The #1 Nutrient to Focus On to Reduce Your Risk of Psoriasis

From eatingwell.com

Omega-3s may help support psoriasis

KEY POINTS

• No nutrient can cure or prevent psoriasis, but eating more omega-3s may help.
• Omega-3s help reduce inflammation and support your skin’s barrier.
• Eat more fatty fish, chia seeds and walnuts, and talk to your doctor about supplements.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the skin to build up into scaly, inflamed patches—and if you live with it, you have likely wondered whether changing your meals could calm your skin. It is a fair question, and an honest answer matters here. “There is no diet proven to prevent psoriasis or cure it,” shares Yoon Hang Kim, M.D. But all hope isn’t lost. Kim adds, “Diet can plausibly influence inflammation and psoriasis symptom severity.” And focusing on certain nutrients may have an impressive impact.

If you want one nutrient worth extra attention, make it omega-3 fatty acids. Found in fatty fish, certain nuts and seeds, and supplements, these fats have a growing body of research behind them when it comes to inflammatory conditions. Because psoriasis is driven by an overactive immune response, an anti-inflammatory nutrient like omega-3s makes sense as a starting point. They are not a magic fix, and the evidence comes with caveats. But they may be a smart, food-first place to begin. Below, we break down what the research actually shows, how omega-3s may help, and practical ways to add them to your routine.

How Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help Reduce Your Risk of Psoriasis

Here are some of the reasons researchers are paying attention to omega-3s when it comes to psoriasis.

They Target Inflammation Directly

Psoriasis is fundamentally an inflammatory disease, and omega-3s influence the pathways that fuel it. “Omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation,” says Geeta Yadav, M.D. Some research also suggests omega-3s help your body produce specialized pro-resolving compounds that signal inflammation to wind down rather than linger. These effects are promising but still being studied, so omega-3s are best viewed as a supportive piece of a broader plan rather than a cure.

They May Lower Psoriasis Risk in Genetic Studies

Some of the strongest signals come from Mendelian randomization research, which uses genetic data to reduce confounding. In one analysis, higher circulating omega-3 levels were associated with a reduced risk of developing psoriasis. Because this method looks at genetically predicted omega-3 levels, it strengthens the case for a possible protective link, though the authors note that further validation is still needed.

They May Help Balance Omega-3 and Omega-6 Intake

One reason omega-3s draw so much interest is the company they keep in modern diets, which tend to be heavy in omega-6 fats from vegetable oils, ultra-processed snacks and many packaged foods. Actively adding omega-3-rich foods, like fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseed, may help shift that ratio toward a more balanced, less inflammatory state. Higher circulating omega-6 fatty acids have been associated with an increased risk of psoriasis, while circulating omega-3 fatty acids showed no causal effect on the condition. Raising your omega-3 intake remains a practical, food-first way to help tip the balance in a more favourable direction.

They May Support the Skin Barrier

Beyond calming inflammation, omega-3s appear to play a role in skin barrier function and healthy skin cell activity. Researchers have linked these fats to better lipid balance in the skin and improved regulation of the cells involved in psoriasis. This supportive role is one more reason omega-3s show up so often in discussions about diet and skin health.

Strategies to Include Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Food is the best place to start when trying to increase omega-3 fatty acid intake. A common general goal is to eat fatty fish a couple of times a week, which helps you build a steady intake of EPA and DHA. Here are a few practical ways to get more omega-3s into your routine:

• Eat fatty fish twice a week. Salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring are rich in EPA and DHA. Two servings, each about the size of a deck of cards, is a realistic weekly target.
• Add plant sources of ALA. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds onto oatmeal or yogurt, or snack on a small handful of walnuts.
• Consider a supplement if you fall short. If you rarely eat fish, an omega-3 supplement can help close the gap. Talk with your doctor first, especially if you take blood thinners.

