Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I've been paleo for about 8 or 9 months. During that time I have developed psoriasis on my elbows, knees and he back of my legs. I've tried low carb, moderate carb, supplements, I cut dairy for 3 months, eggs for a month, I eat plenty of fats and offal, Am careful about vegetable oil or gluten contamination, my vitamin D levels are in the 60s at my last blood test, and I use nothing but Dr. Bronners unscented baby soap and coconut oil on my skin. (and I used those things pre-paleo without issue.

Other than those areas my skin looks great without dryness, oiliness wrinkles or acne.

Any natural cures? Dietary changes? Is there a possible deficiency or glandular issue related? I refuse to use topical steroids, though they've been offered because I'm breastfeeding.

I don't think it was paleo that caused it but I didn't have psoriasis before. I did however have high CRP at my last blood test (which was about 4 months ago) low hdl, and I've had some joint stiffness in the past 6 months. My doctor hasn't figured out what that's about but we are doing a thyroid panel And rechecking my cholesterol and CRP this week. Just mentioning this stuff in case it is related. I'm 27 years old and a new cosleeping/breastfeeding mom so I don't get optimal Sleep at night but I do nap.

edited Sep 19 2011 at 14:06

asked Sep 19 2011 at 4:00

Aughra
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Blkbell · Answer 1 · 2011-09-19 04:23:16Z UTC

I know that with autoimmune things pregnancy can bring them out. I have Psoriatic Arthritis and with you having the joint pain, skin symptoms and high inflamation levels you might too. Make sure you see a Rheumatologist for a concrete diagnosis. I was on Humira injections for over 1 1/2 years because of my symptoms and it did help but the medications for this are all horibble. They can cause cancers, MS, organ failure. It got to the point that I was so scared I quit all medications. I only use a small amount of steriod cream with skin symptoms and manage everything else with ibuprofen and paleo. I went paleo about 3 months ago and my joint pain left. I recently went on vacation and didnt eat paleo and all my symptoms have come back. Im trying to get back under control now. I know that nightshade vegetables/fruits, eggs, grains, and dairy cause inflamation to skyrocket in the body. Stay away from those at all costs. Good luck!

romesaz · Answer 2 · 2011-09-19 14:25:29Z UTC

I found that fish oil, tanning salons, Zinc, and cutting out gluten/dairy has helped me.

I had some kefir and home made pickles, and found the fermented stuff sometimes helps with gut flora and thus psoriasis. Also some naturally cured/fermented summer sausage was good due to the bacteria.

I'm currently trying to get rid of eggs and nuts for a month, but it's difficult to do. I had a high amount of nuts this weekend cause it was the easiest thing to 'sneak' into a baseball stadium, and thus avoid the junk food there. So I'm nervously anticipating how my body will react.

I'm also finding that I'd rather not IF during this time, since it could cause stress to the body, which I find also causes psoriasis flare ups.

Plenty of sleep, and otherwise clean food.

Simon · Answer 3 · 2011-09-19 15:05:55Z UTC

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Have you taken an antibiotic recently?

Or anytime within the last 8 months?

I am curious as to how you developed psoriasis and arthritis as you started eating paleo. I wonder if you may have done something to set off an imbalance of intestinal flora.

You also mentioned that you don't get good sleep; this could definitely aggravate your condition.

I'm in the process of recovering from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis through paleo.

answered Sep 19 2011 at 15:05

Simon
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	Yeah I was put on a shit ton of antibiotics during my son's birth 9 mnonths ago. – Aughra Sep 19 2011 at 16:37
	Hi BeingVenus. I would consider your heavy antibiotic use as a very possible starting point for your symptoms. But there is good news- if you've only starting having symptoms 8 months ago, I think it is much easier for you to recover if you take the proper procedures. I've just started getting serious about Dr.Campbell Mcbride's GAPS diet; along with Robb Wolf's recommendations to avoid eggs and nightshades for people who are autoimmune. Thank God that you caught it early. I hope you will recover asap! – Simon Sep 19 2011 at 18:38

Dragonfly · Answer 4 · 2011-09-19 05:27:30Z UTC

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You may want to up your D, preferably through sunlight (if you can get outside, that is!)

