Does Collagen Have Any Benefits for Psoriasis?

From everydayhealth.com

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that causes inflammation in the skin, resulting in red, scaly, and often itchy or painful patches on different parts of the body.

Symptoms flare up when an overactive immune system speeds up the life cycle of skin cells, leading to build-up on the surface. Common treatments include topical steroids, oral medications, light therapy, and biologic drugs that target specific parts of the immune system. While these treatments can be highly effective, many people with psoriasis are also interested in complementary treatments to help manage symptoms or improve their skin health. 

Collagen, a key protein in skin, muscles, tendons, and more, is one supplement that often comes up in conversations. But does collagen actually have any benefits for psoriasis that are backed by science? 

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a protein found throughout the body, helping with the formation of skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues. But collagen levels in our bodies naturally decline as we get older, which is why collagen supplements are often marketed to improve skin firmness and elasticity.

                                                                                                                  iStock

“Collagen is the protein that fills the deeper layers of skin, and decreases in collagen with age cause us to look older, with more wrinkles. The concept of collagen supplementation is that you want your body to make more collagen in your skin, so you eat collagen, since it has all the ingredients necessary to make more collagen,” says Steven Daveluy, MD, a professor and the program director at Wayne State University’s School of Medicine in Detroit, where he specializes in treating patients with skin diseases, such as psoriasis and eczema.

Collagen can be consumed or used in several ways.

Orally as a supplement: Collagen supplements are sold in the form of powders, pills, or liquids. Most are made up of collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen, which are broken-down forms of the protein that are easier to absorb. They’re sometimes paired with additional nutrients related to skin and hair health, like biotin, vitamin C, or zinc. 

Topically: Collagen is also included in many creams and serums, but it’s effectiveness in boosting collagen production is questionable, says Steven Feldman, MD, PhD, a professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. That’s because topical collagen is too large to seep through the skin and into the body, so it only works on the outside like a moisturizer. “If you're putting it on the skin, it wouldn't be absorbed. It would just sit on the surface,” Dr. Feldman says. 

Through food: Foods high in collagen, such as bone broth, won’t directly raise your collagen level, because your body can’t absorb whole collagen; it has to break it down into amino acids first. But it is thought that eating foods rich in the amino acids that make collagen — glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline — as well as foods containing vitamin C, zinc, and copper, which are necessary for collagen production, can boost collagen production in the body.

This is the preferred route for building collagen and supporting the collagen production process from within, Dr. Daveluy says. “A healthy diet already has those same amino acids and vitamins [as a collagen pill]. I'm a big fan of getting your nutrients from a healthy diet instead of supplements.”

What Is Collagen Used For?

One of the primary uses of collagen is to counter the changes associated with skin aging. As we age, collagen production naturally declines, contributing to wrinkles, sagging, and dryness. Some studies suggest that oral collagen may help to improve skin elasticity, hydration, and fine lines.

Collagen is also used in medicinal and cosmetic purposes including: Collagen injections and collagen-stimulating fillers are used to fill in lines and wrinkles in the skin.

Collagen wound dressings stimulate wound healing.

Oral collagen supplements may reduce joint pain and improve joint function, especially when paired with exercise.

Vascular prosthetics, using donor collagen tissue grafts, are used to reconstruct arteries and make blood vessel prostheses.

• Why Collagen Might Have Benefits for Psoriasis

  There is no strong evidence that collagen has any positive effect on psoriasis — and there isn’t an obvious link between the two, says Chris Adigun, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

  “There is currently no clinical evidence to support taking a collagen supplement to improve psoriasis severity,” Dr. Adigun says.

  “Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease — it’s a disorder of the immune system that leads to [a rapid buildup of skin cells], but it’s also a systemic inflammation that leads to joint pain. Collagen has no place in any of that. They’re just not connected,” she says.

  There are theoretical reasons collagen might offer support for some people with psoriasis; but these benefits aren’t related to treating the autoimmune condition directly, Daveluy says.

  “Studies have shown that collagen peptides can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, but it hasn't been shown if this is helpful in psoriasis or other skin diseases,” he says.

  It can help with moisturizing skin and healing the skin barrier, which are important if psoriatic skin is cracking and damaged, too, for example, Adigun says. But other treatment options yield better, evidence-based, results, such as topical steroids and systemic medications.

  “That's where we should focus our efforts. However, if [people are] interested in improving the appearance of their skin, its hydration and elasticity, and potentially improving wrinkles over a long period, then that would be the only place that oral collagen would have any role in their treatment plan,” Adigun says.

  What the Research Shows About Collagen and Psoriasis

  Research specifically testing collagen as a treatment for psoriasis is limited.

  In a small study published in 2012, researchers tested a bovine-based collagen added to petroleum jelly — or Vaseline — for four to six weeks on 12 patients with plaque psoriasis. The study reported improvements in scaling, redness, and the overall appearance of plaques on participants’ skin.

