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Inositol for Psoriasis

Aug 6, 2011 | By Shelley Moore

Inositol occurs naturally in the body and you also obtain it from food. Inositol supplements are available as well. The substance is suggested as helpful for numerous health problems, according to eMedTV. Inositol appears to have benefits for individuals with psoriasis as a complication of lithium treatment. It does not seem to help people with psoriasis who are not taking lithium. Consult a qualified health-care provider before taking inositol supplements.

Lithium and Psoriasis

Lithium is a common and effective long-term treatment for people with bipolar disorder. It decreases abnormal activity in the brain and stabilizes mood. However, lithium can trigger and worsen psoriasis, an autoimmune inflammatory skin condition characterized by red, raised patches of skin with silvery scales of dead cells. Psoriasis can be mild to severe. The ability of lithium to aggravate psoriasis can be a major problem in some bipolar patients, according to a study published in the May 2004 issue of the "British Journal of Dermatology."

Inositol and Lithium-Related Psoriasis

A theory that lithium causes inositol depletion is the subject of research, explains an article in the January 2005 issue of "Molecular Psychiatry." The authors of the "British Journal of Dermatology" article found that inositol supplements had significantly positive effects on the condition of psoriasis in bipolar patients taking lithium. Inositol did not improve psoriasis in another group of participants not taking lithium. DermNet NZ, a website of the New Zealand Dermatological Society, says that taking 6 g of inositol per day may reduce the tendency of lithium to trigger or worsen psoriasis.

Case Study

A case study published in the Feb. 23, 2010 issue of "Cases Journal" describes a patient with bipolar disorder who developed severe psoriasis after beginning lithium treatment to stop manic episodes. Antipsoriatic treatment had no effect, and lithium was discontinued while the patient began taking 3 g of inositol per day. The woman was able to continue taking inositol without lithium; her mood stabilized and her psoriasis improved markedly. At the time of the case study, the patient had been doing well for four years.

Considerations

If lithium lowers inositol levels in the body as theorized, that effect may be necessary for its therapeutic benefits for bipolar disorder, cautions eMedTV. Talk to your doctor before taking inositol if you take lithium. Inositol may interact with other medications as well, and may cause side effects of fatigue, dizziness, headaches and nausea.

References

Article reviewed by Khalid Adad Last updated on: Aug 6, 2011

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