Is Zinc Deficiency A Cause Of Psoriasis?

A study in the British Journal of Dermatology found that there was a marked zinc deficiency in many of their psoriasis patients. Zinc is important for its antioxidant benefits that are essential for good skin health. I’m going to see 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 essential for good skin health due to its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are extremely important in protecting the body against free radicals, tiny chemical particles that convert food into energy. However, when these free radicals get out of hand, they can attack the body, damage our cells, and possibly cause premature aging, heart disease, and skin conditions. Consequently, it is important to have a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, E, and zinc to keep free radicals in check.

How do you become zinc deficient?

Zinc deficiency seems to be a modern-day affliction when our diet and lifestyles have drastically changed. Unfortunately, lower levels of zinc are now found in the soil, reducing the levels in our food. Our refined and highly processed foods and our excessive consumption of sugar and carbohydrates contribute to the decrease of zinc levels in our diet. Vegetarians, especially, can be at risk for zinc deficiency because the main source of zinc is meat. Our zinc levels can be reduced not only with diet, but also with increased stress levels.

How do you know if you have a zinc deficiency?

The signs of zinc deficiency vary from person to person. However, there are some common symptoms to watch out for. These include dandruff, poor wound healing, sleep disturbances, diarrhea, hair loss, loss of libido, dry skin, rashes, and reduced fertility. If you suffer from psoriasis and complain of any of the other suspicious symptoms, then you could be suffering from a zinc deficiency. To find out if 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 the use of zinc sulfate cream was effective in the treatment of psoriasis and induced a complete remission in a high percentage of cases. Another study showed that topical zinc pyrithione (an active ingredient in major dandruff shampoos) was very effective in treating psoriasis. Although there hasn’t been a great deal of research, completed studies have concluded that zinc can help psoriasis.

How is a zinc deficiency treated?

First of all, are you following a diet rich in sugar and refined carbohydrates like white rice, pasta, bread, cakes, and cookies? If the answer is yes, then you should think about alternative options like whole wheat 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, your body only absorbs a small percentage, especially from non-meat sources. If you suffer from psoriasis and especially if you are a vegetarian, then a zinc supplement may be worth taking.

Treat psoriasis with zinc

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

The good news is that if you think 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 that contain zinc.

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