Skin Microbiota As A Therapeutic Target For Psoriasis Treatment: Trends And Perspectives
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas , Campinas, Brazil
Correspondence
Roberta Balansin Rigon, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas , Rua Cândido Portinari, 200 – Cidade Universitária, Campinas – SP, 13083-871, Brazil.
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas , Campinas, Brazil
Correspondence
Roberta Balansin Rigon, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas , Rua Cândido Portinari, 200 – Cidade Universitária, Campinas – SP, 13083-871, Brazil.
Funding information:
This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior Brasil Finance Code 001. Andréa Carolina Pinheiro de Freitas thanks Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior for master scholarship.
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Which Vegetarian Foods Are High In Biotin
While liver and eggs are the best sources of biotin, offering 10 mcg and 5 mcg of biotin respectively, vegans and vegetarians need not worry. There are plenty of vegan sources for biotin. All nuts and seeds are good sources of biotin. Peanuts and almonds have a higher content than walnuts .
Avocados are nutrient-dense foods that offer 2 to 6 mcg of biotin per fruit. They also contain heart-healthy fatty acids and plenty of fiber, so make sure to include them in your diet . Just half a cup of sweet potatoes offer you 2.4 mcg of biotin with just 90 calories. Sweet potatoes are also a great source of beta carotene .
Eat your onions cooked rather than raw as cooked onions provide 8 mcg of biotin per serving while a cup of raw cauliflower has 4 mcg. Since biotin is water-soluble, boiling cauliflower for long will cause loss of this vitamin , .
Have them steamed or roasted to ensure you get the vitamin if you dont like having them raw. A vegetable thats particularly delicious to eat raw are tomatoes and they offer you 7.2 mcg of biotin.
Biotin Promotes Hair Growth
Biotin is being hailed as a solution for all the problems related to hair growth. A study was conducted in 2015 on women experiencing hair thinning problems. The participants were either given oral protein tablets containing biotin or a placebo for 90 days twice a day. It was noted that the women who were put on oral protein supplement showed significant improvement in their hair growth and also reported less hair fall .
Other studies have concluded that the consumption of biotin does give a positive result and improves overall hair growth . However, more comprehensive studies are needed to understand the benefit of biotin on hair growth.
Summary: Consuming biotin-rich foods or supplements does have a positive impact on hair growth.
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Start Your Day With Fortified Cereal
Fortified cereal is another easy way to get your daily fill of vitamin D. Look for a low-calorie fortified hot or cold cereal, and read the package label to determine how much vitamin D you will get and whats considered a serving size.
Bonus points if you top your bowl of cereal with fortified milk and pair it with a glass of fortified OJ.
What You Need To Know
As mentioned, inflammatory immune-mediated diseases, like psoriasis, increase your risk for other health complications. Being overweight further compounds your risk for diabetes and heart disease.
To minimize your risk of these related diseases, itâs important to maintain a healthy weight.
To help identify what is a healthy weight for you, calculate your body mass index . You can use this calculator from the Centers for Disease Control.
To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. People who lose weight slowly, about 1 to 2 pounds per week, are more successful at keeping the weight off. You also will burn additional calories if you increase your physical activity.
Your weight loss plan should:
- Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
- Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
- Contain foods low in saturated fats, avoid trans fats, limit cholesterol and salt
- Avoid refined sugars and processed foods.
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Alternative Treatments For Psoriasis
There is no cure for psoriasis, so the goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and bring about remission. Remission refers to periods when symptoms reduce or disappear completely.
Potential treatments for psoriasis include taking supplements, avoiding triggers, taking medications, and using light therapy.
Avoid Medications That Cause Flare
Let your doctor know about all the medications you take, even over-the-counter ones. Ask if they could affect your psoriasis. Drugs that are known to make things worse include:
- Lithium, used to treat psychiatric disorders
- Propranololand possibly other beta-blockers, which are prescribed for heart conditions
- Quinidine, medication for irregular heart beat
If you’re using any of these medications, ask your doctor about substitutes. Know about these and other drugs that can trigger psoriasis flares.
Recommended Reading: Does Psoriasis Flare Up In Heat
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use this product if you are allergic to biotin.
Before using biotin, talk to your healthcare provider. Your dose needs may be different:
-
if you have kidney disease
-
if you have had stomach surgery or
-
if you smoke.
Ask a doctor before using biotin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.
When To See A Doctor If You Think You Have Psoriasis
If you notice that your skin is going through cycles of scaliness, redness, cracking, itchiness, and pain, schedule an appointment with a primary care doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible before changing your diet or taking supplements.
The benefits of a dietary change might take months to show signs of improvement. A doctor can help you find immediate or short-term relief.
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What Other Supplements Can Help Alleviate Psoriasis Symptoms
There are other supplements that could help psoriasis symptoms. But be careful of anything that claims to cure psoriasis because, currently, the skin condition has no cure.
