Probiotics For Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that is characterised by patches of red, flaky skin. These patches, also known as plaques tend to itch and feel sore. They can get so severe that your skin cracks and bleeds which may be quite painful. Some people with psoriasis may also suffer joint inflammation (psoriatic arthritis), which also yields the symptoms of arthritis. While there is no proven cure for psoriasis yet, many treatments exist to ease the symptoms of psoriasis, probiotics being one of them.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are good strains of bacteria that benefit people’s health. They promote a healthy digestive tract and a robust immune system. When probiotics are found in the gut, they can help maintain the integration of the intestinal lining as well as boost immunity.

The connection

The human body contains millions of probiotics, and every person’s collection of microbes known as microbiome is different. There have been numerous scientific studies since the 1990s that have been looking at how gut bacteria affect various diseases like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Recent research shows that taking these supplements can help improve your psoriasis.

Inflammation is your body’s way of responding to stress from lifestyle, environment, and diet. Psoriasis is linked to systemic inflammation. Inflammation causes various conditions like cancer, arthritis, general ageing, and psoriasis. People with psoriasis tend to have more inflammation-causing microbes in their gut. Adding useful bacteria to your diet may help stabilise your gut’s bacterial mix and the overall gut health. Probiotics fuel your body’s T cells whose key function is to regulate the immune system and help to reduce inflammation.

How do they work as a treatment?

Most people with psoriasis have a compromised immune system, suffer different kinds of digestive issues and inflammation (such as irritable bowel syndrome). It is for these reasons that they should consider a regular intake of gut friendly supplements to help strengthen their immune systems. One of the benefits is that they promote the growth of good bacteria to help reduce inflammation involved in this skin disease. They go about building a potent immune response to help your body fight inflammation, get rid of toxins as well as increase the function of the digestive system. Scientists are still working to develop an entirely new class of probiotics that are highly targeted to address psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Microbes: Vital to our immune system

Although the immune system’s primary purpose is to target the bacteria to defend our bodies from harmful pathogens, researchers have now found out that not all bacteria are toxic and that others are an essential part of the immune defence. These beneficial microbes control the development of critical components of the immune system. Additionally, these microbes have figured out our immune systems in ways that scientists are still yet to understand.

Typically, we rely on our immune system to distinguish harmful bacteria from the harmless ones. Still, it does not do it by itself. Microbes have learned to flip certain switches within our bodies when necessary. For instance, they induce the T cells to promote inflammatory responses while others cause it to suppress inflammatory responses. In short, microbes play a significant role in our body’s decision on whether or not to launch an immune attack.

Recent research

Unlike antibiotic treatments that kill the harmful bacteria, probiotic treatment promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, particularly the kind that reduces the inflammatory response involved in different types of psoriasis skin disorder.

A case study from 2012 looked into the probiotic treatment options of a woman suffering from pustular psoriasis. Psoriasis had not been responding well to traditional treatments which prompted medical professionals to explore other options, such as priobiotic treatment. The woman was put on probiotic Lactobacillus (this is used in the manufacture of fermented foods, yoghurt, and cheese). After two weeks, her plaques began to subside.

A different study in 2013 carried on 35,624 individuals with psoriasis looked into the effects of probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis on their condition. The researchers concluded that taking oral probiotics helped reduce the biomarkers of inflammation.

How probiotics work

The myriads of bacteria (good and bad) in the gut make up the digestive tract microbiota, which is crucial for your overall health. The good microbes (probioatic) in the intestines provide tons of health benefits for the whole body. When you add probiotics to your diet, they help enhance the growth of the good bacteria to improve your health. People with psoriasis often have more inflammation-causing microbes in their intestine. Hence, adding them to your diet might help to bring equilibrium your intestines microbial mix since they stimulate your body’s T cells whose primary function is to regulate the immune system as well as reduce inflammation. When you lose good bacteria in your body, for instance, after taking antibiotics, they help to replace them and create a level of homeostasis in the body, specifically the gut.

How to add them to your daily routine

You can add probiotics to your daily routine to help your skin improve through probiotic-rich foods. A diet rich in these type of foods is a great way to introduce beneficial microbes into your system. They can be found in:

• Fermented cheese 
• Sourdough bread
• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Kimchi
• Acidophilus milk
• Pickles

As most of psoriasis sufferers know, not all foods mentioned above are recommended while following a psoriasis friendly diet and that is why another great and efficient way of adding them to your daily routine is though  supplements. However, it is advised that you consult your health professional first before you start taking the supplements. Your doctor will also help you choose the appropriate supplements for your needs.

How do you choose the best supplements?

Here a few tips on how to choose a probiotic supplement from the National Psoriasis Treatments:

• Go for a brand that contains at least 1 to 6 billion organisms per daily dosage.
• Purchase a supplement that contains Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains. According to research, these bacteria strengthens immunity.
• Choose Enteric-coated capsules since they ensure that the organisms survive the exposure to stomach acid.

Best bacteria for psoriasis

The most effective bacteria for psoriasis are strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus which include;

• B. infantis
• B. bifidum
• B. longum
• S. thermophiles
• L. lactis
• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• L. rhamnosus bifidum
• L. bulgaricus
• L. rhamnosus