You must read and accept the disclaimer to use this site. Updated for monthly, 2011

SUMMARY: From my reading, nutritional supplements are unlikely to make a major difference for most people. But there is some rationale for exploring the use of sufficient vitamin D (400 iu), the six 1-g fish oil capsules, 400 iu of vitamin E. Taking 500 mg vitamin C twice a day also cannot hurt, and is helpful for other reasons, along with a B-complex. Easiest way to do this is a multivitamin/mineral that includes the 400 iu vitamin D, 500 mg vitamin C twice a day in separate tablet, 400 iu vitamin E in separate tablet, and the fish oil capsules.

MEDICAL TREATMENTS

1. From The Life of the Skin, by A. K. Balin - Arthur Balin is one of the top dermatologists in the world, one who is working with me in connection with Personal Health Corporation. It has a lengthy section on psoriasis. 2% of the population is affected. Anthralin is still in use. Combined with UV B light treatment, a few months of this treatment may relieve symptoms for 6 months to a year. Topical steroids are still in use. One new method is to give drugs targeted to activated T- cells which secrete interleukin-6. Another is a new topical vitamin D derivative called calcipotriene, which may be combined with light therapy. Two new oral drugs - etretinate, and methotrexate. Both drugs are only for severe psoriasis because they can be quite toxic. In the example in his book, the methotrexate was finally used and cleared a case which had taken 20 years to find an adequate treatment for.

2. From Healing Unlimited, Boardroom Classics - 95% of cases can be cleared! Key to success is trying many therapies until the most effective is found. Topical steroids work in only 10-20% of patients. Topicort, Halog, Lidex, wrapped on area in saran wrap. New steroid temevate clears half of all patients but can suppress adrenal glands. Actiderm patch is useful. Interlesional Kenalog therapy, an injected slow-dissolving steroid drug, must be repeated monthly. Psoralen, plus high intensity UV-A light, requires 30-40 treatments each year. Methotrexate, six tablets a week, is toxic to the liver, Etretinate is effective against severe cases, can cause minor side effects. Cyclosporine A is highly effective used as immune suppressant, but long term use can lead to kidney damage and cancer.

NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER TREATMENTS

3. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, M. Murray and Pizzorno - Diet - limit sugar, meat, animal fats and alcohol. Increase fiber and cold-water fiish. Supplements: Per day: Folic acid, 0.5 mg, vitamin A 50,000iu, vitamin E 400 iu, selenium 200 mcg, zinc 25 mg, flaxseed oil 1-2 tablespoons, cod liver oil 1 tablespoon Botanical medicine: three times a day: Bitter melon, balsam pear; Sarsaparilla spp.; Silymarin - 70-210 mg Topical treatment: allantoin from comfrey; gylcyrrhetinic acid from liquorice, camomile extract

4. The Complete Book of Natural and Medicinal Cures, Prevention Magazine - Drugs: hydrocortisone, fluocinolone, coal tar, anthralin, methoxsalen, methotrexate, etretinate, cyclosporine. Vitamin D at high doses is hazardous. But getting 400 iu per day provides useful daily allowance. A study in Japan showed people who took vitamin D orally or rubbed it on the skin improved. In a study at the skin research foundation, those taking six one-gram fish oil capsules daily improved more.

5. Healing with Vitamins - Prevention Magazine, Alice Feinstein. six one=gram fish oil capsules (2 three times a day), in finnish study over eight weeks, 20 of 80 people responded well. Apply Dovonex, by prescription only, improvement in 50%. Etretinate is a vitamin A derivative. Taking vitamin A itself will not help.

6. New Choices in Healing - Bill Gottlieb Aromatherapy - chamomile soothes skin. Five drops German chamomille in warm 10-minute soak. Apply 1 drop German chamomile in 1 ounce carrier oil. Nutrition: 1 teaspoon flaxseed oil, 400 iu vitamin A, 15-30 mg zinc.

7. Essential Guide to Vitamins And Minerals - Elizabeth Somer, 1992 3 in 4 people report improvements after 3 motnhs vitamin D supplement and lotion Safflower oil for linoleic acid. Zinc Fish oil for omega 3 fatty acids to lower leukotrienes, which cause inflammation Diet - avoid alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, a multivitamin with vitamin D and zinc.