It is worth being realistic about what supplements can and cannot do. “It doesn’t work well as a stand-alone treatment, but in combination with prescription psoriasis medications, it appears to improve clearance faster than medications alone. The caveat is you need high doses—typically 3 to 4 grams per day of combined EPA and DHA,” says Joel Spitz, M.D. In other words, omega-3s may complement your treatment, but they are not a substitute for it, and the doses studied are higher than most people get from food alone.

Other Tips to Help Prevent Psoriasis

Omega-3s are one piece of a bigger picture. Your overall eating pattern and daily habits can also influence inflammation and flare frequency. These strategies may help support your skin and general health:

• Build meals around a Mediterranean-style pattern. “The strongest practical pattern is a Mediterranean-style, nutrient-dense diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts and olive oil, while limiting alcohol, refined sugar, processed foods and excess saturated fat,” says Kim. This approach naturally raises your intake of anti-inflammatory foods.
• Limit alcohol. Heavy drinking has been linked to more frequent and severe psoriasis. Cutting back may help, and it can also support your treatment working as intended.
• Aim for a healthy weight. Excess body weight is associated with higher inflammation and can make psoriasis harder to manage. Small, sustainable changes tend to stick better than crash diets.
• Quit smoking. Smoking is associated with higher psoriasis risk and severity. Stopping can support both your skin and your long-term health.

Our Expert Take

No single nutrient can prevent or cure psoriasis, but your diet may influence inflammation and how your symptoms behave over time. Omega-3 fatty acids stand out as the nutrient to focus on, with research linking higher circulating levels to reduced psoriasis risk (though more validation is still needed). Start with food first, lean on fatty fish and plant sources, and consider a supplement only with your doctor’s guidance, since meaningful supplement effects appear to require higher doses alongside prescription treatment. Round out your routine with a Mediterranean-style eating pattern, less alcohol, a healthy weight and no smoking. Together, these steps can support your skin and your overall health, even if they cannot promise a cure.

https://www.eatingwell.com/omega-3-for-psoriasis-12010664 

Plant-Based Diets May Lower Psoriasis Risk and Severity

From medcentral.com

New research highlights nutrition’s expanding role in the inflammatory skin condition 

Dietary interventions may help reduce psoriasis severity and, in some cases, the development of the inflammatory skin condition. Nutrition may be the key.

Emerging evidence supports the role of nutrition in psoriasis management, including the potential benefits of plant-based and Mediterranean-style dietary patterns, the role of weight loss and adiposity in psoriasis pathogenesis, and the relationship between diet quality and long-term psoriasis risk. As patient interest in nutrition counselling continues to increase, the latest research outlined below may help you identify opportunities for practical, evidence-informed discussions around psoriasis diet and care.

Healthy Plant-Based Eating May Reduce Psoriasis Incidence

Goals

This prospective cohort study evaluated whether adherence to different dietary quality patterns was associated with incident psoriasis risk and whether genetic susceptibility modified these associations. Investigators used UK Biobank data to assess plant-based dietary patterns, Mediterranean diet adherence, inflammatory dietary indices, and other diet quality measures in relation to future psoriasis development.

Study Details

• Investigators analysed 121,299 UK Biobank participants without psoriasis at baseline who completed at least two Oxford WebQ 24-hour dietary recalls. Median follow-up was 11.4 years; 822 incident psoriasis cases were identified through self-report, hospital, and primary care records.

• Ten dietary quality indices were evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, clinical, environmental, and body mass index (BMI) covariates, including the Plant-Based Diet Index (PDI), Mediterranean Diet Score, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Healthy Diet Index, and Dietary Inflammatory Index.

• Strengths included the large prospective design, repeated dietary assessments, and integration of polygenic risk scores. Limitations included reliance on self-reported dietary intake, limited ethnic diversity, potential residual confounding, observational design preventing causal inference, and lack of psoriasis-specific immunologic biomarkers.

