Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes redness, irritation and itching or pain. Although there are a number of prescription medications which can be taken for psoriasis, some people prefer "natural" treatments, such as fish oil. Fish oil may relieve some of the symptoms of psoriasis, but you should talk to your doctor before taking fish oil.
Psoriasis Pathology
To understand how fish oil affects psoriasis, you need to understand the underlying mechanism of this skin disease. Psoriasis is an auto-immune condition, meaning that it is caused by an immune system that attacks healthy cells in the skin. As Pubmed Health explains, this aberrant immune activity causes inflammation, which triggers the skin cells to divide more rapidly. This causes dead skin cells to accumulate on the surface of the skin, resulting in red raised skin patches and silvery "scales."
Fish Oil
Fish oil is a supplement derived from fatty fish. Fish oil capsules are used to treat conditions such as psoriasis due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. These unsaturated fats are needed for the body to function properly and must come from dietary sources or supplements. Fish oil contains two omega-3 fatty acids, known as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid -- EPA and DHA -- that reduce inflammation in the body, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes.
Effectiveness
Because fish oil reduces inflammation, it helps people who suffer from inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, many studies conducted on the effects of fish oil on psoriasis in humans have yielded mixed results. One fish oil supplement, known as Max-EPA, may provide some improvement in symptoms if you suffer from psoriasis.
Safety
Fish oil supplements are generally safe, MayoClinic.com reports, though they can leave behind a fishy aftertaste and cause nausea, heartburn and indigestion in some people. Doses of more than 3 g of fish oil per day often interferes with blood clotting, causing you to bruise or bleed more easily. You should talk with your doctor before taking fish oil for psoriasis, as the omega-3 fatty acids negatively interacts with some medications, particularly blood-thinning drugs.
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