This myTake is an answer to some other user's myTake (Common Misconceptions About Psoriasis and How I Manage The Condition) who had bad experiences with mainstream medicine managing their symptoms and seek some alternative solution or maybe are too skeptical towards one. This is a dreadful condition and i can only empathise with the cross you are baring. I am not a medical doctor but my testimony is similar to million others so it might be of some benefit to you.
I have psoriasis since 16. It was a very stressful time of my life when i went through a depression due to excess bullying, home quarrels, combined with the huge cherry on the top that came with the loss of a loved one. Thats when the symptoms first manifested.
By the way I had constipation since 10 years old, chronic stress, and a geographic tongue, which are traits very common in psoriasis patients. The connection between skin health and colon health is undoubted and all research points to that direction. Gut permeability, gut bacteria dysbiosis etc, all play a huge role in health, as colon is the ... second brain! and the main immune system determiner.
Mainstream medicine gives fancy names to things it doesn't understand. "Idiopathic, autoimmune etc" are names to cover up they don't know what causes those symptoms. Also it comes from a reductionist paradigm of medicine that dissects the human body to isolated systems/parts, and doesn't view it holistically and psychosomatically. It also implies the human body isn't wise on its own and it acts erratically and irrationally. While it's not the case, the body only adapts to its stressors in most cases of "autoimmune diseases".
Since I was 16 I was being prescribed strong corticoid creams and pills that only burdened my liver and barely alleviated the symptoms. I tried everything, from Chinese herbs, to naturopathy, manuka honey, aloe vera, geranium and other essential oils etc. While they had some effect, i knew i was doing something wrong in my approach.
When a tree has yellow leaves, you don't spray the leaves and pray for it to work, you address the roots' nutrition and the soil purity. So in my research i found holistic medicine and dietary medicine. I tried many things. For 6 months i was a vegan, for other 2 raw vegan, i was also gluten free, and processed sugars free, and chocolate/coffee free. It helped me immensely. I always had a feeling i had a bad bacterial overgrowth as well as gluten sensitivity in my intestines whenever i ingested gluten foods or sugary foods.
After those 8 months i found out veganism was not sustainable for me but to be frank it helped me cleanse well. I also did 3 water fasts in that period. One for 2 days one for 3 and one for 4. each time i did better and felt less worse detox symptoms and lymph waste removal. My symptoms were for a 80% put into remission and i didn't need creams or anything any more.
What my diet looks like right now. I do a mostly keto/AIP hybrid diet (not strictly though) with grassfed organic meats, few fruits and carbs here and there (mostly low glycemic berries and sour (minimally hybridised) apples and sweet potatoes in small quantities), grain-free, coffee/cocoa-free, processed sugars-free, soy and corn-free and dairy free.
The doctors told me repeatedly that i will be doomed with the symptoms FOR LIFE. I AM SYMPTOM FREE FOR 3 YEARS. (how is that mr false prophets! hehe.) So i have no reason to not keep doing what i'm doing. And i've heard countless similar testimonies so i thought to give you some hope.
Other Important things to consider.
Intermittent fasting. From 8 at night till 10 in the morning at least, i eat nothing. Every Wednesday and Friday i prolong it till 6 in the evening and usually have only one big meal those two days.
Water, and vegan fasting periods. Not exaggerated and always build up and step out properly from them. You can do your research on how to do that.
Meal frequency and snacking. I usually eat 2 worst case scenario 3 meals a day. Constantly eating not only doesn't let your colon heal and rest, it also increases insulin resistance even if you eat keto(!!) snacks, and it generally doesn't help. If you want to eat snacks better eat them with your main meals than in-between.
Working out. Getting this blood flow going and the lymph system flowing. Also exchanging cold and hot showers in the same session helps.
Sunshine. Can't stretch enough how we are physically an electromagnetic battery needing to recharge, and how much you also need that vitamin D and DHA as well. At least 20 minutes a day between hours 10:00-15:00 exposure with minimally covered skin and no sunglasses. During winter also supplement with a good vitamin D3, at least 2000 IUs.
Superfoods like clarified grass-fed ghee, molecularly distilled fish oil from wild caught mercury free fish, high grade fish eggs, berries, turmeric, ginger, matcha, celery or kale juice, hemp hearts, red quinoa etc. (those that you can handle without problems).
Winter swimming, sports and all sorts of cryotherapy.
Think out of the box for your systemic health.
-You could have histamine issues which require a special approach to diet.
-Nightshades vegetables sensitivity.
-You could have chron's disease, gut permeability, gut dysbiosis, gluten allergy etc.
-You could have weak stomach acid and digestive enzymes which hinders your digestion.
-The brain- gut connection could be hindered and the vagus nerve is less responsive.
-Thyroid and other adrenal issues.
-Lymph system stagnation.
-Teeth problems.
etc.
And finally but most importantly:
Address the whole human being. The physical suit is not your only body, you also have the emotional and the spiritual body. Gratitude; Forgiving and get forgiven; Lowering stress; Having and giving love to relatives, friends and strangers in need; Praying, meditating, and relaxing, all play a role in a healthy human existence.
Thanks for reading folks! can only wish you the best in your autoimmune journey or helping a relative that wants to help himself.
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