Unlike healthy skin, the skin of a psoriasis sufferer regenerates too quickly, and does not slough off quickly enough. Consequently, dead skin accumulates, causing inflammation, itching, pain and swelling due to the patches and scales that characterize psoriasis. This may occur either as a chronic condition throughout a lifetime, or in occasional flare-ups.
Psoriasis is a skin disorder that can result from a variety of origins. One possible cause is known as psoriasis of the liver. Liver dysfunction may trigger or aggravate some cases of psoriasis. When the liver is overwhelmed by too many toxins, the bloodstream may also be affected by this excessive toxin level and can contribute to a psoriasis episode.
Medication used for psoriasis can also affect the liver, even leading to liver damage. According to Psoriasis-information.org, clearing out toxins may help the liver to resume proper function.
Dandelion root, garlic and milk thistle may step up the removal of toxins. Avoiding alcohol can protect the liver from undergoing further damage. Fasting may be considered as a method for allowing the liver to cleanse itself.
According to Wisegeek.com, the connection between liver function and psoriasis is a tenuous one, without a strong scientific foundation. However, for those interested in investigating this possible connection, there are dietary treatments that many have tried and some have believed they benefitted from.
Will these treatments help? Wisegeek.com says improvement is not certain. But neither can dietary treatments hurt.
One possible treatment is detoxification, using fat-soluble vitamin and natural food therapy. Wisegeek.com advises that you always communicate with your doctor on these matters.
According to an April 12, 2010 article on Celiac.com, approximately half of all psoriasis sufferers also have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). About 0.2 - 4.3 percent also have celiac disease and about half of one percent has Crohn's disease.
For those living with psoriasis of the liver, Dr. Sandra Cabot, author of the book The Liver Cleansing Diet, recommends a gluten-free diet with emphasis on fruits and vegetables. Favored protein sources would be cheese, free range or organic chicken and eggs, lean meat, oily fish and plain full-fat yogurt.
One of the goals of Cabot's treatments is to lower insulin and blood sugar levels, which can help the liver clear itself of unhealthy fat. Cabot cautions that her protocol usually takes about six months for healing to emerge. But she says that it can control psoriasis and reverse NAFLD.
Sources:
Psoriasis and the Liver. Psoriasis-information.org. Web. August 23, 2011.
http://www.psoriasis-information.org/psoriasis/psoriasis-liver.html
What Is Psoriasis of the Liver? Wisegeek.com. Web. August 23, 2011.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-psoriasis-of-the-liver.htm
Psoriasis, Liver, and the Gastrointestinal Tract. Celiac.com. Web. August 23, 2011.
http://www.celiac.com/articles/22083/1/Psoriasis-Liver-and-the-Gastrointestinal-Tract/Page1.html
Psoriasis. Liverdoctor.com. Web. August 23, 2011.
http://www.liverdoctor.com/index.php?page=newsletter&id=15&article=76
Liverdoctor.com. Web. August 23, 2011.
http://www.liverdoctor.com
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Reviewed August 24, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg R.N.