Key Findings

• Participants with the highest adherence to a plant-based dietary pattern (PDI scores 56 to 77) had a 19% lower risk of incident psoriasis compared with those with the lowest adherence (hazard ratio [HR], 0.806; 95% CI, 0.651 to 0.997), although no statistically significant interaction (P for trend = 0.028) between diet and genetic susceptibility was identified.

• Greater intake of less healthy plant-based foods, including refined grains (HR, 1.097; 95% CI, 1.032 to 1.165) and sweets/desserts (HR, 1.086; 95% CI, 1.030 to 1.144), was associated with increased psoriasis risk, while healthier plant-based dietary patterns appeared protective across multiple sensitivity analyses.

• Mediation analyses suggested that reductions in adiposity and serum urate partially explained the relationship between plant-based diets and psoriasis risk, with BMI mediating approximately 14% of the observed protective association.

https://www.medcentral.com/dermatology/psoriasis/plant-based-diets-may-lower-psoriasis-risk-and-severity

7 science-backed holiday gifts for people with psoriasis

From medicalnewstoday.com

The holiday season is just around the corner. For those wondering what to buy a loved one with psoriasis, look no further. These research-backed ideas are helpful, thoughtful, and take the guess-work out of shopping with psoriasis in mind.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by thickened, raised, and often scaly patches of reddened or discoloured skin. Known as psoriasis plaques, these lesions can be painful and itchy and can be a source of significant physical and psychological distress.

As a chronic condition, daily life often revolves around psoriasis and its symptoms, and the gift-giving seasons are no exception. Buying gifts for a loved one with psoriasis can be challenging. Certain ingredients, products, fabrics, and foods may cause symptoms to worsen or flare up.

While it is always good practice to learn more about a loved one’s unique psoriasis needs and preferences before buying a gift, research does suggest certain presents may be more beneficial than others.

1. Over-the-counter (OTC) body products

OTC products, or those that do not require a prescription, are often a large part of a psoriasis skin care routine. Packaging several strategic products together in a gift basket can make a great holiday present for someone who has psoriasis.

Consider including OTC products containing coal tar or corticosteroids, which can help reduce inflammation and itching in psoriasis.

Incorporate other OTC body products that contain salicylic acid, urea, or lactic acid. These ingredients can help effectively remove scalesTrusted Source on psoriasis plaques. Just try not to overdo it, as too much of these ingredients may make symptoms worse.

Pairing these ingredients with a fragrance-free moisturiser can also help combat skin dryness and irritation.

Finally, be sure to avoid products that contain potentially irritating ingredients, such as:

• alcohol
• dyes
• fragrances
• abrasive exfoliants

2. Humidifiers

Dry air is a known enemy of psoriasis skin.

When the humidity in the air is low, it causes moisture to evaporate rapidly from the skin. However, moisture is essential to maintaining skin barrier function. When skin is already affected by psoriasis, dry air can compound skin irritation by pulling away skin moisture.

Gifting a humidifier may help. Humidifiers convert water to vapor, which gets distributed into the air and increases humidity. Humidifiers come in all shapes and sizes, from large units that cover an entire room to mini USB devices for vehicles.

3. Oatmeal-based products

Oatmeal has a long history of use in the treatment of skin conditions. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. It also appears to promote skin barrier repair.

Oatmeal products, like other OTC products, can make a great gift-basket addition for a loved one with psoriasis.

Or, consider gifting a blender or food processor that can be used to make colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground whole oats. When mixed with water, it makes a thick paste that can be applied directly to psoriasis plaques or used as an oatmeal soak to relieve skin symptoms.

4. Breathable clothing

Clothing items that make good gifts for a loved one with psoriasis are those at are loose-fitting and made from natural fabrics such as:

• cotton
• linen
• bamboo
• silk

Keep in mind that tight-fitting clothing and nonbreathable fabrics are a no-go for psoriasis. These items can worsen psoriasis symptoms by trapping sweat and irritants against the skin and increasing friction.

In fact, one study from 2022Trusted Source found cotton gloves were superior to gloves made from a semipermeable material in terms of comfort and practicality for people living with skin conditions on their hands.

