A study in the British Journal of Dermatology found that there was a marked zinc deficiency in many of their patients with psoriasis. Zinc is important for its antioxidant benefits which are critical for good skin health. I’m going to look at why zinc is good for your skin and what steps you can take if you think you have a zinc deficiency.

As mentioned, zinc is critical for good skin health because of its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are extremely important in protecting the body against free radicals, tiny chemical particles that turn food into energy. However, when these free radicals get out of control, they can attack the body, damage our cells and possibly cause premature ageing, heart disease and skin diseases. Consequently, it is important to have a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A,C, E and zinc in order to keep the free radicals under control.

How do you become zinc deficient?
Zinc deficiency seems to be an affliction of modern times when our diet and lifestyles have changed dramatically. Unfortunately, lower levels of zinc are now found in the soil which lowers the levels in our food. Our highly processed, refined foods and our over-consumption of sugar and carbohydrates all contribute to the decreasing levels of zinc in our diet. Vegetarians, especially, can be at risk of zinc deficiency because the main source of zinc is meat. Our levels of zinc can be depleted not only by diet but also by increased stress levels.

How do you know when you have a zinc deficiency?
The signs of zinc deficiency vary from person to person. However, there are a few common symptoms to look out for. These include dandruff, poor wound healing, sleep disturbances, diarrhea, hair loss, loss of libido, skin dryness, rashes and reduced fertility. If you suffer with psoriasis and complain of any of the other suspected symptoms, then you could be suffering from a zinc deficiency. To find out whether you are zinc deficient or not, it is important to consult your doctor or nutritionist.

What research has been done on zinc?
A recent study showed that using zinc sulphate cream was effective in treating psoriasis and induced a complete remission in a high percentage of cases. Another study showed that topical zinc pyrithione (an active ingredient in major anti-dandruff shampoos) was highly effective in the treatment of psoriasis. Even though there has not been a huge amount of research, the completed studies have concluded that zinc can help psoriasis.

How do you treat a zinc deficiency?
First of all, are you eating a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates such as white rice, pasta, bread, cakes and cookies? If the answer is yes, then you need to think about alternative options such as wholemeal bread, brown rice and avoiding sugary foods. Great sources of zinc are oysters, pork, chicken, beef, lamb, chickpeas, baked beans, pumpkin seeds and cheese. Unfortunately, even if you take a high level of zinc, only a small percentage actually gets absorbed by your body, especially from non-meat sources. If you suffer with psoriasis and especially if you are a vegetarian, then it would be worth taking a zinc supplement.

Treating psoriasis with zinc
Apart from changing your diet and adding supplements, there are other ways of taking zinc to treat your psoriasis. One way is to use creams containing zinc, for example DermaZinc Cream. DermaZinc is effective in treating the red, flaky, itchy and scaly skin associated with mild to moderate psoriasis. Another product that has been clinically proven and FDA approved is the Skin Zinc system which consists of a cream and a spray.

The good news is that if you think that a zinc deficiency may be the cause of your psoriasis, there is something you can do about it: improve your diet, reduce stress, take supplements and use creams containing zinc.

You should remember that zinc deficiency is only one possible cause of psoriasis and there are many other triggers. To learn more about possible psoriasis causes and the various methods of psoriasis cure, visit my Clear Skin Guide website.

Vicky Massey has a wide experience of alternative health and healing. She has a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and qualifications in massage, nutrition, healing and yoga.

There are so many natural psoriasis creams on the market that it can often be difficult to decide which cream is the best one to use and which ingredients to watch out for. Here are my top five natural psoriasis cream ingredients: Oregon grape, aloe vera, Dead Sea salts, tea tree oil and vitamin E. My choice is based upon both scientific and empirical evidence.

1. Oregon Grape
Oregon grape is an evergreen shrub with purple berries that look almost like grapes. It is native to the American northwest and has been found to have medicinal properties. Studies have shown that the Oregon grape contains a high concentration of berberine which has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Recent clinical trials found that using the Oregon grape in a topical cream is significantly more effective than other treatments and they concluded that it is a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis. Oregon grape can be used in tincture, ointment and cream form. Many people have found that taking a combination of oral tincture and topical cream does the trick.

2. Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant has long been used in a variety of ailments. When taken internally it helps treat irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive problems and when used topically it can treat burns, wounds and skin diseases. Aloe vera contains many vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars and amino acids which has been found to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and analgesic properties.

