Bowel Health and Psoriasis

Even though there are many natural products that ease the symptoms of psoriasis, any program of natural skin care works better if you maintain good digestive health.

People who have psoriasis tend to have high bloodstream concentrations of the stress hormone cortisol. That’s in part due to the fact that psoriasis itself is stressful. The itch, inflammation, and aggravation of this chronic skin condition causes a great deal of stress.

High cortisol levels can also occur, however, when cortisol doesn’t break down.

The liver constantly removes excess cortisol from the bloodstream. It sends the byproducts of cortisol into the large intestine in the cholesterol-rich, greenish-yellow fluid known as bile. In the absence of constipation, the excess cortisol is flushed away with other waste products.

When there is constipation, however, bile lingers in the large intestine. It irritates and inflames the lining of the colon causing the body to produce more stress hormones. Constipation can contribute to a vicious cycle of ever-increasing stress hormone production until eventually the adrenals burn out.At that point there may be fewer fluctuations in the severity of psoriasis, but the body also has fewer ways to deal with infection.

How can you avoid constipation?

First of all, make sure you are taking prescription drugs that are constipating. The list of medications that block the bowels includes any drug for pain that contains codeine or hydrocodone (such as Vicodin), antidepressants, antacids that contain aluminum, iron supplements, and most drugs for Parkinson’s disease.

Changing medication can relieve constipation and indirectly help psoriasis.

Next on the list of effective interventions for constipation is making sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Water makes stool easier to pass. Make sure you drink enough water is more important than any other change to your diet.

Getting enough fiber, however, can help a great deal.

Fiber from fruits and vegetables is always best. Why? Fruits and vegetables contain fiber in small doses. They have enough fiber to help you stay regular but not so much fiber as to cause bloating at least if you don’t overdo beans and prunes.

Fiber supplements are also help, but it’s important to start with the smallest possible dose. Slowly increasing dosage helps you avoid problems with bloating and gas.

And there are also other natural products you can use to control your symptoms.