Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease not a skin disorder. The skin is simply a mechanism for the psoriasis to manifest and treating the skin will just worsen the problem. Unfortunately this is ignored by much of the medical profession.
We know it is not a skin disorder because it is associated with so many other inflammatory illnesses. There are literally dozens of peer reviewed scientific journals showing this. Unfortunately the research shows that a person with psoriasis is likely to die around 10 years earlier than the average person. Yep a bit scary eh. So time to take action now. Get the idea? It is not a skin disease. They are more likely to have any one or a combination of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart attack, ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease, arthritis and even some cancers compared to the average person. Inflammation is the underlying cause of psoriasis and it can be treated with diet and lifestyle changes. These include not smoking and no alcohol as well as vitamin d and healthy nutrition. See my other blog on this.
Treat the illness not the skin. There is no magic bullet but there are simple solutions that require the person to change. This means an anti inflammatory diet and lifestyle.
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I have mild psoriasis and I have to say I don't agree with you completely.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are underlying causes that trigger psoriasis, but treating the skin alleviates the symptoms to a degree - and trust me, that gives alot of relief on it's own.
Psoriasis cannot be cured (yet), and the treatment must include diet, exercise, anti stress AS WELL AS treating the skin.
I have spoken to a few suffereres and the one thing we all agree on is that not every treatment or 'cure' works for each person - I use a cream to alleviate the symptoms that doesn't work for other people, and I've tried other options that work for others but don't work for me.
I guess what I wanted to point out was that you cannot disregard treating the skin, while you take other actions.
Excuse me, but I must say that your reply to the doctor's blog is just ignorant. It's not an opinion that he's asking for your "agreement" on. Clearly, you just cannot grasp that you have complete control over psoriasis with your FOOD CHOICES. It is NOT a skin disease. He has been kind enough to set up a blog to help people. Until the "medical" establishment and people who like to be "patients" start thinking on their own, instead of blindly accepting the BS that is spoon-fed to us by Big Pharm and the doctors they personally train in American med schools, you will continue to be sick. Just remember, it is YOUR CHOICE to eat all the processed foods, drug-laden meats, hormone-laden dairy, and MSG (there are 200 names for it, and it's loaded in every fast food -and high end-restaurant in America)that you like. You allow yourself to be a pawn in their chess game. WAKE UP!
DeleteHi Dr Dingle,
ReplyDeleteI recently went to your "how to live to 101 happily and healthily" lecture and found it really interesting and useful.
I've had psoriasis for about 9 years and was recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis so I would really like to give the eating plan a go.
My only concern is that it wouldn't provide me with enough calories. I'm a naturally skinny person and eat a lot anyway as I am usually hungry and seem to burn the food off quickly.
I'm used to eating a fair bit of bread and some processed foods.
I began the diet on the weekend and noticed I didn't feel as hungry as I usually do, however, there were a few times where I suddenly felt faint - and then ate something and was ok.
I'm concerned I may lose weight on the diet and I already feel I am too skinny for my height.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks very much.
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ReplyDeleteDear Dr Dingle
ReplyDeleteMy mild psoriasis has finally disappeared since I began taking digestive enzymes before meals; my skin is much less dry and now absorbs face cream products. Enzymes are believed to be more effective than pro-biotics and mean that the goodness in your food is digested much more efficiently. There is a mountain of evidence to prove that enzymes are dramatically effective especially for people with inflammatory diseases and food intolerance but as they are readily available in health stores they are of no interest to pharmaceutical companies and not covered in MD training. I'm so grateful I found them as my food intolerances are also steadily improving although I'm still generally following my exclusion diet.
Thanks for the post. I've known this for years, as I had psoriasis in my teens and got rid of it by eating healthy (unprocessed) foods. It came back briefly last year but I quickly adjusted my diet again and it disappeared. I believe that the liver cannot process so many toxins and the result is what appears as a skin disorder. Of course, if you want to treat it from the inside out, you've got to CHANGE YOUR EATING / DRINKING HABITS. And of course, no smoking either!
ReplyDeletePsoriasis—A skin disease that causes scaling and swelling. Most psoriasis causes patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. These patches can itch or feel sore. They are often found on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet. But they can show up on other areas, as well. Psoriasis can be hard to diagnose because it can look like other skin diseases. The doctor might need to look at a small skin sample under a microscope. Treatment depends on how serious the disease is, the size of the psoriasis patches, the type of psoriasis, and how the patient reacts to certain treatments. Psoriasis
ReplyDeleteHi Peter,
ReplyDeleteLove what you are sharing here! It is a shame that so many people are going for the band-aid 'solution'! Treating the illness is the most logical way indeed!
Thanks for Becki's sharing. treatment has to be from the inside out.
Viola Tam
Thanks for this great article…
ReplyDelete