Dr. Kimberly Hindman
Naturopathic Physician ~ Licensed Acupuncturist
1820 SW Vermont, Suite C
Portland, OR 97219
(503) 784-1027
Psoriasis
Skin cells go through a normal cycle of cell division, maturation, and death, and a normal
cycle results in skin cell turnover about every 28 days. In psoriasis, the skin cells have
extremely high rate of cellular division (1000 times greater than normal cycle). This
increased rate of cell division is due to an imbalance in the cells of two chemicals: cyclic
guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). These
chemicals act as messengers within the cell, regulating metabolic processes and the effects of
hormones, and have an antagonistic relationship with each other. In psoriasis, cGMP is
increased and cAMP is decreased in the skin cells. Increased levels of cGMP stimulate the
cell reproduction and decreased levels of cAMP increase histamine release, causing itching.
Treatment for psoriasis should focus on rebalancing the levels of cGMP and cAMP in the
body. As with many skin conditions, it is important to treat the digestive tract, as it is the
source of many skin disorders. In patients with psoriasis, proteins are often digested
incompletely due to low stomach acid. Low stomach acid reduces the amount of protein
breakdown in the stomach and decreases the activation of digestive enzymes produced by the
pancreas. When proteins are completely digested, the residual amino acids and proteins are
metabolized by bacteria in the intestines into toxic products. These toxic products increase
cGMP and prevent the formation of cAMP, and the production of these toxic products is
increased with strep infections and Candida overgrowth in the intestines. This aspect of
psoriasis can be addressed with:
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vitamin A and Berberis to block the conversion of proteins into toxic products and to
kill pathogenic bacteria;
probiotics to rebalance the beneficial bacteria in the intestines;
fiber to absorb any toxic products and prevent their re-absorption in the intestines;
Eliminating exposure to food allergies/sensitivities to decrease intestinal
inflammation and production of toxic products; and
hydrochloric acid or apple cider vinegar to improve protein digestion.
The liver needs to detoxify these by-products so a liver overburdened by alcohol, stress, food
sensitivities, and intestinal bacteria imbalances will have a harder time efficiently
detoxifying. Therefore, liver support should be part of the treatment plan. Many patients
with psoriasis also respond well to high levels of omega-3 essential fatty acid
supplementation, as it reduces inflammation, and supports the production of normal skin oils.
Other specific treatments to consider include:
 Chromium. Patients with psoriasis may also have increased glucose and/or insulin,
and chromium helps insulin receptor site sensitivity.
 Selenium and vitamin E. These are needed to produce the antioxidant glutathione,
which may be low in patients with psoriasis. cGMP is increased by free radicals, and
blocked by antioxidants.
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Active vitamin D. Vitamin D can be used to control cellular division, although it
doesn’t address the underlying cGMP/cAMP imbalance causing the rapid cell
division.
Stress reduction. Stress is often associated with flare ups, and reduces the beneficial
intestinal bacteria, and is often associated with poorer eating habits.
Topical treatments. Topicals, including licorice, chamomile, calendula, and capsaicin
(if pain with itching), can be used for symptom relief and to encourage healing.
Levels of cGMP are also specifically increased by Ginseng, vitamin C, biotin, beta blockers,
lithium, and NSAIDs, and decreased by cysteine and Momardica charantia. However,
vitamin C may still provide benefit because it also decreases histamine and itching. Levels
of cAMP are also specifically increased by GLA (such as evening primrose oil or borage oil),
bioflavinoids, and the herbs Arctium lappa, Ginkgo, Licorice, Coleus forskolii, and Zizufus
jujube.