Fabric gifts do not have to be limited to clothes. Linen or bamboo sheets or cotton towels are examples of other options.

5. Nutritional support items

Gifting food or nutritional supplements to someone with psoriasis can be tricky due to personal triggers, but several products may be safe additions to a gift list.

A 2022 review suggests curcumin, one of the main active ingredients in turmeric, may be an effective treatment for psoriasis through multiple mechanisms, including reducing systemic inflammation. Oral turmeric is available as a powder, capsule, tablet, or liquid.

Another food item to consider is coffee. A 2018 studyTrusted Source found higher coffee intake was associated with less severe psoriasis symptoms. Though it may not be fool-proof, as an older study from 2012Trusted Source found no association between coffee intake and psoriasis risk among people assigned female at birth.

One last option to include is black cumin. Also known as black seed, black cumin seed oil can be purchased in an oral oil or capsule form. A recent rodent-based 2023 study suggests black cumin seed oil is an effective supplement for treating moderate psoriasis. However, more research is necessary on humans to prove the benefits.

6. Medical-grade honey

Honey makes a great gift for just about anyone, regardless of their skin. In psoriasis, however, honey may also serve as a powerful healing aid.

The topical application of honey to damaged skin is a time-honoured healing practice. Honey has been used throughout historyTrusted Source for its ability to promote healing and prevent infection in skin and tissue wounds.

A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysisTrusted Source found topical honey to be an effective treatment for plaque psoriasis and mild-to-moderate scalp psoriasis.

While any honey will do as a gift, medical-grade honey can be applied confidently to the skin without concern for contaminants — and it is edible, too.

7. Cookbooks

Diet modification is a common aspect of chronic disease management. According to a 2021 reviewTrusted Source, people living with psoriasis should focus on eating a diet that is:

• low in saturated fats
• high in polyunsaturated fats
• high in micronutrients

Recommended diets that fit these recommendations include:

• gluten-free diet
• vegetarian diet
• Mediterranean diet

Picking up some cookbooks that focus on these types of eating plans can help a loved one with psoriasis try new recipes that may make dietary modifications less of a hassle.

Summary

When it comes to gift-giving, there are plenty of safe options for people with psoriasis. Soothing products, household appliances, food items, and clothing all make the list of science-backed gifts.

When in doubt, asking a loved one about their unique psoriasis needs can help avoid purchasing gifts that may trigger symptoms or cause a flare-up.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psoriasis-science-backed-holiday-gifts 

Should You Be Taking Vitamins or Supplements for Psoriasis?

From everydayhealth.com

By Howard Change

Can omega-3 fish oil or turmeric help your psoriasis symptoms? What about vitamin D? EH’s psoriasis blogger takes these questions to his dermatologist 

I’ve finally accepted that I’m not 35 years old. In my mind I see myself as a young, active person who is ready to conquer the world. But my body tells me that I’m squarely middle-aged. That truth hit home when I shopped at Costco last month.

As I walked along the pharmacy aisle, I noticed vitamins on sale specifically for people who are over 50. I’d considered buying a bottle before as part of a tweak to try during Psoriasis Action Month. A quick call to my wife confirmed that this was a good idea.

Starting on a daily multivitamin felt harmless enough. But a few days into my new routine I decided to do a little research to see if these pills, or other kinds of dietary supplements, might improve my psoriasis as well as my overall health.

                                  Scientists are investigating the effects of turmeric and vitamin D on psoriasis.  Canva (2)

Checking In With My Dermatologist

I like to use the notes app on my phone to write down questions to ask my healthcare providers at my next appointment. The topic of supplements landed on my list for my next visit with Christie Carroll, MD.

Dr. Carroll mentioned several supplements that her psoriasis patients ask about: omega-3 fish oil, turmeric (and its active ingredient, curcumin), and vitamin D. She said she couldn’t recommend any of these for my psoriasis based on her clinical experience, but it wouldn’t hurt me to try them out.