  But the study had several limitations, according to Feldman: a very small sample size, no control group, and a short duration. “If you just put Vaseline on the skin, scales can disappear, psoriasis can improve, and the itch could get better. Without a control, there's no way to know if this is any better than just plain Vaseline,” he says.

  The study was also open label, which means participants knew what treatment they were receiving, unlike blinded studies where this information is hidden to prevent biases. “The improvement may be due to the placebo effect: if you believe a treatment will work, it actually will,” Daveluy says.

  A review published in 2019 that included 11 studies and 805 study participants looked at whether oral collagen supplementation was effective across skin aging, wound healing, and medical dermatology. While the review found some evidence that collagen boosts skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal density, the authors said further research is needed to figure out if collagen plays a role in medical uses for skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

  It’s an area that requires far more high-quality research — and clinical trials in people with psoriasis. “The collagen studies have focused on the anti-aging effects,” Daveluy says.

  Talk to Your Doctor About Collagen Supplements

  If you’re considering collagen — either orally or topically — it’s important to discuss it with your dermatologist, says Adigun. 

  Helpful questions to ask include:

  • Is topical collagen safe to apply to my skin? 
  • Can collagen — oral or topical — interfere with my current 
  • psoriasis medications?
  • Is oral collagen safe for me, given my medical history?
  • Are there specific ingredients I should avoid in collagen products?

  Adigun says some people’s skin may be hypersensitive to new topical products. Daveluy also warns that patients with food allergies, especially to fish or shellfish, should check the source of any collagen product.

  It’s important to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate supplements, including collagen, which means they do not need to be proven safe or effective before they go on sale. You should do your research and consult with your healthcare team to choose a high-quality supplement from a trusted brand, Feldman says.

  Ask your healthcare team about other complementary treatment options aside from collagen, too. “Talk to your dermatologists about treatments that actually have evidence that they are beneficial for psoriasis. Your skin and your wallet will thank you,” Daveluy says.

  The Takeaway

  • Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes skin cells to grow faster, leading to itchy, inflamed, scaly patches. It’s typically treated with topical steroids, light therapy, oral medications, or biologics that target immune system pathways.
  • Collagen piques people’s curiosity because it’s marketed as a supplement to boost skin health. But research showing benefits of collagen for psoriasis management is limited. Dermatologists note there’s no clear or direct connection between collagen supplementation and improving psoriasis itself.
  • Talk to your doctor before trying collagen, whether oral or topical, to avoid potential adverse effects from allergies, interactions with current treatments, or products that may irritate already inflamed skin.

  https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-conditions/does-collagen-have-any-benefits-for-psoriasis/

Can Collagen Help Treat Psoriasis? Here’s What the Research Says

From healthline.com

Psoriasis causes patches of itchy, discoloured skin with scales that range in colour from whitish-silver to grey.

If you’re among the estimated 3%Trusted Source of U.S. adults who live with this autoimmune condition, you might already know treatment can involve some trial and error.

Psoriasis treatment usually includes topical creams and gels that can help:

• target the overproduction of skin cells
• minimize the appearance of flaky skin
• reduce inflammation and skin discoloration

But these standard approaches don’t work well for everyone, so many people with psoriasis seek out complementary and alternative remedies, such as collagen.

Much of the evidence for collagen’s effectiveness in treating psoriasis remains anecdotal — and even then, the results are mixed. Still, some people believe collagen’s ability to reduce inflammation could help decrease the severity of psoriasis.

Read on to learn what collagen can do for your skin and why some people consider it a complementary approach to treating psoriasis.

What’s collagen?

Collagen is a protein that lends strength and density to many parts of the body, including your:

• bones
• skin
• muscles
• connective tissue

In fact, collagen is the most common protein found not only in the human body but in the entire animal kingdom. It’s an incomplete protein, meaning it doesn’t contain every amino acid (it doesn’t contain tryptophan).

Your body makes its own collagen, known as endogenous collagen. Collagen that comes from outside the body, like in the form of supplements, is called exogenous collagen.

Collagen serves many important functions, including:

• keeping skin elastic
• aiding bone density
• strengthening hair and nails
• supporting joints
• reinforcing ligaments and tendons
• playing a role in wound healing

In addition, collagen helps your body produce and multiply cells. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

How can collagen relieve psoriasis symptoms?

Countless collagen supplements exist, including some that claim to treat psoriasis. That said, research has yet to explore the benefits of collagen for psoriasis in depth.

Still, collagen may have some benefit for psoriasis treatment.

It may help reduce inflammation

The skin plaques that form with psoriasis are believed to result from inflammation, which can have long-term health consequences.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, about 30% of people with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, which involves joint inflammation. Psoriasis could even increase your risk of heart disease due to the inflammation it causes.

