Psoriasis and Gut Health: The Connection Modern Medicine Often Overlooks

Healthy gut, Healthier skin — Healing Psoriasis from Within 

Many people consider psoriasis only a skin disease. But the problem originates from the gut itself. Many people with psoriasis also experience digestive problems, including bloating, constipation, acidity, and irregular bowel habits. This indicates that there is a strong relationship between the gut and the skin. Ayurveda has always placed great emphasis on digestion and on maintaining balance in the body when dealing with chronic skin diseases. Instead of only worrying about suppressing skin symptoms with steroids, it's better to manage the digestion process, the metabolism, and the overall well-being with the holistic treatment approach that will provide much better management of psoriasis. 

Psoriasis Is More Than a Skin Disease 

Psoriasis was previously thought to just be a skin disorder because it manifests as red, scaly and itchy lesions of the skin; however, psoriasis is now recognized as a chronic inflammatory disorder with an immune basis that can affect the health of a person overall. The immune system of a person with psoriasis is overactive, and excess amounts of skin cells are produced, resulting in lesions that have thickened and inflamed skin.

Many people with psoriasis have added symptoms of fatigue, stress and joint pain, as well as gastrointestinal problems and sleep difficulties. There has been a deeper focus by researchers and health care providers on the "why" of psoriasis to discover the root causes of the condition.

One important area of study is gut health. The gut plays a major role in the immune system and inflammation, so when the gut is not functioning well, or the balance of the gut is thrown off by things such as poor diet, stress, irregular eating patterns, infections, or other lifestyle behaviours, then inflammation in the entire body will most likely occur.

Many people with psoriasis also experience bloating, constipation, acidity and heaviness in their stomach after eating, which leads researchers to believe there may also be a gut-skin connection, which is already described in Ayurveda thousands of years ago; therefore, an effective treatment protocol for psoriasis should focus on more than just the skin; it should take into account healthy digestion, healthy immune function, stress management and overall well-being.

You may have observed how flare-ups of your skin come following a period of bad digestion, high stress levels, unhealthy food choices, or a disordered lifestyle. 

This isn't random!!!

The connection between the gut and the skin is becoming more and more evident these days, as there is an inclination towards poor diet, irregular meal timings and Viruddha Aahara (incompatible diet) intake. The gastrointestinal tract is home to trillions of microorganisms, all of which play an essential role in healthy digestion, regulating the immune system, nutrient absorption, and inflammation. When the gut is healthy and balanced, the body is better able to manage inflammation and keep the skin healthy. When the balance in the gut is disrupted by poor dietary choices, stress, infection, poor sleep patterns, too many medications, or negative lifestyle habits, there can be an internal inflammatory response within the body that we can see through our skin.

This type of inflammatory imbalance can lead to the following skin symptoms:

• Psoriasis flare-ups

• Acne and eczema

• Dry, itchy skin

• Red, sensitive skin

Note: The gut-skin axis sends us an impactful message that healthy digestion leads to healthy skin. Therefore, taking a holistic approach to managing long-term psoriasis (developing healthy eating and digestion habits, managing stress, sleeping well, and adopting positive lifestyles) is essential.

Ayurvedic Understanding of Psoriasis 

According to Ayurveda, Kustha Roga is a general term to refer to all kinds of skin-related conditions. The three doshas that vitiate Psoriasis are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, with Rakta, Mamsa, and Lasika being the tissues involved. In Ayurveda, instead of viewing psoriasis strictly as a skin issue, it is seen as a systemic illness caused by improper digestion, toxin accumulation, improper metabolism, and not having the healthiest of lifestyles.

One of the major causes of psoriasis, according to the guidelines in Ayurveda, is called 'Viruddha Ahara' (incompatible foods). Frequent use of incompatible foods, excessive use of curds, fermented, junk, leftover/reheated, or over-consumed food; irregular/evenly spaced meals; and overly processed foods will create disturbances to one's Agni (digestion), which will build up Ama (metabolic toxins). The impact of modern dietary styles, such as packaged foods (preserved with chemicals), artificial colors/flavours, food additives, fast foods, and highly processed foods, also adds further burden to the digestive process, which can promote the creation of chronic inflammatory conditions.

In order to explain chronic skin disorders, Ayurveda uses the concept of Dushi Visha, which states that low levels of toxins build up in the body over a long period of time. Exposure to such items as chemicals, pesticides, preservatives, spoiled foods, too many medications, and an unhealthy lifestyle may also be considered hidden toxins that continuously create inflammation and immune system disturbance.

