There is a huge connection between gut health and autoimmune conditions.

If our microbiome becomes negatively altered because of stress, toxin consumption, diet and so on, this can lead to inflammation in the gut which can cause the immune system to become hyperactive.

Digestive dysfunction is another contributor to gut dysfunction that could be negatively impacting the immune system.

 One major way to improve psoriasis symptoms is by supporting the gut. Here are a few recommendations that have been shown to be gut supportive:

- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can be incredibly hard on the gut lining as well as our microbiome.

- Avoid antibiotics and NSAIDs. Both can really screw the gut up! -Supplement with digestive enzymes or HCL. These supplements can help breakdown your food to reduce irritation on the gut. Partially digested or undigested food can have a negative impact on the microbiome and the gut lining.

- Temporarily eliminate potential food irritants like dairy and gluten. You may find other foods lead to a reaction in the skin. Take note of which foods could be causing irritation and see if removing them helps.

- Eat fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir. Even supplementing with probiotics targeted towards gut health could be the support you need!

- Manage stress levels. Stress is a huge contributor to digestive dysfunction. Read our “Managing Rosacea Emotionally” section for stress management recommendations!

- Eat a diet that is rich in whole foods and low in sugar. It’s not only important to prioritize obtaining essential nutrients for optimal health, but a quality diet benefits gut health greatly.

- Regulate your circadian rhythm. Our internal clock has a huge influence on the quality of our ability to digest and assimilate what we consume. In order to keep this clock running properly, it is important to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Also, upon waking, exposing your eyes to sunlight and removing any blue light after sundown (at least 2 hours before bed) helps keep this rhythm in check.

Even though the cause of psoriasis is mostly internal, it is important to make sure you’re providing your skin with nutrients that will nourish, moisturize, and soothe the skin, especially during flare-ups.

Topicals that nourish and soothe the skin:

- Tallow is biologically compatible with the skin. Because of this, it can soothe and provide the exact nutrients needed for optimal healing. Tamanu is anti-inflammatory, helps with skin growth, and has calming properties to soothe irritation.

- Baobab oil helps heal the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture which helps with the healing process in addition to soothing irritation.

- Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, soothing, and skin regenerating benefits

-  Calendula soothes inflamed skin, helps reduce scarring, and is anti-inflammatory
- Frankincense has rejuvenating properties that naturally heal the skin while soothing irritation and providing moisture

Also, Vitamin D deficiency is a common trigger for psoriasis, so make sure you’re getting your daily dose of sunshine!

Stress is a common trigger for psoriasis flare-ups. Stress can also make the sensation of itching worse. Finding an effective stress management process that works for you can help reduce stress levels and in turn, potentially reduce flare-ups.

To benefit health overall, it can be helpful to intentionally keep stress at bay by utilizing stress-management techniques.
 
Some popular ways to manage stress include:

- Exercise: If you are looking for guidance or inspiration…one of the best apps out there for at home exercises is WeGLOW.

- Meditation: There are so many meditation tracks and podcasts out there. Check out the Podcast app and spotify t o see if any options resonate with you and give it a try. The best meditation routine is prioritizing at least 5 minutes a day in the morning to connect with yourself and shut out the noise from the world.

- Diaphragmatic breathing: This way of controlled breathing has been shown to cause physiological changes by lowering blood pressure and heart rate in addition to lowering levels of circulating stress hormones in the body. To start, sit or lay in a comfortable position while placing one hand on the heart and the other over the abdomen. Then you want to deeply inhale for 4 seconds through the nose towards your belly. You want the hand on your stomach to rise. Hold that breath for 4 seconds then slowly exhale completely for 6 seconds with pursed lips like you’re trying to blow out a candle. Repeat the cycle for 5-10 minutes.

 - Talk to a loved one: Sometimes we just need to let our thoughts out. When we keep challenging or negative thoughts in, they can build up and do more harm than good. Talking to someone can help you release stress. If you feel more comfortable writing your thoughts down, that can really benefit stress as well.