We both commented on how we didn’t like fish oil pills due to the possibility of an unpleasant fishy taste coming up during digestion. I do like eating fish, though, and thought that adding more smoked salmon or other types of seafood high in omega-3 fatty acids to my diet wouldn’t be that difficult.

I left the appointment with some urgency to get my vitamin D checked as I’ve had low levels in the past. I don’t generate as much vitamin D naturally since I developed an allergic reaction to phototherapy and sunlight. I later read about a study that found people with psoriasis generally benefit from getting more vitamin D, either through supplements or diet.

Psoriasis Treatment Is Individual

One of my pet peeves is when people make claims that certain nutrients or food choices or avoidance cured their psoriasis, and will cure yours, too. I’ve heard this assertion over and again, from eliminating meat, dairy, and gluten to ingesting flaxseed oil.

I don’t have any way to verify whether something works or doesn’t work for other people. There are numerous psoriasis treatments and therapies precisely because there isn’t one that fits all. What helps one person may do very little for someone else.

The National Psoriasis Foundation punctuates the point: “There is no direct link between vitamins and dietary supplements and psoriatic disease. However, many with psoriatic disease find that including vitamins and supplements in their diet helps their skin clear and may ease joint pain.”

This understanding helps me decide what to try, or avoid. I check with my healthcare providers first, since they know my health conditions, including what medications I’m taking. For example, once my dermatologist told me to stop taking a certain herbal pill for insomnia when starting a new psoriasis pill.

I also feel less pressure to try what others are touting knowing that it’s not a sure bet to work for me. When someone says they have a cure, even though I want it to be true, my scepticism can help me avoid later disappointment.

When Possible I Aim to Get Nutrients Through Food

Despite my careful approach, I’m willing to take supplements and vitamins and change how I eat in order to improve my overall health and maybe also my psoriasis.

I’ve heard a lot about gut health and inflammation recently, so I decided to add probiotics to my diet. A few ounces of fermented food in the form of kimchi or sauerkraut each day fits well into my eating style. In the morning I mix blueberries or raspberries into non-fat plain yogurt that is rich in gut-friendly bacteria.

Antioxidant-rich foods are also part of my diet, since they are good for my overall health and help lessen my risk of heart disease and other health issues that are more likely to affect people with psoriasis. As with probiotics, I’m trying to get my antioxidants from food. I especially like blueberries or strawberries plain, as a salad topping, or mixed into yogurt. To wean myself from salty snacks at night, I’m eating vegetable snack packs that include antioxidant-rich broccoli.

The Bottom Line on Supplements and Vitamins for Psoriasis

The jury is still out on whether taking supplements or vitamins or making dietary changes will work to lessen my psoriasis severity. Regardless, I’m open to the possibility that they might.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/howard-chang-the-itch-to-beat-psoriasis/should-you-be-taking-vitamins-or-supplements-for-psoriasis/

These Vitamins May Reduce Psoriasis Symptoms

From healthcentral.com

While vitamin D and fish oil can help with skin plaques, proceed with caution—and under the supervision of your doctor 

While a psoriasis diagnosis can often seem discouraging, with so many effective psoriasis treatments these days it’s possible to find an effective plan that works for you. On top of psoriasis medication, science suggests that other lifestyle additions can help, such as including certain vitamins and other supplements in your diet.

The vitamins that people living with psoriasis may benefit from include oral supplements, like vitamin D and fish oil, as well as topical options, according to Kyle Cheng, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles and the supervisor of UCLA’s Psoriasis Specialty Clinic. But it’s buyer beware, since some vitamins and supplements touted for psoriasis just don’t have the science to back up their efficacy. No matter, it’s always a good idea to run changes to your psoriasis management plan by your doctor first. Here, we clear things up about what vitamins are good for psoriasis—and which ones you could probably shelve.

Which Vitamins Are Good for Psoriasis?

