Probiotics for psoriasis: do they work? Bacteria are your friends

The bad news for all of us who suffer from psoriasis is that you are not alone, as it affects about 7.5 million people here in the US The bad news is that although psoriasis is commonly considered little more than a condition Irritating to the skin, research shows us that it can lead to psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, Crohn’s disease, and cancer, so it’s not something to be taken lightly. .

Not to mention that it is considered incurable. And don’t even get us started on all the cures aimed at eliminating psoriasis. After all, it seems like a lot of psoriasis treatments involve dubious ingredients like steroids, petroleum jelly, or some kind of pharmaceutical nonsense that you don’t know whether to blindly trust or just take it to the toxic waste dump and dispose of it.

But you do need something to at least ease the symptoms of pesky psoriasis, and preferably something natural that doesn’t cause a list of other side effects.

Enter probiotics, which can not only help you cure your condition, but also come with a host of other health benefits, rather than nasty side effects. Better yet, these beneficial bacteria are natural and essential for not only reducing the inflammation that psoriasis causes, but also for digestion, healthy hormonal balance, and overall body health.

How Probiotics Help Psoriasis

As many of us already know, probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in us, on us, and around us, and without them, we would not even be able to digest our food or have a healthy immune system.

However, our modern lifestyles have us deficient in these crucial microorganisms. This is because most of us do not live in environments like farms or ranches where contact with friendly microbes is more common than in urban areas, and there is also our overuse of disinfectants, disinfectants, and antibiotics.

One of the many problems with this deficiency is that since probiotics help control inflammation-causing bacteria by stimulating our immune-regulatory T cells, the result can be chronic inflammation. Since psoriasis is caused by inflammation, low levels of gut bacteria can leave us vulnerable to it.

Additionally, probiotics play a role in other aspects of skin health, such as preventing acne, healing wounds, rejuvenating the skin, and strengthening the overall immune health of the skin (and the body). This is due not only to the ability of probiotics to help reduce inflammation, but also to control other less desirable bacteria that can take over in the absence of probiotics.

But which probiotic strain should I use for psoriasis?

There are trillions of strains of bacteria that form ecosystems within us, and each of us has our own body chemistry that can support different varieties of microorganisms. In fact, it has been observed that the types of bacteria in us can be compared to a fingerprint, since no two are identical.

However, different bacteria also affect different conditions, such as studies showing that Lactobacillus, B. bifudum, and L. acidophilus are effective in treating acne.

And while using any probiotic to improve gut flora may be better than nothing, some strains work better with skin conditions like psoriasis than others, including:

Bifidobacterium bifidum. Perhaps the best-known probiotic strain, B. bifidum, is essential for skin health, as it plays a key role in maintaining a strong immune system. B. bifidum works to control the unwanted varieties of bacteria in the gut, which not only helps with digestion, but also stimulates the body’s immune response against inflammation and allergies.

Lactobacillus plantarum. L. plantarum helps the body make L. lysine, which is an amino acid that supports calcium absorption and hormone production, and is also key to supporting a positive immune response to protect against inflammation. This not only protects us against psoriasis, but also has anti-aging, digestive and immune health benefits.

Lactobacillus acidophilus. It is also one of the best known probiotics due to its long association with digestive health, especially for those who have trouble digesting dairy products. L. acidophilus is also an immune booster, helping to produce a healthy response to inflammation and associated skin conditions.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus. L. rhamnosus obtains antibodies to prevent infection and inflammation. This helps you boost the immune system, as well as protect against inflammation.

How to take probiotics for psoriasis?

To start taking probiotics for psoriasis, you don’t need to add another supplement to your stash.

Instead, you could go the more pleasant route of adding another dish to the table. Cultured foods can be a simple and tasty way to add bacteria to your diet. Try some yogurt, raw sauerkraut, kefir, or kimchi, although be sure to buy unpasteurized cold-processed products, as heat kills bacteria.

Some manufacturers, like yogurt, also include strains of bacteria in their packaging, helping to ensure that the product contains live bacteria. However, even if not, you should be able to identify a sour taste and smell in most grown produce, which also indicates that the bacteria are alive.

You can also go out and play dirt for its probiotics, which may not be too practical for most city dwellers. However, if you have a garden, you’re in luck, as the soil can also be a rich source of probiotics, and there are few more satisfying ways to obtain them. Reduce your grocery bill, fight psoriasis, and enjoy fresh veggies? Done!

Finally, taking a probiotic capsule daily is the easiest and most consistent way to get our microbes. When looking for a good probiotic, remember to look for a variety of strains, including some bifids and some lactobacilli.

You may need to try a few different companies and products before you find which one works best for you overall, but look for a product with a count of at least 6 billion. You should also buy only a product that is perishable. Look for a timestamp or expiration date, which helps ensure the product is fully potent and alive. Lastly, look for a dark glass container, as light can also kill bacteria.

Final Notes on Probiotics for Psoriasis

Put down the cleaning supplies, they are making you unhealthy! Seriously, most of us do a little more disinfection than we really need, which is understandable since we want to keep ourselves and our families healthy and safe.

However, by overusing hand sanitizers, counter sanitizers, and other antibacterial products, we’re not just killing the bad guys, but the good guys as well. Additionally, many disinfectants are endocrine disruptors that can cause conditions such as rashes and eczema. Hmmm, could this have something to do with her psoriasis?

But, even if the disinfecting agents aren’t causing your psoriasis, they’re likely interfering with healthy probiotic populations, so stick with soap and water; it really is the best way to clean. Better yet, stick with a natural soap that is good for psoriasis.

So instead of trying a “cure” for your psoriasis that can only lead to more health problems, why not try probiotics? After all, you may find that they are not only good at relieving your psoriasis, but they can also improve your digestion, immune health, and mental well-being.