Folic Acid Supplementation for Psoriasis?Psoriasis is a very common skin disorder that affects millions of Americans. In fact, it is believed to affect approximately 2-3% of the population. Frequently, people with psoriasis develop red scaly patches. These psoriatic plaques, as they are often referred to as, are areas of excessive skin production and inflammation.
Though the actual cause of psoriasis is unknown, genetic factors are thought to be involved. Overall, psoriasis can impact the quality of life of people who suffer from this skin condition.
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory disease involving the spine and peripheral joints that develops in patients with psoriasis. Further, psoriatic arthritis develops in 5-10% of patients with psoriasis.
A recent study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment discussed the role of folic acid supplementation in patients with psoriasis.
Background:
“Relative deficiency of folic acid may occur in conditions such as pregnancy and hyperproliferative or chronic inflammatory disorders.”Conclusion:
“Folic acid supplementation appears as a reasonable therapeutic option in patients affected by chronic inflammatory skin diseases, such as moderate to severe psoriasis; in particular, those with concomitant hyperhomocysteinemia, low plasma folate and additional cardiovascular risk factors.”Reference:
Gisondi P, Fantuzzi F, Malerba M, Girolomoni G. Folic acid in general medicine and dermatology. J Dermatolog Treat. 2007;18(3):138-46.
7 comments:
Like you mention the cause of psoriasis is unknown. It is considered an immune disorder. For some reason the immune system attacks the growth layer of your skin causing it to grow faster than it should. Therefore this does not allow for the outer layer to slough off fast enough to allow the skin underneath to come through and mature - so you end up with scaly plaques. The normal growth cycle of skin is 21 to 28 days. In psoriatic plaques the skin grows much faster - 7 to 14 days.
Genetic predisposition is definitely a factor and it need not be in recent generations either to present itself in you. Periods of extreme stress, which malnutrition or deficiency can trigger or be triggered by, can cause a manifestation of the disease. Like with any disease it is imperative to watch your diet and be aware of foods that may aggravate your condition.
Sometimes, nutritive measures are not enough. Patients have resorted to systemic drugs which have very risky side effects. There is an option though that can treat the affected area directly. UV Light therapy, namely Narrow Band UVB, is a spectral therapy that targets the plaques of psoriasis. Doctors are still unsure of how or why this therapy works, but with continuous gradually increasing treatment psoriatic plaques can be sent into remission.
Very interesting post. The good news sounds like adding folic acid to ones diet will greatly assist in combating psoriasis.
peace,
mike
livelife365
(thanks for all your kinds words on my posts)
Wow. I didn't know millions suffered from it. I've only known one person to have it and yes...it did affect her quality of life. It was in a very serious condition all over her body.
Mike, thank you for your recent comment. I enjoy reading your site. Jacqueline, thank you as well!
Cheers,
Dr. Jarret
Good news! This is important because folic acid comes from "foilage" as in spinach and leafy greens are a rich source, and not everyone eats their veggies or takes their multivitamin, so many folks are actually deficient anyways. I am guessing that it works on a mitochondrial level, or buy improving detoxification pathways by reducing homocysteine and thus promoting s-adesnosly methionine.
Looking at these pictures, they made me think to get on with my multi-vitamin regimen and on with my spinach consumption.
Working in the confines of the laboratory doesn't allow me much interactions with the people I serve. Therefore, I don't see the physical characteristics of these kinds of maladies first hand. So, your post is very educational to me.
Tasha
Tasha, thank you for your feedback and recent comment.
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