Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a disease with a hereditary predisposition. It can be suppressed by medications like steroids or other oral medications, but in many cases continues to recur when these medications are stopped. Difficult cases of psoriasis can be improved by changing environmental influences like reactions to stress and diet. Studies have shown that psoriasis can be worsened in some patients by stress, a high calorie or inflammatory diet, being overweight, excessive alcohol consumption, a diet with gluten or a low diet in Omega 3 essential fatty acids.

The following are some things that can be done to improve psoriasis:

• An anti-inflammatory diet. Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition. A diet low in sugar and saturated fats can be beneficial. This means avoiding sweets like candy, desserts, sugary drinks, sodas, ice cream and processed foods containing lots of sugar. It also means avoiding the "bad fats" like fast food, fried foods, fatty cuts of beef and pork and whole milk dairy products, including cheese. Good fats can be helpful in decreasing inflammation and keeping the skin from getting dry. The most important fats are Omega 3 essential fatty acids or fish oils. Eat wild salmon, sardines, herring or mackerel 3-4 times a week. You can supplement those fats with 1000-2000mg of fish oil (Nordic Naturals brand at Island Naturals Store). Nuts, avocadoes and olive oil are "good" fats that make you feel satisfied from your meal and keep your skin healthy.
• Soaking in the ocean and getting some sun can help your psoriasis. Soak in the ocean for 10 minutes two times a week. Relax in the sun for 10-15 minutes to help your psoriasis. This helps to relax the body and stimulates Vitamin D production. Since most psoriasis patients are fair-skinned and at risk for cancer, long exposure to the sun should be avoided.
• Take a daily multiple vitamin and additional antioxidant supplement. Be sure to have an adequate amount of Vitamin C/E, selenium and beta-carotene.
• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1-2 drinks a day at a maximum. Maintain a healthy weight.
• Consider methods of stress reduction. Studies have shown that meditation + treatment for psoriasis works better than treatment alone. Consider the book "Wherever you go, there you are" by John Kabat Zinn as an introduction to meditation or join a meditation group like Kona Yoga on Wednesday night or Gavin Harrison's Group in Koloko every other Sunday afternoon. Or find something that relaxes you like yoga, tai chi, reading a book, talking a walk or regular exercise.
• For those with very stubborn psoriasis, sensitivity to gluten containing grains could be a factor. Food allergy testing is often revealing and helpful for finding the cause of psoriasis triggers. An elimination of gluten from the diet for 6 weeks might be considered for those that don't want to go through formal allergy testing. Eliminating gluten from the diet can be difficult without some help from web sites (celiac sprue site), a good cookbook (Sugar Free, Gluten Free Cooking by Susan O'Brien on amazon.com or order at Borders) or a consultation with a naturopathic doctor, like Dr. Micheal Traub.