Turmeric and Psoriasis: Is There Effectiveness, and If So, How?
In a promising development for those suffering from psoriasis, current scientific evidence indicates that curcumin, the active compound found in turmeric, could offer a natural treatment option. With its anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin has shown potential in alleviating symptoms of this chronic inflammatory skin disease.
Clinical studies suggest that both oral and topical curcumin formulations may hold promise for treating psoriasis. For moderate to severe cases, oral curcumin appears to be more effective and better tolerated, exerting multiple beneficial effects such as inhibiting skin cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis (cell death) of abnormal cells, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and enhancing skin barrier proteins.
Topical curcumin formulations, while facing challenges due to low bioavailability and limited skin penetration, have shown potential in reducing disease severity and improving well-being in mild to moderate psoriasis cases. Novel formulations are being developed to overcome these limitations and improve therapeutic outcomes.
The underlying mechanism for curcumin's potential benefit in psoriasis treatment is its anti-inflammatory properties. It is believed to work by decreasing oxidative stress, inhibiting the production of cytokines, enhancing the skin-barrier function, and reducing phosphorylase kinase (PhK).
While dermatologists are supportive of curcumin use due to its safety profile, it's important to note that high doses might cause gastrointestinal issues or interact with other medications. Combining curcumin with piperine (found in black pepper) can enhance its absorption and effectiveness.
Despite encouraging findings, large-scale clinical trials and further research are necessary to fully establish the long-term efficacy and safety of curcumin for psoriasis treatment.
In summary, curcumin represents a promising natural compound for psoriasis treatment, with oral forms showing better efficacy in more severe cases and topical forms potentially benefiting milder disease. Patients considering turmeric or curcumin supplements should consult their healthcare provider to ensure safety and appropriate dosing.
It's worth noting that while consuming dishes that contain turmeric is unlikely to make much difference to a person's symptoms, it may be beneficial and is unlikely to cause any harm. However, for medicinal use, research has focused on curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, rather than the food spice itself. Some topical applications containing curcumin are already available, but research into the most effective medicinal use of turmeric for psoriasis is still ongoing.
As with any treatment, it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially for those who are pregnant, due to have surgery, have a bleeding disorder, are taking anticoagulant drugs, have gallbladder disease, or are taking medications that may interact with curcumin.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the whole body, causing inflamed and scaly skin. Symptoms and their severity vary between individuals, and most people also experience flare-ups, when symptoms worsen, and remission, when symptoms may go away entirely for a while. Some people also have psoriatic arthritis, a condition in which inflammation affects the joints.
Conventional treatments for psoriasis aim to slow the rate of cell turnover and prevent ongoing inflammation. These treatments include topical creams or ointments, moisturizers, light therapy, systemic medications, and biologics.
While more research is necessary to find out the best way to take curcumin and what doses will be effective and safe for treating psoriasis, the potential benefits of this natural compound make it an exciting area of ongoing study in the field of dermatology.
- Treatmentseekers with psoriasis might find relief in curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, as shown by recent scientific evidence.
- While oral curcumin seems more effective for moderate to severe psoriasis cases, topical formulations could potentially benefit those with milder disease.
- Novel topical formulations are being developed to enhance curcumin's bioavailability, aiming for improved therapeutic outcomes.
- Experts recommend consulting medical professionals before using curcumin, especially for those with medical conditions like pregnancy, surgery, bleeding disorders, or those taking medications that may interact with curcumin.
- For those suffering from psoriasis, it's essential to be aware that the food spice turmeric may not provide the same benefits as curcumin supplements due to the focus of research on the active ingredient, curcumin.
- The long-term efficacy and safety of curcumin for psoriasis treatment require large-scale clinical trials and additional research to ensure proper dosing and minimized side effects.