Dietary Approaches That May Help 

Following a healthy, balanced diet rich in gut-friendly foods can support overall health and reduce inflammation that often accompanies psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases. According to Ayurveda, one should consume meals that are prepared freshly, light, and easy to digest; this will promote healthy digestion and metabolism. Eating seasonal fruits, cooked vegetables, and whole grains; drinking enough water; and eating fiber-filled foods might benefit your gut health and bowel regularity. Natural spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, and ginger are also considered beneficial to digestion. Additionally, it is important to eat meals at the same time every day, not eat too much at one time, and limit processed and packaged foods in your diet. Small changes to your diet and lifestyle that you practise regularly can potentially help you have better digestion, decrease any internal imbalance, and assist with having healthier skin on its own.

Classical Ayurvedic Management for Psoriasis 

In Ayurveda, psoriasis is treated by managing the condition as a whole and addressing the root cause of psoriasis. This is in contrast to treating the psoriasis by trying to temporarily suppress the lesions on the skin. Psoriasis is classified as a Kustha Roga that results from an imbalance of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and vitiation of Rakta, Mamsa, and Lasika; therefore, the focus for treatment is to restore the internal balance, improve digestion, do Ama pachana, and support healthy tissue function.

The first phase of treatment usually involves restoring the digestion or Agni (digestive fire) through Deepana-Pachana therapy. By establishing proper digestion and metabolism, the body's ability to create ‘Ama’ (toxins) is also decreased, which is believed to be one of the root causes of chronic inflammatory diseases. Additionally, dietary changes and elimination of Viruddha Ahara (incompatible foods) are highly encouraged.

Once the patient has restored their digestion and is ready to move forward with further treatment, Shodhana Chikitsa (purification treatments) can be used, based on the patient's strength, disease stage and doshic composition, and Panchakarma therapies can also be used for treatment. Virechana is considered one of the most effective methods for managing psoriasis, as it helps eliminate aggravated Pitta from the body and detoxifies the body. In select cases, Raktashodhana (blood purification) therapies can also be utilized to help detoxify the body.

Medicated oils, herbal pastes, Takradhara, Abhyanga, or soothing topical preparations, as well as other therapies that may be helpful in reducing dry skin, scaling, itchiness and discomfort caused by psoriasis, are all factors that can affect psoriatic patients. Since it is common for psoriasis to be aggravated by stress, Ayurveda stresses the importance of mental wellness and getting enough sleep, managing stress appropriately, participating in yoga, meditating, and focusing on lifestyle regulation, among other things.

Herbal medicinal preparations are chosen individually based upon the person's constitution (Prakriti), capacity to digest, accompanying symptoms, and severity of disease. 

Note: Ayurveda does not have a "one size fits all" approach to treatment; rather, Ayurveda emphasises individualised care to reduce recurrences, increase immunity and digestion, supporting gut health, reducing inflammation, and improving a person's overall health and well-being naturally.

The Overlooked Gut-Skin Connection: A Holistic Perspective by Yukti Herbs 

Psoriasis is not just a superficial skin disorder but a manifestation of an imbalance within the body involving digestion, immunity, metabolism, lifestyle, and mental health. While many conventional treatments tend to address only symptoms associated with the surface of the skin, there are many other important factors to consider, including gut health, the nutritional value of diet, toxin build-up in the body, stress levels, and overall systemic inflammation.

Ayurveda has understood this deeper connection between psoriasis and the internal state of the body (Agni, Ama, Viruddha Ahara, Dushi Visha, and Kustha Chikitsa) for thousands of years. In addition, Ayurveda recognizes that in order to manage any chronic disease of the skin effectively, the internal environment of the body must be addressed and treated. Digestive dysfunction, poor eating habits, processed foods, preservatives, stress, and poor lifestyle practices may result in prolonged inflammation and repeated episodes of active psoriasis.

This is where a holistic approach to treatment becomes necessary, one that focuses on improving the internal environment of the body through digestion, nutrition, detoxification, management of stress, healthy gut bacteria, and modification of lifestyle habits while providing topical treatment to the skin's surface. Ayurveda's goal is to achieve balance from the inside out, rather than simply suppressing the disease topically.

With a better understanding of the correlation between the gut and the skin, patients may better manage their psoriasis naturally and develop a more sustainable and long-term treatment plan that will improve their overall health and quality of life.