The semi-good news for all of us who suffer from psoriasis is that you are not alone, as it affects around 7.5 million of us here in the US. The bad news is that although psoriasis is commonly thought of as little More than just an irritating skin affliction, research shows us that it can lead to psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, Crohn’s disease, and cancer, so it’s not something to be taken lightly. .
Not to mention that it is considered incurable. And don’t even get us started on all the cures that are meant to get rid of psoriasis. It seems, after all, that many psoriasis treatments involve dubious ingredients like steroids, Vaseline, or some kind of pharmaceutical nonsense that you don’t know whether to trust blindly, or just take it to the toxic waste dump and dispose of it.
But you do need something to at least relieve the symptoms of that pesky psoriasis, and preferably something natural that doesn’t cause a list of other side effects.
Enter probiotics, which can not only help you cure your condition, but also come with a host of other health benefits, rather than any nasty side effects. Better yet, these beneficial bacteria are natural and are essential not only for reducing the inflammation that causes psoriasis, but also for digestion, healthy hormone balance, and overall bodily health.
How do probiotics help psoriasis?
As many of us already know, probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in us, on us, and around us, and without them, we couldn’t even digest our food or have a healthy immune system.
However, our modern lifestyle makes us deficient in these crucial microorganisms. This is because most of us don’t live in settings like farms or ranches where contact with friendly microbes is more common than in urban areas, and there’s also our overuse of disinfectants and antibiotics.
One of the many problems with this deficiency is that since probiotics help control inflammation-causing bacteria by stimulating our immune system regulatory T cells, the result can be chronic inflammation. Since psoriasis is caused by inflammation, low levels of gut bacteria can leave us vulnerable to it.
Additionally, probiotics play a role in other aspects of skin health, such as preventing acne, healing wounds, rejuvenating the skin, and strengthening the skin’s (and body’s) overall immune health. This is due not only to the ability of probiotics to help reduce inflammation, but also to the control of other, less desirable bacteria that can take over in the absence of probiotics.
But which probiotic strain should I use for psoriasis?
There are trillions of strains of bacteria that make up ecosystems within us, and each of us has our own unique body chemistry that can support different varieties of microorganisms. In fact, it has been observed that the types of bacteria in us can be compared to a fingerprint, in the sense that no two are identical.
However, different bacteria also affect different conditions, such as studies showing Lactobacillus, B. bifudum, and L. Acidophilus to be effective in treating acne.
And while using any probiotic to improve your gut flora may be better than nothing, some strains work better with skin conditions like psoriasis than others, including:
Bifidobacterium bifidum. Perhaps the best known probiotic strain, B. bifidum, is essential for skin health, playing a key role in maintaining a strong immune system. B. bifidum works to control unwanted strains of bacteria in the gut, which not only aids digestion, but also increases the body’s immune response against inflammation and allergies.
Lactobacillus plantarum. L. plantarum helps the body make L. lysine, which is an amino acid that supports calcium absorption and hormone production, and is also key in supporting a positive immune response to protect against inflammation. This not only protects us against psoriasis, but also has anti-aging, digestive and immune health benefits.
Lactobacillus acidophilus. It is also one of the best known probiotics due to its long association with digestive health, particularly for those who have trouble digesting dairy products. L. acidophilus is also an immune booster, helping to produce a healthy response to inflammation and associated skin conditions.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus. L. rhamnosus obtains antibodies to prevent infection and inflammation. This helps boost the immune system, as well as protect against inflammation.
How to take probiotics for psoriasis?
To start taking probiotics for psoriasis, you don’t necessarily need to add another supplement to your supply.
Instead, you could go the more pleasant route of adding another dish to the table. Cultured foods can be a simple and tasty way to add bacteria to your diet. Try some yogurt, raw sauerkraut, kefir, or kimchi, though be sure to buy unpasteurized, cold-processed items, as heat kills bacteria.
Some manufacturers, such as yogurt, also list the strains of bacteria on their packaging, which helps ensure that the product contains live bacteria. However, even if it isn’t, you should be able to identify a sour taste and odor in most cultured produce, which also indicates that the bacteria are alive.
You can also go outside and play in the dirt for your probiotics, which may not be too practical for most city dwellers. However, if you have a garden, you’re in luck, as soil can also be a rich source of probiotics, and there are few more satisfying ways to get them. Lower your grocery bill, beat psoriasis AND enjoy fresh greens? Made!
Finally, taking a daily probiotic capsule is the easiest and most consistent way to get our microbes in. When looking for a good probiotic, remember to look for a variety of strains, including some bifids and some lactobacillus.
You may need to try a few different companies and products before you find which one works best for you overall, but look for a product with at least 6 billion. You should also only buy a product that is perishable. Look for a time stamp or expiration date, which helps ensure that the product is fully potent and alive. Lastly, look for a dark glass container, as light can also kill bacteria.
Latest Notes on Probiotics for Psoriasis
Put down the cleaning supplies, they are making you unsanitary! Seriously, most of us sanitize a little more than we really need to, which is understandable as we want to keep ourselves and our families healthy and safe.
However, by overusing hand sanitizers, counter sanitizers, and other antibacterial products, we’re not just killing the bad guys, but the good guys as well. Also, many disinfectants are endocrine disruptors that can cause conditions like rashes and eczema. Hmmm, could this have something to do with your psoriasis?
But, even if the disinfecting agents aren’t what’s causing your psoriasis, they’re likely getting in the way of healthy populations of probiotics, so stick with soap and water; it really is the best way to clean. Better yet, stick with a natural soap that is good for psoriasis.
So instead of trying a “cure” for your psoriasis that can only lead to more health problems, why not try probiotics? After all, you may find that they’re not only good for relieving psoriasis, but can also improve digestion, immune health, and mental well-being.