While vitamins and minerals play essential roles in overall health for everyone, they may be particularly important for individuals with psoriasis since some vitamins and minerals (taken orally or applied topically) are anti-inflammatory, immune regulating, or able to help rebuild damaged cells, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.

However, it’s also important to consider getting vitamins naturally through a balanced diet, not only for their potential to alleviate psoriasis symptoms but for overall well-being.

                                                                    GettyImages/Janine Lamontagne

Vitamin A

While research in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology has found that people with psoriasis tend to have lower levels of vitamin A in their skin (which may contribute to the dysregulation of skin cell turnover), it’s unclear so far whether supplementing with an oral vitamin A will have any improvement on psoriasis symptoms. There is an oral retinoid on the market—a.k.a. synthetic vitamin A—called Soriatane (acitretin), but it has to be prescribed by a derm and comes with side effects like hair loss, scaly skin, and joint pain, according to Dr. Cheng.

The exception here? Topical vitamin A in the form of a retinoid cream or ointment can be a powerful treatment for thick, raised areas of plaque psoriasis, says Dr. Cheng. While you might know retinoids best for their anti-aging ability to smooth fine lines, they can also reduce the redness, inflammation, and scaliness associated with psoriasis.

Vitamin A is a potent antioxidant, according to Hadley King, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and a clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. That means that it fights oxidative stress in the body, which can otherwise lead to inflammation, which is a driver of flares in people with psoriasis—so it’s always worth getting some vitamin A by consuming natural sources, such as:

• Carrots

• Mangos

• Red peppers

• Spinach

• Sweet potato

B Vitamins

Similarly to oral vitamin A, the benefits of oral and topical B vitamins on psoriasis aren’t clear cut. “Vitamin B12 deficiency has been reportedly associated with psoriasis, but well-designed trials have failed to show any benefits of B12 supplementation,” says Dr. Cheng. Again, an associated deficiency doesn’t necessarily mean that supplementing with it will improve your case.

Vitamin C

Dr. King points to vitamin C as another vitamin that serves as an antioxidant, giving it an anti-inflammatory benefit. For psoriasis specifically, however, there’s little to no data that suggests that vitamin C supplementation, either orally or topically, has any benefit.

Vitamin D

Of all the vitamins, “vitamin D has been most closely tied to psoriasis,” says Dr. Cheng. In studies, “lower vitamin D levels have been correlated to severity of psoriasis—the lower the levels, the worse the psoriasis—and vitamin D deficiencies are more common in psoriasis patients.” Dr. Cheng advises people with psoriasis to get their vitamin D levels checked by their doctor periodically so they can supplement it if needed with vitamin D3 (a fat-soluble version).

Want to eat your vitamin D? Common dietary sources of vitamin D include:

• Cod liver oil

• Eggs

• Fortified milk

• Mushrooms

• Salmon

• Sardines

• Trout

As for the benefits of taking additional vitamin D for psoriasis beyond a confirmed deficiency, the jury is out. “Studies have shown mixed results, but a recent systematic review and meta-analysis indicated no benefit to psoriasis after supplementation with vitamin D,” says Dr. Cheng.

However, as with vitamin A, vitamin D analogues—which are man-made versions that come in the form of topical creams—may have some benefit for cases of mild-to-moderate psoriasis. And it’s important to note that using vitamin D analogues aren’t an alternative to staying out in the sun without proper protection. “While we all know that more sunlight can increase vitamin D levels, I caution patients to be very careful and to still use sunscreen when outdoors [since] getting a sunburn could significantly worsen their psoriasis,” says Dr. Cheng.