But 2018 research has suggested reducing inflammation in the body can help mitigate some of these health risks — and that’s where collagen comes in.

Here are some recent research findings on collagen as a treatment for inflammation:

• According to 2018 research, the anti-inflammatory properties of the amino acids in collagen may help reduce inflammation in arthritis.
• 2021 research underscores the critical role collagen plays in wound healing, including reducing inflammation and supporting the growth of new skin.
• According to 2019 researchTrusted Source linking psoriasis to other inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and diabetes, reducing inflammation in the entire body may effectively help treat psoriasis.

It can improve skin elasticity

Collagen has a well-known role in supporting skin health. In particular, the amino acids in collagen promote the growth of strong, healthy skin.

Collagen can also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles by boosting the density of collagen in the skin — collagen-dense skin is less prone to wrinkling.

In fact, many people take collagen supplements to help:

• maintain skin elasticity
• reduce skin thinning
• keep skin smooth

Some common psoriasis treatments, such as corticosteroids, may prove harsh on the skin. For instance, corticosteroids can sometimes cause your skin to thin.

Supplementing with collagen, then, may help you maintain the health of your skin while using the treatments recommended by your dermatologist.

How to try collagen for psoriasis

You can take collagen in different forms, including:

• powders you add to broth, coffee, soups, smoothies, and more
• supplements in the form of pills and capsules
• collagen-rich foods like bone broth and organ meats

You can find most collagen supplements and powders at your local pharmacy or grocery store.

NOTE

While collagen injections may help reduce visual signs of skin aging, no research supports the use of collagen injections to treat psoriasis.

Types of collagen

While 28 different types of collagen exist, type 1 is the most common in your body.

According to a 2015 study on alternative treatments for psoriasis, some people use type 2 collagen, found mainly in eyes and cartilage, to treat psoriasis.

Collagen comes from many animal sources, including cows, pigs, and marine life, like fish. Marine collagen is often touted as the gold standard when it comes to supplements since it’s:

• better absorbed by your body
• less likely to provoke an immune response and inflammation
• better for the environment

Bone broth is generally considered a high-collagen food, but 2018 research suggested that it may not contain reliable amounts of the amino acids that make collagen effective.

In other words, collagen supplements may offer a better option for getting more collagen into your system. Supplements contain anywhere from 2.5 to 20 grams of collagen per serving.

Keep in mind, though, that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate supplements, so it’s always best to check with your dermatologist or another healthcare professional before you try a new supplement.

Safety and side effects

Generally speaking, experts consider collagen fairly safe for most people to take. Older research from 2000 suggested that it had the potential to cause some mild side effects, including:

• reduced appetite
• heartburn
• digestive issues

If you’re prone to kidney stones, you may want to avoid taking collagen. It contains an amino acid called hydroxyproline, which your body converts to oxalates. In some cases, this could contribute to kidney stones.Trusted Source 

Additionally, collagen contains various animal proteins, which can cause allergic reactions in some people. You’ll want to check the ingredients of any supplement you’re considering to make sure it doesn’t contain any allergens that could trigger a reaction.

And since all naturally occurring collagen is animal-based, it isn’t suitable for vegetarian or vegan diets. However, some people who follow plant-based diets take vegan collagen or supplements that contain the same amino acids as collagen but from plant sources.

Again, it’s always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional before taking a new supplement, especially if you have any health concerns or take any medications.

Other treatment options

In search of other treatments for psoriasis that don’t involve prescription medication?

A 2019 review of alternative psoriasis treatments reports that some people use:

• Turmeric: Turmeric contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory compound. A 2020 study found topical curcumin treatments could help reduce the growth of skin cells involved with psoriasis.
• Coconut oil: A 2021 case study that used an Ayurvedic approach to treat psoriasis included coconut oil as part of treatment for its anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and soothing properties.
• Light therapy: Also called phototherapy, this approach uses ultraviolet light to act on T cells, which are involved in your body’s immune system, to treat psoriasis.
• Dietary changes: Some people use gluten-free, keto, or paleo diets to manage psoriasis. A 2019 review suggests lifestyle and diet changes may soothe psoriasis when they also help keep inflammation low.
• Vitamin D: Both topical and oral vitamin D supplements may be comparable to prescription psoriasis treatments like corticosteroids, according to 2015 researchTrusted Source.
• Fish oil: A 2020 review found that fish oil could help people manage psoriasis along with co-occurring inflammatory conditions like obesity and heart disease.

The bottom line

Psoriasis may be a skin condition, but its causes typically run much deeper, with their roots in inflammation and your immune response. In other words, collagen supplements alone likely won’t cure psoriasis.

All the same, collagen can certainly benefit your skin and help soothe inflammation, so boosting a nutrient-rich and anti-inflammatory diet with more collagen could prove helpful.

Just keep in mind it’s always safest to check with a healthcare professional before trying collagen supplements.

https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/collagen-and-psoriasis