What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that effects between 2-4% of the western population. Due to the immune driven inflammation – signs and symptoms of Psoriasis include red and scaly plaques to multiple areas of the body. It most commonly manifests on the scalp, face, elbows, knees, legs, soles of feet, palms, and lower back. Just like many autoimmune diseases it may come and go as it flares.
While there are many different causes of autoimmune disease and many things that maintain that response – infection is the most important consideration for psoriasis. Infections can present as overgrowths in the gut flora (Candida albicans) or some other stubborn infection effecting the immune system.
Treating infections naturally involve typically one of two options. Many times reducing the overgrowth in the gut can simultaneously take stress off of the immune system and resolve many other problems. If you are having gut related symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, or nausea, then you need to correct that first. The second focus should be on balancing the immune system so it’s able to tackle the infection properly or killing .
Basics of Fixing The Gut
I’m always surprised at how quickly the body responds when you place it in a healing environment. Imagine mold on the walls. To fix the overgrowth you must clean the wall first, before you paint it. Taking a probiotic may help, hurt, or do nothing for your symptoms. One thing is it likely not doing is cleaning the walls. In order to reduce the overgrowth broad spectrum antimicrobial herbs are required. Stop the probiotic and consider using some of the classics – Melia, Goldenthread, or Morinda.
Additionally, you may need to remove sugar, yeast, alcohol, cheese, and other aggravating foods to assist in the reduction. If you notice digestive symptoms with a food – cut it out. I typically see these problems resolve after 6 weeks or so.
Basics of Balancing the Immune System
There is nothing basic about understanding and balancing the immune system, unfortunately. It is an extremely dynamic and responsive system. The recommendations in this article are going to be broad and if you have fixed the gut and continue to have symptoms I strongly suggest you seek out experienced help. (Such as a SHC Practioner like myself)
Consider supporting calming of the immune system with things like OPC, Quercetin, or Resveratrol. Additionally, driving T cell regulation with Vitamin D, Vitamin A, fish oil, zinc, or glutathione can be helpful. There may be a need to push other types of T cells to restore balance. Taking astragalus is a common herb taken to do this.
Balancing the immune system can be complicated as medications for one infection might flair up a different infection. Also taking NSAID’s as an anti-inflammatory can also drive a leukotriene toxicity leading to a separate inflammatory aggravation. One simple tip is if you’re symptoms worsen during the winter, then consider supplementing with Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 supports T Cell Regulation and that is foundational to addressing any autoimmune condition.
If you have any questions feel free to reach out directly or schedule a free consult or your first appointment.
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