6 things you can do to beat psoriasis

The condition affects nearly three per cent of the world’s population, but with these 6 things you can do to beat psoriasis, you can make the irritating skin complaint a thing of the past. Thought to be an over-reaction of the immune system, psoriasis is characterised by thick flaking patches of skin that can be incredibly itchy. While there is medicated cream that is prescribed for this condition, it often doesn’t address the root of the problem and lead to a full recovery. As August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month‏, we’ve asked experts for their top tips on dealing with those scratchy sores.

Ditch processed and junk food

While we all enjoy the occasional cheat day, what’s inside those salty snacks can actually aggravate psoriasis. ‘Junk foods very often come with ingredients that may aggravate skin problems and worsen inflammation – including additives, sugar and excess salt. They are also usually high in quickly digested and absorbed carbohydrates (think white bread, pastries and crisps), which can upset the balance of natural flora in our gut as well as blood sugar and hormone balance, all of which are linked to skin problems,’ says Shona Wilkinson, head nutritionist at nutricentre.com.

Support your gut

A little known fact about our guts is that it is where around 70 per cent of our immune system is based. Keeping your gut healthy by eating nutrient-rich foods and staying hydrated is key to dealing with psoriasis. ‘If you are suffering from constipation, IBS or ‘leaky gut’, toxins you consume are often reabsorbed into the system, causing increased inflammation in the body and flaring up psoriasis,’ explains Shona. If you’re constipated, eliminating processed foods, eating lots of vegetables, getting enough healthy fats and drinking enough water (generally 1.5-2 litres a day) can help. Ground flaxseed or a fibre supplement can be a great way of keeping your system healthy and regular. ‘To help rebalance the flora in the gut – and support the health of the gut lining – a good quality probiotic supplement is a must. Proven Probiotics’ Acidophilus & Bifidus Plus Total Intestinal & Digestive Support (£10.95, provenprobiotics.co.uk) contains Proven’s Lab4 blend of bacteria, which has been studied in six human trials demonstrating positive benefits in intestinal and immune heath. It also contains digestion-supporting glutamine and aloe vera, as well as vitamin A, which supports the health of the mucous membranes (the ‘internal skin’, including the gut lining), the skin and immune system,’ says Adrienne Benjamin, nutritionist at ProVen Probiotics.

Test your vitamin D levels

As if we needed another reason to soak up that summer sunshine. Vitamin D, or the ‘sunshine vitamin’, has tons of benefits for your body. While it’s vital for healthy bones and often used for heart conditions, obesity and diabetes, Shona explains how vitamin D can help treat psoriasis too: ‘Vitamin D can change the way cells grow. As those who suffer from psoriasis tend to produce more skin cells, it can slow this process down and cause the plaques to become less scaly and thinner.’ So what can we do? ‘It can be difficult to get enough sunlight to stimulate vitamin D synthesis in this country – even in the summer!’ she says. ‘The ideal first step is to get your vitamin D level tested to see, how much of a boost yours needs, if at all. In most cases, your doctor will do this for you. If you’re deficient (under 75 nmol/L) or ‘insufficient’ (under 100 nmol/L) then taking a supplement can be the best way to get your level up. Try Quest’s Forte D 4000 (£14.99, nutricentre.com) a high-strength vitamin D chewable tablet.’

Balance your omega-3 and -6 levels

While omega-3, found in fish oil, can reduce inflammation, omega-6 (found in vegetable oils) could actually increase it. Many people have higher levels of omega-6 in their body so it’s important to balance this out, especially for sufferers of psoriasis. ‘To correct this balance, cut out all vegetable oils and margarines (as well as processed food) and replace it with healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, butter or ghee. Aim to eat oily fish such as sardines, salmon or mackerel at least three times a week. For additional support, it may be helpful to take a good quality omega-3 fish oil supplement such as Natural Health Practice Omega 3 Support (£27.77, naturalhealthpractice.com),’ recommends Dr Marilyn Glenville.

Boost your antioxidants

We all know that plenty of fruit and veg is great for our bodies, but they also are rich in phytonutrients, which can help with psoriasis. These substances are unique and fall into their own category as they are not related to carbs, proteins, fats, or vitamins. ‘Phytonutrients support cells communication and work together in synergy to boost immune system. Many of these phytonutrients, such as quercetin (from onions and apples) and anthocyanins (from blueberries), can act as antioxidants, protecting against free radical damage. To make sure you get enough of these anti-inflammatory agents, try Nature’s Plus AgeLoss Skin Support (£47, Whole Foods Market), which contains a full-spectrum antioxidant blend and a ‘healthy inflammation response’ blend. Ingredients include turmeric, grape seed extract, green tea, turmeric, resveratrol and pomegranate, together with skin-nourishing vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, biotin and vitamin B3, as well as MSM and glucosamine,’ says Michela Vagnini, nutritionist at naturesplus.co.uk.

Treat your skin with natural care

Keeping your skin hydrated and nourished from the outside is key as it can bring instant relief from itchiness and discomfort. However, some creams can irritate skin further if they contain chemicals such as chlorocresol and cetearyl alcohol. If an emollient cream prescribed to you isn’t providing long term relief, why not try a natural cream or balm, such as What Skin Needs Skin Balm (£13.99, whatskinneeds.co.uk), which contains a blend of natural ingredients including Plantolin, an extract from an Australian indigenous plant. This ingredient, along with aloe vera extract and tea tree essential oil can help manage skin conditions and reduce inflammation and oxidative damage. This magical formula is designed to reduce irritation, soothe skin and repair it where it is dry and damaged.