Plaque Psoriasis or maybe we call it…gut issues.
So many drugs for plaque psoriasis!
There are constant commercials on TV.
Among the drugs are:
(Skyrizi), (Ilumya), and (Tremfya).
How big a problem is psoriasis?
How do these drugs work?
Basically, these drugs block the action of an inflammatory chemical in the body. That chemical (interleukin-23) promotes the activity of immune cells (T-helper cells-17). These cells appear to be more prevalent in people with plaque psoriasis.
When you block the action of the chemicals, no more T-helper cell activity and hence, reduction in psoriasis. Voila!
These drugs are also used in the treatment of other autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Do we need these chemicals?
Yes! These chemicals are critical. T-helper cells make sure that we have mature and effective cell-mediated immune response.
What is cell-mediated immune response?
It is how your body responds to a foreign invader. So when you are attacked by let’s say….Covid 19… your cell mediated immune system is what makes antibodies to that virus and kills it. I would say that it’s pretty important.
Wouldn’t you?
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Disclaimer!
This is where I get in big trouble.
So I have to tell you all, that nothing I say, write or do is intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Nor are any recommendations made intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.
(Because the medical community and the FDA in their infinite wisdom have determined that if you name something a disease, then the ONLY cure for that disease is a drug).
Since I am not allowed to talk about psoriasis, I will talk about how to help with a skin issues related to gut lining problems. Sometimes it can cause “thick red skin with silvery flakes.”
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DIVERGENCE
A simple lesson in anatomy
Question: Is your digestive system (esophagus, intestines, etc.) considered internal or external?
Answer: It’s actually considered OUTSIDE the body. In fact, your skin is considered to be contiguous to your digestive system and vice versa.
(This simple medical fact will be important in a second).
Using your gigantic brain and powers of deductive reasoning,
If you have-
“patches of thick red skin and silvery scales, typically found on elbows, knees, scalp, face of palms, soles of feet, and lower back…
is that a problem with the outside of your body or inside your body?”
Not only is it a problem with the INSIDE of your body, but it’s basically a problem with the lining of the gut.
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Your gut- aka “gastro-intestinal system” or GI
Your gut lining is protected by what are called tight junctions:
You can visualize them in the image below as the mess of stuff between the epithelial cells.
There are a few things that will degrade the lining and breakdown the tight junctions:
- Stress- cortisol produced by the adrenal glands in times of stress will inhibit probiotic activity and lead to a breakdown of the tight junctions of the gut lining.
- Stress also causes the cells that produce the protective mucus lining of the gut to stop working hence speeding up that lining degradation.
- bacteria
- fungus
- virus
- parasites
Now, if you have a healthy functioning immune system AND especially a healthy cell-mediated antibody response the likelihood of bacteria, fungus, virus and parasites to get out of control and attack the tight junctions would be significantly reduced. Hmmmm…
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A natural approach
How do we protect and/or repair the tight junctions?
Excellent question!
First- PROTECT.
Reduce stress.
Easy to say, I know.
But a simple tool to help reduce the effects of stress or “fight or flight” response is to help your body flip the switch from a stress response to a relaxation response.
How?
Breathe.
No. I’m serious.
Take 3 deep breaths into the bottom of your rib cage.
This is diaphragmatic breathing and will switch your nervous system to the relaxation response. It decreases the cortisol response and gets the probiotic activity up to help improve your overall immune response.
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Second- REPAIR.
Supporting the repair of the gut lining is pretty straight forward.
- Bone broth- buy it pre-made or make it yourself. My favorite is to take a whole chicken, roast it, eat it. Then take all the bones from it and cook it down into a broth. Add whatever vegetables you want and you have a wonderful chicken soup with gut repairing bone broth.
- Probiotic rich foods- anything fermented. kimchi, miso, kefir, yogurt (unsweetened), real pickles, sauerkraut.
Topically- Coconut oil seems to do a great job of reducing the inflammation and promoting healing.
Will food alone do it?
Unfortunately, I don’t think so.
It probably could but it seems to take a really long time. ;-)
Supplements- using supplements to accelerate the repair process.
- L-glutamine
- Probiotic
I personally like the Standard Process line which you all know.
So for help with gut repair I like to use the following:
You can order these direct from our online store using the links above.
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The concept is pretty simple-
“What you see on the outside skin is a reflection of what your gut lining looks like.”
Pretty crazy, right?!
So healing the gut lining is critical for long term relief of “areas of thick red skin with silvery patches.”