Psoriasis is a common autoimmune condition and about 1 in 50 people will develop it at some point in their life. It presents with thick, red, scaly patches on the surface of the skin that can get inflamed and start bleeding. Many people mistakenly believe it’s contagious, which brings a lot of stigma to the patients and causes mental suffering and isolation in addition to the physical ordeal.
In psoriasis, a type of white blood cell attacks healthy skin cells that die as a result of the assault. The unexpected death speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells and they start arriving to the outer layer of the skin faster than they would otherwise. At the same time, dead cells don’t get removed fast enough, which results in a pileup and creates the unpleasant patches.
Different treatments for psoriasis exist, but they are often not effective or come with numerous side effects. Steroids, for example, treat the inflammation, but they can only be used for short periods of time or intermittently due to their adverse effects. But there are other, more natural, options.
Vitamin D and Psoriasis
A good place to start is to check your Vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D plays an important role in preventing autoimmune diseases as well as other 12 common diseases. Researchers claim that vitamin D-based treatments increase the binding of a peptide called cathelicidin to DNA, which, in turn, inhibits the inflammatory response that triggers psoriasis.
According to research, your optimal vitamin D levels should be in the range of 50-70 ng/ml all-year-round. According to the article published in the British Journal of Dermatology, patients with psoriasis are often vitamin D deficient; especially in the winter months were this is the case for 80% of all sufferers. Maintaining proper vitamin D levels is one of the 70 habits featured in my e-book 70 Powerful Habits For A Great Health which will guide you how to take positive steps to improve your wellness and overall health.
Vitamin D for the Treatment of Psoriasis
Sensible exposure to the sun can help with psoriasis by boosting your vitamin D levels. You need to be careful not to overdo it as excessive sunbathing carries other risks connected with skin damage and aging. Also, if you get burnt, this can lead to a flare-up of psoriasis.
Vitamin D is also used in commercial treatments and comes in the form of lotions, creams and ointments. These can be used in combination with other treatments and are applied directly to the affected area. In mild cases of the condition, vitamin D creams proved to be effective in 50% of the patients.
UVB light therapy is another possible way that has shown to be effective. According to Henry Lim, chief of Dermatology at Detroit’s Henry Ford hospital, 70% of the patients with psoriasis get better when using UVB therapy.
Vitamin D Supplements for Treating Psoriasis
There is little scientific evidence for the use of vitamin D supplements in psoriasis. Nonetheless, many patients noticed that supplements and changes to their diet helped them clear their skin.
If you decide to go with vitamin D supplement, opt for vitamin D3 and take it in conjunction with vitamin K2 and magnesium to optimize its function and promote health (also make sure to read my post about the top signs of magnesium deficiency). Vitamin D is fat-soluble, so it’s good to take it with some form of healthy fat (for example, prepare your meal with coconut or olive oil) to help the absorption process.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause other 12 common diseases and it may lead to dementia as well.
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