The Best And Worst Supplements For Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a frustrating condition for many people, not only because it can be challenging to treat but also because there’s no way to prevent the occurrence of symptoms. The good news is that some supplements might help support your body and aid with general wellbeing. In this article, we look at some of the most promising supplements that could help reduce symptoms.

The best supplements for psoriasis:

Vitamin D

There is an association between low vitamin D levels (hypovitaminosis D) and psoriasis flares, which means taking steps to improve your vitamin D status may help support your skin health. However, it has been noted that not everyone with psoriasis will respond in the same way to supplementation with vitamin D . Nevertheless, if you are diagnosed with hypovitaminosis (low levels) of this vital nutrient, you might want to consider adding it to your diet through eating oily fish or supplementing with 2000 IU per day. For more information on how much vitamin D you should be taking, read our article on the best dosage for vitamin D.

Vitamin B12

B12 is an essential nutrient involved in the formation of red blood cells and plays a crucial role in energy metabolism. Occasionally, people with psoriasis will develop vitamin B12 deficiency (known as pernicious anemia), making symptoms much worse. If you find your condition improves when taking oral supplements to boost your intake, it could be because you aren’t absorbing enough B12 from your food. Older adults may also benefit from supplementing their diet with this nutrient due to an age-related decrease in stomach acid production that reduces vitamin B12 absorption abilities. Vegans or vegetarians who don’t eat many dairy foods or eggs might also consider adding a vegan-friendly version of this vitamin to their daily routine.

Flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to support general health. However, certain studies have shown that it might also help to reduce plaque psoriasis symptoms when taken at higher doses. To avoid an overdose, you should only supplement with flaxseed oil under your doctor’s supervision. The recommended daily amount varies depending on your condition, but people generally start with three grams per day. Omega-3 fatty acids can sometimes cause fishy burps or nausea, so another option is to get your omega 3s from 1 gram of fish oil supplements instead. If this doesn’t appeal to you, try adding some flaxseed oil to your diet by stirring it into your favourite salad dressing.

Vitamin A

People with moderate-to-severe psoriasis stand to benefit from supplementation with vitamin A. Although it can be toxic when taken without medical supervision, you’ll find that its benefits often outweigh the risk of side effects. Vitamin A is an antioxidant, which means it helps support general health and can help reduce irritation and itching in the skin. The recommended dosage varies depending on your condition, but an excellent place to start would be 25 000 IU per day under a doctor’s supervision.

Vitamin C

Although we might associate vitamin C with the common cold, it also has excellent skin health benefits. Vitamin C contributes to collagen production and can help keep skin cells healthy and firm. However, studies suggest that the benefits of supplementation with vitamin C won’t be seen in people with milder forms of psoriasis. If you’re interested in giving it a go, then try taking one gram per day under your doctor’s supervision.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral that our bodies need but cannot produce on its own. Many doctors recommend taking zinc supplements or eating zinc-rich foods such as oysters for anyone suffering from plaque psoriasis. Remember that you shouldn’t supplement with zinc if you are pregnant or breastfeeding without first speaking to your doctor.

Fish oil supplements

It is believed that consuming fish with high-fat content can help with psoriasis because of their omega 3 fatty acid content. A 2010 study revealed that people taking fish oil supplements experienced significant improvements in their symptoms and severity scores (compared to those taking olive oil). For this reason, we recommend adding 2 – 4 grams of fish oil into your daily diet if you’re suffering from the condition. Although it might be hard to get enough omega 3s from food alone, supplementation can be expensive too, so consider bringing your omega 3s through eating oily fish or flaxseed oil instead.

Omega 3 Fatty acid:

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to our health but cannot be produced by the body. A deficiency in this fatty acid can leave the skin looking dry, irritated, and flaky, which is why some dermatologists recommend adding them to your daily diet if you have psoriasis. Fish oil supplements are a good source of omega 3 fatty acids, so try taking 2 – 4 grams per day under medical supervision or eating more oily fish like salmon, mackerel, or tuna.

Glucosamine

It is commonly used for arthritic psoriasis; one study found that taking glucosamine supplements for eight weeks improved symptoms in 80% of people with arthritis and other joint-related conditions. Glucosamine is a precursor (building block) to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are naturally found in the joints and connective tissues. GAGs help to reduce water loss while lubricating and cushioning joints. To get therapeutic results, you should only take up to 4 grams per day. However, please note that there hasn’t yet been any research involving glucosamine’s effect on skin health, so its use might be limited to joint pain associated with psoriasis.

What are the supplements that may not be good for psoriasis?

Most of the supplements have a good impact on the skin, but if you do not take supplements properly or take more supplements, it can have many side effects. You should always discuss which supplement is good for your skin and bring it under a doctor’s supervision as some accessories may suit you but not suit another person because of different skin types.

What to keep in mind before using supplements?

