Fish oil from cod liver is rich in two substances that can help play a role in the treatment of psoriasis: vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids. One tsp. contains 100,000 IU of vitamin A and almost 23 g of omega-3 fatty acid. The source of fish oil is important if you're looking to supplement your diet to alleviate psoriasis symptoms. For example, salmon is touted as the most beneficial source for omega-3 because it contains 40 percent more than cod liver oil, but it contains no vitamin A.
Identification
The "Journal of Investigative Dermatology" reports that psoriasis was recently classified as an inflammatory disease of the skin. People with psoriasis are at a high risk of developing systemic comorbidities, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These diseases are also categorized as inflammatory disorders, meaning that the body's immune system triggers an inappropriate response against its own tissues. In the case of psoriasis, the immune system causes new skin cells to form in days rather than weeks. The formal classification of psoriasis as an inflammatory disease is important because new research reveals the mechanisms that make omega-3 effective as a treatment for all inflammatory diseases.
Vitamin A
The journal "Expert Opinion on Drug Safety" reports that vitamin A and its derivatives known as retinoids have been used to successfully treat psoriasis for over 30 years. Oral medications made from vitamin A include Soriatane and Accutane. Accutane was also a popular acne medication, but its manufacturer stopped selling it in 2009 due to bad publicity associating the drug with birth defects and suicide. However it's still sold under its generic name, isotretinoin. Topical retinoid treatments for psoriasis include the acne medications tretinoin and tazarotene.
Research Studies
Numerous scientific studies link omega-3 intake with effective psoriasis treatment. The journal "Lancet" reports a significant reduction in itching, redness and scaling in patients taking fish oil capsules. Numerous additional studies associate modest improvement of psoriasis symptoms with omega-3 supplementation. However, dramatic improvements are shown in studies looking at the efficacy of intravenous infusions of omega-3 emulsions. The "British Journal of Nutrition" reports rapid and significant improvement in patients with severe psoriasis of up to 76 percent within 10 days of treatment.
Mechanism
Researchers reporting in the journal "Cell" found the mechanism of action in omega-3s that promises to help not only psoriasis patients but also anyone diagnosed with an inflammatory disease associated with psoriasis as a comorbidity. The researchers identified a receptor on fat cells named GPR120 that omega-3 fatty acids activate. The results of activation produce broad anti-inflammatory effects that include improved systemic insulin sensitivity, which offers new hope for diabetics.
References
- US Department of Agriculture: Nutrient Data Laboratory: Nutrient Database
- "Journal of Investigative Dermatology"; Psoriasis and systemic inflammation; B. Dadivovici, et. al.; July 2010
- "Expert opinion on drug safety"; Oral retinoids in psoriasis"; J. Van Zander, et. al.; January, 2005
- "Lancet"; A double-blind controlled trial of fish oil in psoriasis; S. Bittiner et.al.; February 1988
- "The British Journal of Nutrition"; Omega-3 fatty acids in psoriasis; P. Mayser, et. al.; January 2002
- "Cell"; GPR120 is an omega-3 fatty acid receptor; Y da Oh, et.al.; September, 2010
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