Dr. Kruse has some good thoughts here: http://jackkruse.com/the-sunshine-of-your-life/

answered Sep 19 2011 at 5:27

Dragonfly
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Do you think a little light tanning at a tanning salon would help? I live in New England and its already getting to be kind of low Light again. – Aughra Sep 19 2011 at 10:15

Oh, yeah--I forgot where you live, sorry! I don't know about the beds, actually--just that you would want more UVB rays. Ask Dr. Kruse? – Dragonfly Sep 19 2011 at 14:01

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I would definitely go tanning! I usually do 7-9 minutes on a "high" setting, but that all varies depending on your salon. Start low, 5 minutes or so, and work your way up. With fall/winter coming, I'm starting to go about once per week for 8 minutes. On top of that I do daily 4-6,000IUs of D3 – romesaz Sep 19 2011 at 21:16

majkinetor · Answer 5 · 2011-09-19 08:09:44Z UTC

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Some people say very high amounts of fish oil help (5g DHA/EPA per day).

Vitamin D is also used, try topically.

answered Sep 19 2011 at 8:09

majkinetor

Ben · Answer 6 · 2011-09-19 14:15:20Z UTC

I'm able to keep my under control with strict moderate carb paleo, plenty of olive oil, fish oil, 5,000 IU's a day of D, and keeping my yeast levels in check. Gluten and yeast (specifically) cause mine to flare up, and it can take a couple of weeks after one "cheat" to clear up. With that said, are you pretty strict? Sometimes it can be one little thing that causes a flare up, and it takes a while to go away.

Pieter D · Answer 7 · 2011-09-19 19:46:13Z UTC

BeingVenus, a relevant paleohacks question here.

My personal experience: sunlight (probably more than vitamin D alone) is the only constant factor that improves the psoriasis

Still not sure, but probable influence of eggs, dairy and almost certainly tomatoes, maybe all nightshades.

Possible positive effects of fish-oil, prebiotics.

Negative influence: having a cold

Please keep us updated if you have positive experiences (or negative, for that matter)

Marianska · Answer 8 · 2011-11-09 12:15:56Z UTC

I am 62 years old and I've only been doing the Paleo diet for two months. However, even prior to going Paleo I solved a long-standing psoriasis problem (of 15-20 years) two years ago by a sustained exposure to sunlight when I retired and went on vacation in Thailand for a month (lying around on a beach in a bikini daily for week at the end of our travels, taking care not to burn). Since then, I've been on at least one tropical vacation per year and I also take between 3000 and 5000 IU of vitamin D per day, every day. The psoriasis disappeared totally (2 years ago) and has never returned. Plus I expose myself as much as I can (30 minutes toasted on each side, front and back) on sunny days before winter sets in. Hope this helps.

Kikilula · Answer 9 · 2011-09-19 05:05:58Z UTC

Do you eat your meat nose-to-tail? Do you get enough of the skins and cartilage? Do you eat offal?

Have you tried cutting porc? I'm a bit allergic to it...

You may also add red palm oil. It contains squalene which makes your skin even softer.

http://books.google.de/books?id=C0_C4-ev-xcC&pg=PA65&lpg=PA65&dq=squalene+red+palm+oil+skin&source=bl&ots=Hy8cK7PxhR&sig=Q6C1AJZNCPTEVkJlcPqeuU13Y2Q&hl=de&ei=d812Ts5jxfiyBuiZ8MsL&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CF8Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=squalene%20red%20palm%20oil%20skin&f=false

Carly · Answer 10 · 2011-11-09 12:24:27Z UTC

I have posted this answer on another question to but same applies so -

I have scalp psoriasis and have just found this http://www.proz92.com/psoriasis/testimonials/ it's a bit pricey but actually seems to be working! It claims to CURE the psoriasis (and other skin conditions) not just treat the symptoms, so far so good, I shall keep you informed. Check the website out though, this seems like the real deal. Good luck.

Does anyone have any hacks for Psoriasis?

10 Answers