However, here are some supplements to try for prosiasis:
- Omega-3 fatty acids
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis in some people is caused by a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fatty acids can be found in vegetable oils, some nuts, and salmon. They can also be taken in as supplements, which many already do. Omega-3 fatty acids also help in reducing inflammation and improving thinking as well as brain development.
- Vitamin D
Vitamin D is made up of several components, including two prescription medicines for psoriasis, Dovonex and Vectical, which are used on the skin. Although there isnt enough research as to the effectiveness of using vitamin D supplements for psoriasis, but it wouldnt hurt to give it a try. Additionally, vitamin D food sources include fish, eggs, and fortified milk.
- Curcumin
Curcumin is the active component found in the herb called turmeric. It has a lot of health benefits, including reducing blood sugar and treating irritable bowel syndrome . In studies of mice with psoriasis, curcumin was found to stop the growth of skin cells. Although, there is no established dosage, you can get curcumin in supplements and dietary turmeric.
Best Shampoos For Psoriasis 2021
Psoriasis is a relatively common skin condition thats characterized by red, itchy, flaky skin covered in a silvery scales. More than anything, psoriasis is an inconvenience rather than a life-threatening condition. Regardless of this, however, having psoriasis can be a major discomfort for the majority of those who suffer from the condition.
Often, psoriasis develops along the elbows, knees, lower back, and most commonly, throughout the scalp. For that reason, people who have psoriasis need to use specific shampoo formulations to avoid aggravating the condition.
So if you want to help ease the itching, redness, and flaking that this condition might cause on your scalp, try checking out these options for the best shampoo for psoriasis.
Also Check: Natural Ways To Treat Scalp Psoriasis
Dosage Preparation And Safety
The FDA has not established a recommended dietary allowance for biotin. According to the National Institutes of Health, 30 micrograms is the adequate daily intake for adults 19 years of age and older. People can usually get this amount through their diet.
Still, people who support its use often recommend taking 2 to 5 milligrams of biotin in supplement form daily in order to strengthen hair and achieve results.
Although biotin is a water-soluble vitamin , the safety of using any amount of biotin in supplement form is unknown.
As with many other supplements, biotin hasn’t been tested for safety in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications.
Eat Your Way To Better Skin
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones. Following a diet rich in leafy green vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains a strategy long-touted as the best way to achieve good health is also an effective way to look as healthy as you feel and glow from the inside out. Evaluate your diet to see where you might need improvement, and speak with a nutritionist if you want help creating a personalized plan.
Want help improving your nutrition or evaluating your diet? Contact one of Tri-City Medical Centers registered dietitians today!
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What Are The Causes And Risk Factors Of Psoriasis
- The immune system plays a key role in psoriasis. What happens in psoriasis is that a particular subset of T lymphocytes which is a type of white blood cell abnormally causes inflammation in the skin and other parts of the body. These T cells trigger skin cells to proliferate and produce changes in the blood vessels of the skin. Consequently, this leads to plaque psoriasis. The T cells do this by producing inflammatory chemicals.
- Psoriasis has a genetic component, which means that it can be inherited. Yes, there are people who carry genes that make them more susceptible to developing psoriasis. However, the fact that someone has the genes that would make him prone to having psoriasis doesnt necessarily mean they will have the disease. An estimated one-third of psoriasis sufferers have at least a member of their family with the disease.
- There are certain factors responsible for psoriasis flare-ups in people who have the genes in them. They include environmental factors such as alcoholism, smoking, sore throat, and sunburns. These factors exacerbate psoriasis by increasing the frequency of flares. Another factor that could trigger psoriasis is injury to the skin. For instance, a skin infection, inflammation on the skin, or even excessive scratching of the skin can bring on psoriasis. Some medications have been known to aggravate psoriasis too.
- Flare-ups can come and go or last for weeks or months.
Psoriasis And Vitamin D Deficiency
A topical supplement may help your treatment.
Fighting psoriasis, a condition characterized by patches of irritated, flaky skin that usually appear on the elbows and knees and across the trunk, is difficult throughout the year, especially in winter. New research may help explain why. Scientists in Italy found that people with psoriasis also suffer from vitamin D deficiency.
“We speculated that vitamin D might be low in psoriasis patients, but this is the first good study that substantiates it,” says Dr. Suzanne Olbricht, an associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School.
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- Research health conditions
- Prepare for a doctor’s visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
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How What You Eat Can Affect The Health Of Your Skin
Maintaining healthy doses of vitamins in your body can be extremely beneficial to the overall health of your skin. Our skin is maintained by vitamins that promote healthy cell growth, cell turnover, and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Supplements can be a great way to fill in any gaps in our diet when purchased from reputable manufacturers and used correctly. That being said, its recommended to improve your diet before you turn to supplements.