Other Nutrients That May Help Psoriasis 

Besides vitamins, other dietary nutrients hold promise for alleviating psoriasis symptoms. As with any supplement, though, there are some big considerations to keep in mind—like whether they can work alongside your current psoriasis treatment and if they come with any potential side effects.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Some good news: Omega-3 fatty acids “may slightly improve psoriasis,” says Dr. Cheng, who explains that it works by decreasing overall inflammation in the body. “This appears to be the most promising of all the supplements,” he adds. One scientific review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology even found that it works especially well with other treatments, like topical vitamin D analogues and oral retinoids. You can also find it in a variety of foods, such as:

• Fish (like salmon and tuna)

• Nuts

• Plant oils

• Seeds

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Produced naturally by the body, glucosamine and chondroitin are components of cartilage, which cushions your joints—which explains why they’re popular in dietary supplements for osteoarthritis. There’s some evidence to show that chondroitin may be beneficial in diseases for which inflammation is a marker, psoriasis included, but so far there’s no hard evidence that this is the case.

Turmeric

Turmeric may help alleviate psoriasis symptoms, including inflammation and skin cell damage, through its action as an antioxidant, says Dr. Cheng, who adds that “turmeric is generally considered safe.” It’s also versatile: There are many ways to incorporate turmeric into your diet in addition to herbal supplements, such as blending it into smoothies and tossing it with roasted vegetables.

Methylsulfonylmethane

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), an organic sulfur compound that can be found naturally in green plants like broccoli, kale, and spinach, has become popular for its purported benefits as an anti-inflammatory agent, and research suggests it may help with arthritis since it can modulate the body’s immune response. However, there’s no evidence that it can help symptoms of either psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. “One paper indicated it may help with nail psoriasis when applied topically,” says Dr. Cheng, adding that “there are some studies which improve osteoarthritis, but this is unrelated to psoriasis.”

Side Effects of Taking Vitamins for Psoriasis

All supplements come with side effects, so it’s important to talk to your dermatologist before shopping the shelves. For instance, excess vitamin D supplementation can lead to nausea, vomiting, and kidney stones, while fish oil can lead to nausea and diarrhoea (not to mention the tell-tale fishy taste), says Dr. Cheng.

Not only can a doctor tell you whether you have a deficiency in the first place, but consulting with them is also the best way to manage side effects and “avoid interactions with other medications and to optimize dosing,” says Dr. King.

How Vitamins and Diet Help the Health of Your Skin

For overall skin health, a plant-based diet may be the way to go. That’s because psoriasis and chronic inflammation create a cycle—and plant-based diets may break it by minimizing inflammation caused by your diet, according to a recent report in the journal Nutrients. Also helpful are fermented foods, which are rich in probiotics for psoriasis, and naturally prebiotic foods like oatmeal. “Probiotics and prebiotics are also recommended because they may decrease proinflammatory cytokines,” says Dr. King.

Just as important is what you leave off your plate. For instance, “saturated fats found in animal products, like red meat and butter, can increase the concentration of interleukins and contribute to inflammation in psoriasis,” says Dr. King. She also recommends avoiding foods with a high glycaemic index, meaning they increase blood sugar. And while going gluten-free won’t clear your psoriasis, it can still help if you suspect you have a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.

Along with the vitamins and nutrients from your diet, psoriasis medication will likely play an important role in reducing symptoms. After all, says Dr. Cheng, “there have been amazing breakthroughs in psoriasis over the last 10 years.” To that end, try pairing healthful eating with science-backed treatments like:

• Biologics

• Excimer laser therapy

• Oral medications like Otezla (apremilast) and Rheumatrex (methotrexate)

• Over-the-counter or prescription topical creams like Clobex (clobetasol propionate)

• Ultraviolet light treatments

Takeaways

It’s important to keep in mind that while some vitamins may seem to help with skin symptom management, “psoriasis is rarely caused by a vitamin deficiency, nor is it usually sufficiently treated with vitamin supplementation,” says Dr. Cheng.

It’s more important to look at the bigger picture, which is eating a well-rounded diet with lots of fruits and veggies and talking to your doctor to put together a comprehensive treatment plan. After all, even though loading your plate with spinach might not make your plaques disappear completely, it’ll still do you good in the long run.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/psoriasis/vitamins-for-psoriasis