and can accumulate within the brain. Mouth ulcers can be caused by SLS according to studies, and it can also dry out the mucous membranes of the mouth, increasing the risk of mouth ulcers.
Lavender and Sweet almond oil may be used as alternative to and separate from Bergamot. Apricot kernel and sesame seed oils applied topically while the hair is still damp can help reduce the flaking.
Psoriasis on the scalp can be helped by using a good shampoo containing Tea Tree Oil. Good quality tea tree helps to reduce the itching. A therapeutic shampoo can also provide very welcome relief in the short term, whilst the dietary measures outlined above take effect over the longer term. Lavender oil has been used in place of shampoo and can be applied after a shampoo while the hair is still damp.
Sea-Water
Bathing in sea-water has proved most beneficial and is most often temporarily effective.
Dead Sea bath salts have shown significant improvement in clinical studies according to Israeli dermatologists, but it must be said that this is often expensive as the person will require in all at least 18 kilos and will need to take three baths per week for six weeks.
A cool to luke-warm bath with added apple-cider vinegar has been shown to reduce itching. Organic porridge oats suspended in a muslin cloth in bath water have also been known to be of considerable help.
Another method to soothe itching is to dissolve one third of a cup of baking soda to a gallon of water, soak a cloth in the solution, and then having wrung out excess liquid, apply the cloth to the affected area.
Urea applied topically has been found beneficial both in terms of reducing itching and scaling.
Sunlight
Over 90% of psoriasis sufferers show improvement to their skin condition on regular exposure to warm sunlight. However, UVA light, while often considered helpful, appears to have as many exponents for as against.
Ointments
While coal-tar treatments have often been advocated and sometimes been successful, they are probably not the most sensible therapy to consider.
Herbs that have been found helpful include;
- Milk Thistle extracts help the removal of waste materials thereby helping to improve the function of the liver.
- Sarsaparilla extract can help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis
- Burdock extract can help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis
- Red Clover extract or capsules has been found helpful
- Turmeric is a spice that has been found to contain strong antioxidants valuable in cleansing the body of toxins
Topical herbal creams and lotions that can be helpful include;
- Calendula cream can help to alleviate the skin flaking.
- Chamomile cream can help the skin to repair.
Before you start, you may wish to consider our Detox Formula which will cleanse your body and aide your gut's ability to absorb the nutrients within the Psoriasis program. It will also help replenish the intestinal tract with healthy flora and enhance your overall health and wellbeing.