Vitamins and nutrients are most potent in their natural form, where they are accompanied by hundreds of helpful non-essential nutrients that might not be in your supplements.
If you are deficient in any nutrients, consider speaking with a nutritionist to discover how you can incorporate a more well-balanced diet into your day-to-day life.
Vitamin D Cream For Skin Problems
Vitamin D, as a topical treatment, is most commonly used for psoriasis, a hereditary skin condition. Proper application of vitamin D to the affected spot may help relieve the symptoms commonly associated with psoriasis and also may help to prevent scarring. However, continued medical research is required to accurately test the efficacy of vitamin creams, so consult with a health care professional before relying on any topical creams as a treatment.
Read Also: Skin Conditions Like Eczema And Psoriasis
Avoid Scrapes Cuts Bumps And Infections
It’s extra important for people with psoriasis to avoid bumps and cuts. Trauma to the skin can cause a flare, a condition called “Koebner’s phenomenon.” Infections can also cause problems. Be especially careful when shaving. Avoid acupuncture, tattoos, and do your best to prevent insect bites and chafing. Get more information on Koebner’s phenomenon and psoriasis.
Head And Shoulders Clinical Strength Shampoo
This product was developed for seborrheic dermatitis which is another common skin condition affecting the scalp. Its symptoms are much like those that manifest with psoriasis, which is why this product has often been considered the best shampoo for psoriasis.
Head & Shoulders has long been praised as the most effective solution against dandruff, and their powerful Clinical Strength formula works wonders with relieving the symptoms associated with the condition. The selenium sulfide in the shampoo encourages the skin to shed excess dead cells on the surface and then soothes the irritation to prevent the overproduction of skin cells.
Another reason why this product has received praise from users is that it works well as a daily shampoo. It can be hard to find a formulation that can work well as a daily product because psoriasis shampoos are usually developed for the scalp not the hair. Able to provide users a thorough clean on top of minimizing the discomfort and irritation caused by psoriasis, this shampoo is definitely an all-around product that gets the job done.
Also Check: How To Stop Itching Scalp Psoriasis
B Vitamins: Your Secret To Good Skin Health
When we look in the mirror as part of our daily skincare routine and spot a new blemish, wrinkle, or dull patch of skin, most of us reach for an appropriately marketed beauty product without much thought. We may know this product treats acne and that one smooths wrinkles, but we arent necessarily sure why, or how, they do it. And we would hardly ever think to eat or drink something to treat our skin problems.
Perhaps its time to rethink that approach. Our skin is the bodys largest organ, and its affected by everything we put on it, as well as everything we ingest. Remedying poor skin requires us to treat not only our symptoms but the root causes as well, and that begins with good nutrition.
B vitamins in particular support skin health in a multitude of ways, making their inclusion in your daily regimen whether through diet, supplements, personal care products, or a combination of the three an effective and safe way to treat skin issues.
Try A Vitamin D Ointment
Vitamin D topical ointments are often used to counteract the abnormally fast regeneration of skin cells that can lead to psoriasis plaques. Prescription ointments or creams that contains active or synthetic vitamin D3 include Dovonex and Vectical , says the NPF.
If you put something on the skin that slows growth, it may cause the plaques to become thinner and less scaly, says Richard Gallo, MD, PhD, the founding chairman of the dermatology department at the University of California in San Diego.
Apply a thin layer to psoriasis plaques once or twice a day, or as recommended by your doctor. These medications can be used alone or with topical corticosteroids. Most people notice an improvement after using them for two weeks, according to the American Academy of Dematology.
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Biotin May Protect The Brain
Biotin, along with the other components of the vitamin B family, helps in keeping the nervous system healthy. It helps in regulating neurotransmitter activity and controlling the nerve signal function of the brain .
Along with other B Vitamins, biotin also helps in improving memory. It protects the brain against neurodegenerative disorders and diseases like Alzheimers and dementia.
Summary: Biotin is necessary for a healthy nervous system and it may boost memory, energy, and concentration.
Best Overall: Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo
Theres a lot to like about this shampoo. First and foremost, the sulfate-free formula works on all textures, from fine and straight to thick and curly . Its 98% natural, relying on ginger and ginseng to deep clean the scalp and stimulate the hair folliclesboth good things when it comes to promoting healthy hair growth. Meanwhile, biotin and vitamin 5 strengthen and thicken strands.
This pairs a laundry list of B vitamins, biotin included, of course, with strengthening amino acids and collagen, according to the brand. It relies on plant-based cleansers instead of potentially harsh and drying sulfates and is paraben-, phthalate-, and dye-free too. The lovely scent features notes of jasmine, bergamot, and appleand yes, you get all of that for an amazing wallet-friendly price.
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