Vitamins and Supplements to Help Manage Psoriasis Symptoms

“What supplements or vitamins can I take to help my psoriasis?” — Bezzy Psoriasis Community Member

Before adding any new supplements to your treatment plan, it’s important to consult your doctor. Some vitamins and supplements can negatively interact with prescription medications, so always be sure to get confirmation that they’re safe to use before you start taking anything new.

Your doctor may recommend supplements and vitamins to take specific to your diagnosis. They can also help provide the right dosages for you to ensure you’re taking a safe and effective amount.

It can take several months to start seeing results when incorporating supplements and vitamins into treatment so try to be patient!

The addition of supplements won’t cure your psoriatic disease, but in combination with other treatments and lifestyle changes, they may help you better manage your symptoms.

With medical oversight, I have explored taking a few different supplements, but for the past few years, I have been regularly taking turmeric, omega-3, and vitamin D.

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Turmeric

For thousands of years, turmeric has been used for both flavor and medicinal purposes. The central ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Those anti-inflammatory effects are especially beneficial for those living with psoriatic disease because inflammation is believed to play a role in the development of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Some believe that treating internal inflammation can help manage psoriasis symptoms.

There are multiple ways to incorporate turmeric into your treatment plan.

You can incorporate the spice into your diet as a tasty addition to soups, curries, stews, and marinades.

Or you can make an easy turmeric tea by mixing the following in a small pot:

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Bring the listed ingredients to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer for 8–10 minutes. Add honey to taste, then strain and enjoy.

For higher potency, you can take turmeric as a supplement. But one of the challenges in purchasing supplements is that there’s little regulation from the FDA about claims and labels put on products.

Look for a certificate of analysis (COA) that is from a third-party tester, since this can help ensure the quality of products. Ask your doctor for a recommendation or ask trusted friends in the psoriasis community.

Turmeric is one of those known supplements that can interact with certain medications, like blood thinners and diabetes medications, so it’s important to double-check with your doctor before adding it to your routine.

Lastly, you can use turmeric as a topical treatment by making a paste:

1. Combine one part turmeric powder with two parts water.
2. Combine in a pan and simmer until the paste thickens.
3. Cool and store covered in the fridge.

Omega-3

Omega-3s can also help reduce inflammation in the body that is linked to psoriasis development. They can be found in different foods that can become a part of your regular diet:

• Fruits and vegetables like berries, greens, seaweed, and tofu.
• Seeds and nuts such as chia seeds, walnuts, flax seeds, and hemp seeds.
• Fish, specifically salmon, cod, sardines, mackerel, and shellfish.

Like turmeric, omega-3s can also be taken as a supplement, and the same research and precautions should be taken when deciding what brand to purchase.

There are a few different types of omega-3 supplements to consider:

• fish oil
• krill oil
• algae oil
• flaxseed oil

Vitamin D

Some believe that vitamin D deficiencies are linked to psoriasis. Vitamin D deficiency can be seen in a blood test, so ask your doctor to check your levels before you decide to take any supplements.

In addition to dietary supplements, you can get vitamin D through light therapy — either by spending time in the sun or via treatment at certain medical centers. However, always closely monitor your exposure time because sun damage to the skin can trigger a new flare or make the symptoms of an existing flare worse.

Foods that include vitamin D are easy to add to your diet and include cheese, egg yolks, and tuna.

It can be dangerous to take too much vitamin D though, so it’s critical to work with your doctor to determine how much and if you should add it to your treatment plan.

The bottom line

Supplements can be incorporated into your treatment plan to help manage psoriasis symptoms, but they will not cure you and are not intended to replace your existing treatment plan.

Like with anything, there are risks, especially if you’re taking other medications, so it’s crucial to speak with your doctor before starting any new treatments.