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Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a diverse form of skin disease that may appear in a variety of forms, each with their distinct characteristics. In some sufferers, it can change from one form to another.
Symptoms of Psoriasis Psoriasis begins most often in people aged between 10 and 40, although people in all age groups are susceptible. It usually starts with a small patch on the scalp, elbows, knees, backs or buttocks. These patches may clear up after a few months, or may remain to grow into larger patches. Some people never have more than one or two small patches, while others may have patches covering large areas of the body. Depending on where the patches form, they may itch or hurt and cause embarrassment. Psoriasis could be a lifelong, non-contagious skin disease. There are many forms of psoriasis. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white build-up of dead skin cells that look like and are called "scales". Inverse psoriasis are mostly found under the armpits, groins, under breasts and in other skin fold areas. The lesions are very red and appear smooth and shiny, unlike plaque psoriasis. Erythrodermic psoriasis causes the skin to become red and scaly. The lesions are like a burn, keeping the skin from serving as a protective barrier against injury and infection. Pustular psoriasis has lesions that are large and small with pus-filled blisters (pustules) commonly forming on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Occasionally they are also scattered all over the body.
Causes of Psoriasis Psoriasis occurs because of an abnormally high rate of skin cells growth. The reason for the rapid cell growth is thought to be a problem with the body's immune system and the toxicity in the blood. Lesions may flare up for no apparent reason, often resulting from conditions that irritate the skin, such as from consuming or inhaling an allergen, severe sunburn, or following infections such as a flu. When exposed to bright sunlight (during summer), some symptoms may diminish. Whereas during the cold weather (or winter), flare ups are very common. Some drugs may also cause flare ups. A number of other factors are also thought to cause or contribute to psoriasis, including excessive stress, excess copper and keratin, incomplete protein digestion, bowel toxemia, impaired liver function, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and excessive consumption of animal fats. Many people with psoriasis have deformed, thickened, pitted nails.
Diet/Lifestyle Suggestions We now know that excessive toxins in our blood stream that cannot be properly filtered by a poor liver and kidney, will try to escape through the skin, causing skin disorder and disruptions like psoriasis. Skin ailments are warning signs that the body is not getting rid of toxins as it should. Psoriasis is said to be a life-long disease, but I believe that a total change in your dietary and lifestyle may make it short-lived. Limit the consumption of sugar, animal products, i.e. fats and dairy products as they contain a certain arachidonic acid found only in animal tissues that are especially toxic for chronic psoriasis sufferers. Also eliminate tobacco and alcohol entirely as they can increase the absorption of toxins from the gut that stimulates psoriasis. Studies have shown that fish oils can help prevent and relieve the symptoms of psoriasis. Increasing your intake of cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring and halibut can significantly alleviate symptoms, particularly itching, within eight weeks. If these fish are not easily available, try taking fish oil capsules. Cut down on omega-6 type vegetable oils, such as corn, sunflower and safflower oils and margarines and shortenings made from these products. Avoiding sources of gluten, such as wheat can also help in reducing the problem. Learn to love the rich benefits of plant produce that are "orangest" and "greenest". A diet that is high in fiber, and high in mineral diet with lots of vegetable protein can help flush out the toxins. The orange and green juices are especially beneficial in these circumstances. Drink lots and lots of water that will help the cleansing process. Acidophilus, as yoghurt, powder, liquid or capsules help maintain a healthy intestinal terrain. Grandma's tip: Rub a slice of potato on the skin to soothe skin itchiness.
There are many plant produce that are helpful for this skin condition. When you are not drinking juices, include them in your meals. Choose the greenest and orangest that you can find. But generally, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. You can't go wrong. Other suggestions: Broccoli, kale, orange capsicum, dark green lettuces, collard greens, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, bean sprouts, etc.
Dedicate yourself to drink at least one 8-oz glass of carrot juice everyday (on an empty stomach). The rich beta-carotene in carrots are especially helpful for detoxifying the liver and kidneys. When combined with spinach juice, they make an excellent help in cleansing the blood of impurities, with their superb repairing, healing and nourishing virtues. Juice a medium-sized carrot with a bunch of spinach. Drink regularly.
The berries sisters are a rich source of vitamin C. They make powerful anti-oxidant especially for those with high toxicity in the blood. They are also effective in building up the body's immune system. Juice a handful of each type of berries and add in one grapefruit or two oranges to balance off the strong berry taste.
This combination of red juice is rich in beta-carotene and is extremely cleansing. When you consume beta-carotene, be sure that you do not drink alcohol or smoke, at least four hours before and after as this would wipe out the effectiveness of its healing virtues. Drink as much watermelon juice as you like, including a quarter to half medium-sized beets in your juicing every once in a while. If the beet has its greens still attached, throw them into your juicer as well for its extra rich minerals. Add spirulina or chlorella powder to your juices, whenever possible.
These two fruits are the other rich sources of vitamin C. Add a variety to your juicing experiment. Juice papaya only if you have a single-gear juicer, then juice guava and mix it with the papaya, stir the juices and drink. Alternatively, if you are using a centrifugal juicer, juice your guava first. Then pour the guava juice into the blender and blend together with the papaya. Be sure you cut the guava
into smaller pieces than you would other fruits as it is hard. You
don't want to break your juicer.
I call these two the super-greens for their long list of goodness, that come from their combination of their myriad valuable nutrients that make them the most healing and nourishing foods. This green drink may not be easy to drink if you are a beginner. You may dilute them with some pure drinking water and fresh honey to drown the green taste.
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