Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a recurrent skin condition that affects around 2% of the population in the UK. In simple terms, it is only an acceleration of the usual replacement processes of the skin. Normally a skin cell matures in 21 to 28 days during its passage to the surface where a constant invisible shedding of dead cells, as scales, takes place. Psoriatic cells, however, are believed to turn over in two to three days and in such profusion that even live cells reach the surface and accumulate with the dead cells in visible layers. Psoriasis affects both sexes equally. It may appear for the first time at any age, although it is more likely to appear between the ages of 11 and 45.

What does it look like?

It appears as raised red patches of skin covered with silvery scales. It can occur on any part of the body although elbows, knees and the scalp are usual sites. There is often accompanying irritation. Some parts of the body do not have this typical scale. These are areas where two skin surfaces come together as in the natural skin creases and folds e.g. the groin and genital area and underneath women’s breasts. Psoriasis, in these areas can look bright red and shiny rather than scaly.

What causes it?

Certain genes have been identified as being linked to psoriasis. It appears, however, that a genetic tendency needs to be triggered off by such things as injury, throat infection, certain drugs and physical and emotional stress. Research is under way into all aspects of the causes of psoriasis.

What treatments are available?

There are a variety of topical treatments available i.e. creams and ointments that are applied to the skin. When used properly they can be most effective and have minimal side effects. Whatever treatment you use it is also vitally important to use a moisturiser to make the skin more comfortable. Other treatments are available for more serious cases; they will normally mean a referral to a Dermatologist and involve treatment as an out-patient or in-patient. Many people, however, lose the condition naturally for long periods at a time or even entirely. It is important that you, as a patient should feel in control of your treatment regime and it is helpful therefore to talk it over properly with your GP, Consultant or Specialist Nurse.

Dietary supplements for treating psoriasis

Shark Liver Oil: is a natural product that has great success with arthritis because it contains different substances that combat arthritis. It boosts the immune system with alkylglycerols, it has squalene in it which is an antioxidant, it contains vitamin E and omega 3 oils and combats Leaky Gut Syndrome which is at the bottom of so many cases of arthritis.

Specifically, shark liver oil may help to:

Augment traditional cancer treatments. In Europe, shark liver oil is widely used to complement traditional cancer treatments. Some preliminary research suggests that the alkylglyerols in shark liver oil may prime the immune system, causing cancer cells to come under attack and preventing spread of disease. The oil may also fortify healthy cells and ease the harsh side effects of cancer chemotherapy and radiation treatments. There are few sound studies, however, to confirm these possible cancer-fighting benefits in people.

Fight infections and inflammations and heal wounds. Enthusiasts claim that by boosting the immune system, shark liver oil may protect against as well as speed the healing of colds, flu, and various minor skin infections. These types of uses were certainly common in old fishing communities familiar with sharks. Alkylglycerol-rich bone marrow soup, for example, is an old-time home remedy used to ward off colds.

The liver oil also has been proposed as an immune-modulating remedy to ease asthma, arthritis, and the skin inflammations of psoriasis. Whether it is truly effective for any of these conditions remains to be proven, but for the minor ailments at least, it likely poses little risk and could possibly help.

Manuka Honey. There are reports that indicate Manuka Honey is effective in treating Psoriasis and other forms of dermatitis. For Manuka Honey to be effective in treating psoriasis, it must be applied directly to the affected area, not taken orally. Putting Manuka Honey on your skin can be somewhat of a sticky mess.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fats, one of four basic types of fat that the body derives from food. (Cholesterol, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat are the others.) All polyunsaturated fats, including the omega-3s, are increasingly recognized as important to human health.

Scientists made one of the first associations between omega-3s and human health while studying the Inuit (Eskimo) people of Greenland in the 1970s. As a group, the Inuit suffered far less from certain diseases (coronary heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, psoriasis) than their European counterparts. Yet their diet was very high in fat from eating whale, seal, and salmon. Eventually researchers realized that these foods were all rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which provided real disease-countering benefits.

In particular, omega-3s in fish oil or other forms may help to:

Improve heart health. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to play a part in keeping cholesterol levels low, stabilizing irregular heart beat (arrhythmia), and reducing blood pressure. Researchers now believe that alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), one of the omega-3s, is particularly beneficial for protecting against heart and vessel disease, and for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. An excellent source of ALA is flaxseed oil, sold as both a liquid oil and a semisolid margarine-like spread.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also natural blood thinners, reducing the "stickiness" of blood cells (called platelet aggregation), which can lead to such complications as blood clots and stroke.

Reduce hypertension. Studies of large groups of people have found that the more omega-3 fatty acids people consume, the lower their overall blood pressure level is. This was the case with the Greenland Eskimos who ate a lot of oily, cold-water fish, for example.

Colostrum is made from the best quality New Zealand bovine colostrum. it helps support the immune function and growth factors and provides positive effects for health and well being.

Most people benefit from taking cow colostrum as an every day immune system enhancer, but in particular people suffering from Leaky Gut Syndrome, Candida, Stomach Ulcers, Acne, Arthritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Colitis as well as being much in demand by athletes for building muscle. Colostrum contains growth factors that help to slow the aging process in anybody who takes it. It also helps to stimulate wound healing, cartilage and nerve regeneration, which is helpful in cases of Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain Barre Syndrome and its variants.