There have been very few clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of aloe vera for psoriasis, but the ones that have been undertaken have shown aloe vera in cream or gel form to be extremely beneficial. From my own experience, taking aloe vera gel internally helps boost the immune system and improves energy levels, whilst used on the skin it soothes burns and bites and clears spots. I have recommended an aloe vera and propolis cream to a friend with psoriasis who found that it really helped.

3. Dead Sea Salts
Many people have found that using Dead Sea Salts improved their psoriasis. In fact, studies in Israel have shown that bathing daily in the Dead Sea completely cleared the psoriasis in over 80% of sufferers. Dead Sea Salts contain a high concentration of minerals and salt which scientists found reduced inflammation, itching and skin roughness. There are two effective ways to treat psoriasis with Dead Sea Salts. The first is to put the salts in your bath water and soak for at least 20 minutes and the second is to use a Dead Sea Salt cream to soothe the skin.

4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree oil is distilled from the leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia plant which is native to Australia. In recent years it has become extremely popular for treating many conditions because of its proven anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, tea tree has become an ingredient of many products used to treat psoriasis and other skin diseases. Unfortunately, very little research has been done specifically on the use of tea tree oil for psoriasis. However, some studies have reported that tea tree oil is beneficial for treating scalp psoriasis and dandruff. In fact, there are many shampoos containing tea tree oil which claim to treat dry, itchy scalps and to keep the scalp free of bacteria.

5. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is an ingredient of many skin care products because of its antioxidant properties which are vital in protecting the skin cells from damaging free radicals. Even though there is very little evidence to suggest that Vitamin E is effective in treating skin diseases, many people have found benefit using creams containing Vitamin E because it helps to soften the skin and relieve itching and irritation.

Of course, there are many ingredients that can help treat the symptoms of psoriasis, and I have only talked about my top five natural psoriasis cream ingredients. For more information about the best psoriasis creams take a look at my Clear Skin Guide website where you can also check out the other natural psoriasis treatments.

Vicky Massey has a wide experience of alternative health and healing. She has a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and qualifications in massage, nutrition, healing and yoga.

When looking for an effective natural treatment for psoriasis, look no further than the Oregon grape. You may not have heard of this extraordinary herb that is now being touted as a safe and extremely successful treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis. What exactly is the Oregon grape and why all the hype?

The Oregon Grape (mahonia aquifolium) is not really a grape, but an evergreen shrub that gets clusters of purple berries, the color and appearance of which look a little like grapes. The berries are edible, although quite bitter in taste and usually have to be sweetened to make them palatable. The leaves of the plant look like holly and the flowers, which appear in late spring, are a beautiful yellow color. This attractive plant is native to the American northwest coast, from British Colombia to Northern California

The medicinal properties of the Oregon grape plant have long been known because it contains a high concentration of berberine. Berberine, found in the roots and bark, has been identified as having strong antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties that make it beneficial in the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and acne as well as for athlete’s foot and other fungal infections. It has even been suggested that berberine may help prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. All these benefits are not mere hearsay: several scientific studies have clearly shown that berberine has the ability to protect the body against cell damage, to slow down the rate of abnormal growth and to reduce inflammation.

However, three recent clinical trials have really proven that the Oregon grape is a viable treatment alternative for psoriasis. In one trial the group of patients using 10% concentration in a cream base had significantly greater benefits than the patients in the placebo group. Another study found that using it topically for 12 weeks improved the symptoms in a high percentage of the group, whilst yet another study found that using Oregon grape was more beneficial than the standard treatment. It has therefore been concluded that it is a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis.

Oregon grape can be used in several ways, such as tinctures, creams, ointments and teas. The mounting empirical evidence suggests that taking a tincture internally combined with a cream and ointment is an extremely effective treatment for psoriasis. It is important to note that even though a standard dosage has not been established, it has been found that Oregon grape can cause diarrhea and other symptoms if taken in too high a dose. It is also not suitable for pregnant women because evidence has shown that it can cause uterine contractions in animals.

If you are looking for an effective natural treatment for psoriasis, the Oregon Grape seems to be a great choice. Not only has it been scientifically proven to successfully treat psoriasis, but it’s safe to use with very few side-effects.

If you want to learn more about other psoriasis natural treatments and the best psoriasis creams, visit my Clear Skin Guide website.

Vicky Massey has a wide experience of alternative health and healing. She has a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and qualifications in massage, nutrition, healing and yoga.