1. Some supplements may cause an allergic reaction. So, the person using this supplement must always discuss with their dermatologist if they have any allergies.
2. It can also lead to severe hypersensitivity reactions, drug interactions, adverse effects on the liver, high blood pressure, etc. Hence, it is necessary to keep in mind these things before starting a new supplement.
3. If you are experiencing any other condition, you must first talk to your dermatologist before taking any supplemental medicine because all products are different and work differently on different people’s skin types; hence before using any product, please consult with the doctor.
4. Always go for natural products as far as possible instead of artificial chemicals because too many chemicals are also not good for the skin.
5. It is always better to avoid chemical treatments and supplements unless a dermatologist orders them. Some people may have severe allergic reactions that you will never know until you use it on your skin or after its use.
6. You should keep in mind that you should not overdose on any supplement, and this can lead to many side effects, so it is best to discuss everything about these supplements with your dermatologist before using them.
7. People who live in areas where polluted environments, windy weather conditions, etc., are more likely to catch infections easily due to their sensitive skin type; hence they should go for supplements that are helpful for psoriasis treatment.
8. Always check for the expiry date on any supplement you will use, and do not take any spoiled supplements.
9. If a pregnant woman uses a particular type of supplement, it can affect the fetus; hence, they should always discuss it with their dermatologist before starting a new supplement.
10. Keep in mind that some supplements might cause an increase in blood sugar levels; therefore, people who have high blood sugar levels should inform the doctor to prescribe such accessories that will suit them and improve their psoriasis condition.
11. You may also suffer from mood swings, sweating, hair loss, etc. If you overdose on the supplements, always meet your skin specialist/doctor before starting them because too many supplements can adversely affect your skin condition.
12. Always store supplements in a cool and dry place because the heat will destroy the supplement; hence it will not be helpful.
13. If you are already taking any other medication, always discuss it with your doctor before using any supplements. Some supplements may complicate conditions or vice versa, so it’s best to get permission from your dermatologist or skin doctor before starting new supplements.

How can supplements benefit your skin?

• Many supplements are suitable for skin types because they contain valuable contents like vitamins, minerals, etc. These can help your body work properly and help repair the damaged skin cells.
• It is reported that some people who were suffering from psoriasis found improvements in their condition after using some particular kind of food supplement.
• There are many studies published where it says that if you increase your intake of omega 3 fatty acids, this will positively affect your psoriasis condition, so it is best to start including more oily fish in your diet or any other food supplement containing these fatty acids.
• Another important study says that if you take vitamin B supplements, it can help reduce the symptoms of psoriasis because vitamins act as antioxidants and fight against disease-causing free radicals present in our body.
• Some food supplements like soy isoflavones can reduce inflammation which is considered one of the primary reasons behind psoriasis, so it is best to consume food items rich in soy isoflavones or go for some supplement.
• It is also reported that supplements containing vitamin D can have a positive effect on psoriasis conditions because people who have Vit D deficiency always suffer from different types of skin allergies, autoimmune problems, etc., so it is best to increase your vitamin D intake through natural sources like sunlight but if this is not possible then go for any other natural supplement rich in Vit D.

A healthy, vitamin-rich diet is beneficial for both skin health and overall health. Supplements may also help, but they’re no replacement for a balanced, nutritious diet.

What to eat to prevent psoriasis?

1. Include more fatty acids in your diet because they have an anti-inflammatory effect on skin conditions which is considered to be one of the main reasons behind psoriasis, so increase intake of oily fish, nuts, flax oil, etc.,
2. Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids are essential for healthy skin, so you should include more oily fish, walnuts, flaxseed in your daily diet.
3. Consuming foods rich in vitamin B complex group is good for skin health because this group contains eight different types of vitamins, e.g., Vitamin B1(thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin), Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6(pyroxidine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxine).
4. Foods good for psoriasis should contain a high amount of vitamin C, so include more citrus fruits like oranges, limes, lemons, etc., in your diet.
5. Consume foods rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots, tomatoes, etc., because it has antioxidant properties that can help reduce skin irritation or inflammation caused by psoriasis.
6. Some food items like soybean and lentils are good for skin health because they contain phytoestrogens, a type of plant estrogen, and can help reduce symptoms of psoriasis.
7. Increase your intake of whole grains like barley, corn, etc., because they are suitable for skin health and overall health.
8. People with psoriasis should avoid foods rich in saturated fats like butter, cheese, mayonnaise, etc., because it can increase symptoms related to psoriasis.
9. It is also best to avoid processed foods because they contain chemicals that can worsen symptoms of psoriasis, so try to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet plan.
10. If you have a habit of drinking coffee or caffeinated drinks, stop this habit because caffeine has an irritating effect on the nerve endings that can irritate psoriasis.

Supplements can be a great way to fill in any gaps in our diet, but you must consult your skin doctor before taking any supplements. You can book an appointment with a skin doctor through OHO homeopathy for more information.