Are any oils or fats really good for psoriasis? If yes, then how do we use them - internally or topically?

From the dietary point of view, our body needs all types of natural fat. But do we get enough of each? And maybe we get too much of some?

All fat (including fat in oils) has two main subcategories - unsaturated and saturated fat.

SATURATED FAT

Rich in saturated fat are: animal fats, coconut and palm kernel oils.

Saturated fat is needed for the integrity of our cellular membranes, it plays a major role in the calcium incorporation into our bones, and it protects the liver from various toxins.

The only problem is - in our everyday diet we get more saturated fats than we need. Too much of saturated fat serves us as a fifth wheel - there is no benefit in it at all.

Therefore there is no need to raise your dietary intake of the saturated fats in order to improve your psoriasis.

However, the topical application of the saturated fats - i.e. the Coconut oil, which consist of about 90% saturated fat - is reported to be very beneficial for psoriasis. Mainly due to its high saturated fat content, Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer and softener for psoriasis.

UNSATURATED FAT

There are 3 main unsaturated fats: Omega-3 unsaturated essential fatty acid, Omega-6 unsaturated essential fatty acid and Omega-9 unsaturated non-essential fatty acid.

Essential in the case of fats means that our body can not produce such fat itself, and therefore it has to be obtained from a diet. Non-essential means that our body can produce such fat on its own.

OMEGA-9 FATS

Omega-9 is also essential for various functions in our bodies, including the overall body cell health. Do we get enough of Omega-9 with our diets? Yes, actually more than enough: with canola oil, olive oil, and many other cooking oils.

Do we need more of Omega-9 in our diet in order to improve our psoriasis? I doubt it. Remember the fifth wheel?

Is the topical application of Omega-9 beneficial for psoriasis?

Omega-9 - for example in Olive oil - decreases the scaling of the skin, which is very beneficial for psoriasis.

Omega-9 - in Castor oil - penetrates deep into the skin, moisturizes it and reduces the skin inflammation, which is also very beneficial for psoriasis.

OMEGA-6 FATS

Omega-6 is also vital for our bodies: it improves the blood properties, it is important for the good health of cell membranes and for a proper cellular metabolism.

The richest in Omega-6 are evening primrose oil, grape seed oil, palm, soybean, rapeseed and sunflower oils, as well as eggs, nuts and many other foods.

We also tend to get more than enough of this vital fat in our diets.

What about topical Omega-6 application for psoriasis?

Omega-6 (i.e. in the evening primrose oil or the sunflower oil) helps to coat the skin and helps the skin to stay well moisturized. It also helps to somewhat accelerate the healing of the damaged skin.

OMEGA-3 FATS

The richest in Omega-3 are fatty Fish oil and Cod liver oil.

Omega-3 is the only fat that we do not get enough of in our diets!

Both topically and internally Omega-3 fatty acid helps to treat the skin inflammation and dryness, associated with psoriasis.

CONCLUSION:

We get enough of each fat, except for the Omega-3 in our diets. Omega-3 is very beneficial for psoriasis and therefore adding it into the diet in a form of fish oil or a cod liver oil supplement could really improve the state of psoriasis.

Topically various fats and oils work different for different people with psoriasis. Try it for yourself and maybe one of the fats or oils will work wonders for your topical psoriasis maintenance.