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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: PSORIASIS
Description: Psoriasis is a common skin disorder characterized by thick patches of reddened skin covered by silvery scales. The name comes from the Greek word psora, which means "to itch." In this condition, the body produces new skin cells about ten times faster than normal, but the rate at which old skin cells on the surface are shed remains the same. Because they cannot reach the surface, underlying live skin cells accumulate and form thickened patches. The silvery scales on the surface of the skin are old dead and dying cells that have not been shed. Though it is not a dangerous disorder, it can be unsightly and distressing. Psoriasis is not contagious.
Symptoms: Psoriasis usually follows a pattern of periodic flare-ups alternating with periods of remission. Red, itchy, scaly plaques often cover the legs, knees, arms, elbows, back, buttocks, and scalp. Psoriasis can range from localized mild patches on the skin to a totally disabling body disease. A given individual may have one or two isolated lesions, or scaly patches virtually all over his or her body – or anything in between. Flare-ups can be triggered by many different things, including stress, infections, illness, sunburn, alcohol abuse, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-blocker medications. The duration and spacing of both the flare-ups and the remissions vary, as does the extent of the disease. Some people experience an associated arthritis that is similar to rheumatoid arthritis.
Incidence: This disorder effects about 2 percent of the population and usually first appears in people between the ages of 15 and 25.
Causes: The cause of psoriasis is unknown, but theories and intriguing bits of evidence abound. Because psoriasis is rare in countries where the diet is low in fat, some researchers believe it may be related to a high-fat diet. Others say the problem is not so much the amount of fat in the diet but the type of fat -- that a diet deficient in the omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids is to blame. Still other theories say that a buildup of toxins in the intestines fosters the development of psoriasis, or that a body-wide candida infection may be involved. There appears to be a heredity factor as well, as the disorder seems to run in families.
Treatments: There is no known cure for psoriasis but it can be managed effectively in most cases. Treatment is aimed at reducing the symptoms and includes the use of ointments and creams to soften the scales combined with gentle scrubbing to remove them.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Flaxseed or primrose oil. |
As directed on label 3 times daily. |
To supply essential fatty acids, important for all skin disorders. Aids in preventing dryness. |
|
Milk Thistle |
|
See under Herbs, below |
|
Natural beta-carotene |
25,000 IU daily. |
Protects skin tissue. (If you have diabetes omit this supplement; people with diabetes cannot utilize beta-carotene. |
|
Zinc |
50-100 mg. daily. (Do not exceed this amount.) |
Protein metabolism depends on zinc. Protein is needed for healing. |
|
Selenium |
200 mcg. daily |
Has powerful antioxidant properties. |
|
Shark cartilage |
As directed on label. |
Inhibits the growth of blood vessels to stop the spread of psoriasis. |
|
Vitamin A |
As directed on label. |
Essential for healthy skin and nails. |
|
Vitamin B Complex |
50 mg. 3 times daily |
Necessary for all cellular functions. |
|
Vitamin C |
2,000-10,000 mg. daily |
Important for formation of collagen and skin tissue and for enhancing the immune system. |
|
Vitamin D |
As directed on label |
Needed for healing of skin and for calcium uptake. |
|
Vitamin E |
400 IU daily |
Neutralizes free radicals that damage the skin. |
|
Multivitamin and mineral complex with calcium and magnesium |
As directed on label. |
Needed for basic vitamins and minerals. |
Herbs:
 | Milk thistle contains silymarin, which acts to correct
the abnormal cell replication involved in psoriasis. It also increases bile
flow and protects the liver, which is important in keeping the blood clean.
Take 300 mg. three times daily. If you develop loose stools, increase the
amount of fiber in your diet or take a natural fiber supplement.
| Gotu kola reduces inflammation and speeds wound
healing. It has been used for centuries in Indian medicine for all kinds of
skin conditions, including psoriasis.
| Poultices made from chaparral, dandelion and yellow
dock can help psoriasis.
| To reduce redness and swelling, lightly brush off
scales with a loofah and apply alcohol-free goldenseal extract. | |
Recommendations:
| Eat a well-balanced high-fiber diet that emphasizes
lean protein, whole grains and plenty of fresh (preferably raw) fruits and
vegetables.
| Enjoy fish often. Fish oils contain essential fatty
acids that reduce the inflammatory response.
| Avoid dairy products, fried foods, saturated fats and
red meat.
| Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and refined sugar.
| Use fish oil, flaxseed oil, or primrose oil
supplements.
| Apply seawater to the affected area with cotton
several times a day. | |
Considerations:
| Cortisone creams, which discourage skin cells from
multiplying, are often prescribed for psoriasis, but long-term use makes the
skin thin and delicate.
| A skin patch called Actiderm can be applied over most
topical psoriasis medications, especially steroid (cortisone) ointments, to
make them more effective. The patch allows one to achieve better results with
milder steroids and fewer doses.
| Activated Vitamin D ointment (Dovonex), available by
prescription only, has produced good results for many people with severe forms
of psoriasis.
| Long-wave ultraviolet light has been effectively used
to treat psoriasis, but it may increase the likelihood of skin cancer.
Exposure to the sun for fifteen minutes to half an hour (not longer) may
reduce the scaling and redness. A liquid drug called methoxsalen (Oxsoralen-Ultra)
is also widely used.
| Further study must be done on the subject, but
researchers believe that shark cartilage may be very effective for the
treatment of psoriasis, without the risk of toxicity that standard drugs
entail. | |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No. 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
111-15 |
Flaxseed Oil 1000 mg. softgels |
As directed on label, 3 times daily |
$7.95/100 |
|
994-15 |
Milk Thistle Extract 140 mg. Caps. |
As directed on label. |
$8.99/100 |
|
923-15 |
Zinc gluconate (chelated) 50 mg. tabs. |
1 tablet daily |
$3.64/100 |
|
236-15 |
Selenium 200 mcg. tabs. |
1 tablet daily |
$5.95/100 |
|
938-15 |
Shark cartilage 750 mg. caps. |
As directed on label |
$19.95/100 |
|
958-15 |
Vitamin A natural 10,000 IU softgels |
As directed on label. |
$3.95/100 |
|
224-15 |
Beta carotene 10,000 IU softgels |
As directed on label. |
$4.50/100 |
|
891-15 |
Vitamin B complex 50 mg. tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$6.95/100 |
|
973-12 |
Vitamin C 1500 mg. w/rose hips tabs. Timed release |
As directed on label |
$7.95/60 |
|
124-15 |
Vitamin D 400 IU |
As directed on label |
$2.99/100 |
|
234-15 |
Vitamin E 400 IU (D-alpha tocopheryl) softgels |
1 softgel daily |
$8.95/100 |
|
982-15 |
One a Day Maximum tabs. |
As directed on label. |
$6.95/100 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Smart Medicine for Healthier Living
By Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreen, M.D., James B. LaValle, R.Ph.
