THE TOTAL BODY MANAGEMENT OF
PSORIASIS?
by Tony Pearce RN.
Specialist Trichologist, National Trichology
Services
Psoriasis is the
most common scaling disorder seen by Health
Practitioners, Trichologists or Hairdressers. It is
also perhaps one of the most frustrating conditions
to treat. Just as the appearance, symptoms and
severity of psoriasis differ from individual to
individual, so do responses to treatment. Here is
one current dietary regime that is
frequently beneficial for most sufferers. Consider
this as a guide only…
Diet:
Eliminate all wheat products such as
bread/pasta from the diet for a period of 4 weeks.
Substitute with ‘Gluten-free’ breads & rice pasta.
Use grains such as rice, corn, sago, oats or spelt.
Gluten the main protein of wheat, is a common
dietary allergen resulting in Coeliac Disease or
Gluten Sensitivity. If Gluten is a factor, your
psoriasis should begin to show improvement within
1–4 months.
Increase green leaf & cruciferous (eg:
broccoli) vegetable intake to
approximately 1/3 of total dietary consumption for
at least 5 days per week.
Eliminate all red fruits & vegetables:
tomatoes, berries, beetroot, and other acidic
varieties.
Drink at least 6-8 glasses of filtered water per
day
Eat at least 3-4 serves of fish per week
(especially deep sea "oily" fish such as swordfish,
salmon, tuna, sardines, herring etc.) Take 1000 mg
of Omega 3 (fish oil) 2-3 times per day.
Eliminate or Reduce Dairy Produce: milk,
cheese, yogurt. Try "challenging" dairy by
eliminating from the diet for a period of 4 weeks.
Substitute with soya: milk, miso soup, tofu etc.
Note: Soy inhibits zinc absorption.
Don’t smoke, & moderate or eliminate alcohol
intake
Decrease red meat intake (substitute with
fish and/or organic chicken). Note:
Women should pay particular attention to maintaining
adequate iron intake, and have their iron storage (‘Ferritin’)
levels assessed 2-3 times per annum. Research
suggests a woman’s ferritin level should be
80-120ug/L for optimal hair growth & hormonal
balance.
Decrease or "challenge" crustaceans (prawns,
crab, crayfish etc.) if you consume these regularly.
Minimise ‘hot/spicy’ foods as well as spices
themselves (ginger excepted)
Reduce soft drink (particularly
artificially sweetened), confectionary &
processed snack food intake
Suggested Nutritional Supplements:
L-tyrosine Amino Acid powder: particularly
for systemic psoriasis, or a "flare-up" exhibiting
‘angry-looking’ red, moist skin.
TMG Powder – Trimethylglycine (commonly known
as Betaine) + Quercetin a powerful
antioxidant & immune system booster. Developed by
Mr. Arthur Chan, a world authority in hair & skin
research, this natural product is especially
beneficial for people with chronic illness,
compromised immune function, severe allergies, or
chronic skin problems.
‘Slow release’ Vitamin B Complex 1-3 tablets
daily
Zinc Complex 50mg daily with main meal (3-4
months only). Do not take with iron or copper
supplements as they antagonise zinc absorption.
‘Fish Oil’ (Omega 3) 1000 mg 2-3 times daily.
Flaxseed or Evening Primrose Oil (Blackmores
EFA Complex is an excellent combination of
essential fatty acids).
Vitamin C: some dietary regimes suggest
minimising its intake when treating psoriasis,
whilst others advise 1000mg daily intake.
Some Points to Consider with Psoriasis:
Psoriasis is an inherited ‘autoimmune’ skin disorder
and as such can be managed but not presently cured.
Managing Psoriasis requires a total lifestyle
approach. People with psoriasis should care for
themselves physically, emotionally, & spiritually.
Schedule time for yourself to enjoy moderate
exercise, read a book, listen to music, the company
of friends. Your diet & lifestyle needs careful
consideration; do these things and your skin will
reap the benefits.
Successfully managing psoriasis is best approached
with an ‘inside/outside’ therapy regime. Removing
built-up scale to treat the underlying lesion/s is
the essence to a positive improvement in the
external appearance of the condition.
People experiencing psoriasis commonly report the
condition appears in cycles; less problematic in the
warmer months, & flaring as the cooler seasons
approach. This is because psoriasis is generally
improved by exposure to UV radiation from the sun’s
rays. In the northern hemisphere psoriasis is
referred to as the "Winter Itch".
The severity of an individual’s psoriasis is often
worsened by hormonal disturbance. Thyroid gland
dysfunction, disordered cortisol levels, or other
steroid hormone disturbance will be the frequent
trigger for a psoriasis flare-up.
Topical Corticosteroid should only be used
sparingly, & for very limited periods of time.
Cortisone almost always causes a "rebound" or flare"
in one’s psoriasis when it is withdrawn or used for
too long.
A ‘Psoriasis Treatment Shampoo’ that works well for
one person may aggravate the problem in another.
‘Trial & Error’ to find which shampoos your
psoriasis best responds to is the only method.
Generally speaking, ‘Tar’ shampoos or
‘Anti-Dandruff’ cleansers with zinc or selenium as
their active ingredients tend to dry the scalp &
hair with repeated use. A gentle, sodium-lauryl
sulphate-free shampoo is ideal for shampooing the
hair between ‘treatment’ cleanser application.
About the Author: Tony Pearce is a Specialist
Trichologist & Registered Nurse. He is a founding
member of the Society for Progressive Trichology &
the official lecturer for Analytical Reference
Laboratory (ARL) for hair loss & hormone imbalance.
In Australia he can be contacted on +61 2 9542 2700,
or through his website at
www.hairlossclinic.com.au.
Copyright Anthony Pearce
Copyright
Anthony Pearce 2005. *References for this article
available on request
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