As many as 7.5 million Americans struggle with psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. A disfiguring autoimmune disease that causes skin lesions and increases the risk of other health problems, psoriasis is difficult to eradicate and often requires a combination of treatments. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils may benefit some people with psoriasis when taken in conjunction with standard treatments. Do not take fish oil to treat psoriasis without first discussing dosage and benefits with your physician.
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Omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation, a factor in psoriasis, since psoriasis is an inflammatory disease, according to dermatologist Joel Gelfand, M.D., a speaker at the 2009 American Academy of Dermatology. People with psoriasis have increased T-cell activity that produces more skin cells than normal. Since the cells can't slough off quickly enough to keep up with the excess production, the skin thickens and becomes inflamed. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, may suppress the body's response to excess T-cell production.
Positive Studies
A German study conducted by the Justis Liebig University looked at the effect of intravenous omega-3 fatty acids on psoriasis, according to the April 1998 issue of the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology." A total of 83 patients hospitalized with chronic plaque-type psoriasis received either intravenous omega-3 fatty acids or omega-6 fatty acids. The group that received intravenous omega-3 fatty acids had a decrease in symptoms compared to those receiving omega-6 fatty acids. Researchers concluded that omega-3 fatty acids reduced inflammation and symptoms in people with chornic plaque-type psoriasis.
Negative Studies
A study conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan Medical Center found no benefit in fish oil over olive oil when used in conjunction with corticosteroid therapy. In the double-blind, placebo controlled study, reported in the October 1990 "Journal of International Dermatology," patients took 10 fish oil or olive oil capsules daily for three weeks while applying betamethasone diproprionate , a steroid, to their lesions for the first three weeks of the study. Most patients worsened once the steroids were discontinued despite the continuing use of fish oil or olive oil. Patients who received fish oil had no better results in controlling the symptoms of psoriasis than those who took olive oil at the end of the study
Considerations
Although studies show mixed results, fish oil supplements may reduce symptoms in some people by suppressing inflammation when used in conjunction with other treatments. Since fish oil has health benefits beyond treating psoriasis, taking it with your physician's approval and evaluating the results is not likely to have adverse effects beyond the typical fishy burp taste, heartburn or nausea sometimes associated with fish oil, MayoClinic.com reports. However, fish oil in amounts over 3 g per day can produce dangerous side effects in certain people, so be sure to discuss its use with your doctor before trying it.
References
- National Psoriasis Foundation Learn About: Psoriasis
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Steven Ehrlich; June 2009
- Amednews.com: Psoriasis may reflect Systemic Inflammation, Heart Disease; V. Elliott; April 2009
- "Journal of the American Academy of Demeratology"; Fatty acid--based lipid infusion in patients with chronic Plaque Psoriasis; Peter Mayser, M.D. et al.; April 1998
- "International Journal of Dermatology;" The Role of Fish Oil in Psoriasis; A. Gupta et al.; October 1990
- MayoClinic.com; Can Fish Oil Supplements Improve Psoriasis Symptoms?; Lawrence Gibson, M.D.; February 2010
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