Enzymes for the Treatment of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the United States, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). The chronic, inflammatory, non-contagious skin disease affects 1 person in 50.

Poor Performance

Dr. Earl Mindell, on the Dermaharmony website, says poorly performing digestive enzymes in the stomach may create problems in the intestines and increase stress on the immune system. This creates psoriasis flareups.

Faulty Signals

Psoriasis appears when the body's immune system sends faulty signals to skin cells and they reproduce quicker than healthy cells, says the NPF.

Polyamines

Lisa LeVan, author of "The Psoriasis Cure," says when enzymes do not digest protein properly, bacteria in the bowel can turn them into toxic compounds called polyamines.

Metabolism

LeVan says psoriasis patients may have increased levels of polyamines. Polyamines also stop the body from making cyclic AMP, a cell-metabolism regulator, she says.

Enzyme Choice

LeVan recommends psoriasis patients take over-the-counter enzymes to aid digestion. She suggests pancreatic protease to break down protein, lipase to break down fats, alpha-amylase and amylglucosidase for carbohydrates, cellulase and hemicellulase for fiber and lactase for milk sugar.

References

• National Psoriasis Foundation statistics
• Dermaharmony, Dr. Earl Mindell
• National Psoriasis Foundation, immune system

Resources

• The Psoriasis Cure, Lisa LeVan, Avery, 1999
• Archives of Dermatology, polyamines and psoriasis