Nutrients and Psoriasis
McCusker says these nutrients might help your skin:
Vitamin D: A study from Spain found that people with psoriasis had lower levels of vitamin D. This vitamin helps keep your immune system working correctly. Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels, McCusker says. You may need a prescription-strength supplement.
Fish oil: This can help your body create more anti-inflammatory chemicals. "I don't think fish oil can turn off psoriasis," she says, but "people who take it tend to be a little less itchy, and their plaques tend to be a little less red."
Small studies also found that fish oil may reduce some side effects of medicines, such as:
- High triglycerides from a type of drug known as retinoids, such as Soriatane, Acitretin, Aceret, Acetec, and Zoratame
- Kidney problems from cyclosporine, such as Neoral, Sandimmune, Restasis, Gengraf Capsules, and Gengraf Oral Solution