Vitamin D and Psoriasis: What Science Says
Vitamin D has become a popular solution for psoriasis sufferers looking for a more natural way to manage their symptoms. In this article, we'll explore the potential benefits of Vitamin D for psoriasis and what the scientific evidence says about its effectiveness.
The Role of Vitamin D in the Body
Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions. It helps the body absorb calcium, which is necessary for strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D also supports the immune system, helps regulate cell growth and differentiation, and may even play a role in preventing certain types of cancer. The body can produce vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight, but it can also be obtained through diet or supplements.
The Role of Vitamin D in Psoriasis
Vitamin D is an important vitamin that plays a key role in skin health. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for a range of bodily functions and processes. It helps the body absorb and use minerals like calcium and phosphate, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It also helps support the immune system and regulate cell growth.
Evidence is accumulating regarding the role of Vitamin D in our immune and inflammation mechanisms. Recent research has established a strong link between Vitamin D and psoriasis. Studies (Reference 2) have shown that Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for developing psoriasis. In addition, research suggests that Vitamin D may help alleviate the severity of psoriasis symptoms. However, this is still a controversial claim, with further studies required. Low levels of Vitamin D can also be caused by a poor diet, other conditions (such as IBS) and low expsosure to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency is also more common in older age and overweight individuals.
Another reason academics are suggesting Vitamin D supplementation is beneficial for psoriasis sufferers is cardiac health. Psoriasis unfortunately comes with certain health risk factors, including cardiac issues, and Vitamin D is good for heart health.
Low levels of Vitamin D have also been linked to obesity and being overweight. Studies have confirmed being overweight increases the risk of psoriasis and increases the severity of symptoms.
There are two types of Vitamin D- D2 + D3. Vitamin D2 is plant-based whilst Vitamin D3 is animal-based. The difference between the two is within their chain structure alone. Studies show that one is not superior to the other in terms of activation and absorption.
Studies on the Effectiveness of Vitamin D for Psoriasis Treatment
Research has found that Vitamin D supplementation reduces the severity of psoriasis symptoms. The patients in the study who received Vitamin D supplementation had a significant reduction in the number of psoriatic lesions. This suggests that Vitamin D may be able to reduce the severity of psoriasis symptoms. Vitamin D helps support the immune system, which is often impaired in psoriasis sufferers. This may go some way to explain this vitamin’s benefits for treating this skin condition.
Studies also indicate that those with psoriasis are more likely to suffer from a Vitamin D deficiency. However, one explanation for this could be that psoriasis patients tend to cover up more, and therefore get less sun exposure. More research is needed to establish if this is the case, or if there is something biologically different about psoriasis sufferers which leads to a deficiency.
Vitamin D has also been found to reduce inflammation in psoriasis. Inflammation plays an important role in psoriasis, as it is one of the main causes of the symptoms. Vitamin D is an anti-inflammatory, which means it can help reduce the inflammation associated with psoriasis.
In regards to Vitamin D via exposure to sunlight, this has been a popular psoriasis treatment since the 1980s. The effectiveness has been confirmed by several studies, and it is established the sun enables the body to produce its own vitamin D. However, given that sunlight exposure has issues of its own (skin damage, accessibility, and skin cancer risks), academics are beginning to study the effects of other sources of Vitamin D. Never go on a sunbed or overexpose yourself to the sun to increase Vitamin D levels. This can lead to sunburn, which often results in a flare-up. If you do want to increase Vitamin D levels via sunlight, speak to your doctor about light therapy.
Topical Vitamin D has been confirmed as a safe treatment, but its effectiveness is still questionable. Studies suggest that Vitamin D topical treatments have some benefits, particularly in children and the elderly. The benefits seem most pronounced when these topical treatments are combined with typical steroid treatment. Vitamin D slows the growth of new cells, which is why it may be beneficial for psoriasis sufferers.
While there is some evidence to suggest that vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial for psoriasis treatment, the research is still limited. A 2013 study found that Vitamin D supplementation improved psoriasis symptoms in some patients, but not all. Another study from 2017 found that vitamin D supplementation combined with traditional psoriasis treatments led to greater improvement in symptoms compared to traditional treatments alone. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of Vitamin D for psoriasis treatment.
If you suspect you are deficient in this vitamin, you should discuss this with your doctor who can confirm with tests and suggest suitable treatment. A Vitamin D deficiency is typically diagnosed via a blood test.
How to get Enough Vitamin D
It’s important for skin health for everyone to consume their recommended RDA of Vitamin D, and even more so if you suffer from psoriasis. 15-20mcg daily is considered optimal. Few foods contain Vitamin D, and these tend to be animal-based, posing an issue for those following the vegan lifestyle. Vitamin D2 is found in fruit and vegetables but only in very small amounts. Mushrooms are the best source. Vitamin D3 can be found in fish and eggs.
Sources of Vitamin D include:
Sunshine- Sunlight is considered one of the best treatments for psoriasis as it causes the natural production of vitamin D from your skin, thus helping treat psoriatic lesions. UVB wavelengths have been most effective for treating psoriasis, but monitoring exposure times is important so you don’t increase your risk for skin cancer. Sun exposure therapy is best done under medical supervision and guidance to ensure safe use. Common guidance from doctors is to limit your exposure to 15-30 minutes, depending on your skin type. Remember, sunburns not only increase your risk of skin cancer but can also lead to a psoriasis flare-up.
Egg Yolks- Egg yolks are a good source of Vitamin D. Try the Elimination Diet before adding them as a regular or more prominent part of your diet if you don’t currently consume a lot of eggs. Some psoriasis sufferers report a sensitivity to eggs, which can lead to a flare-up.
Supplements- Supplements are a convenient way of giving you peace of mind when it comes to hitting your RDA of various vitamins + minerals, including Vitamin D. Our Skin Support Supplement contains 100% of your recommended daily Vitamin D3.
Fatty Fish- Fatty fish contains the highest amount of Vitamin D3 of any animal product. Swordfish, salmon, and tuna are the top choices. Unlike other vitamins, Vitamin D levels are not affected by cooking.
Topical Vitamin D Treatments- Topical Vitamin D products can also be used to treat psoriatic lesions. They have no systemic side effects, meaning they won’t affect the rest of your skin, allowing a more targeted approach than that provided by oral preparations or sunlight exposure therapy. Some popular topical products include calcipotriene (Dovonex) ointment and cream and Tacalcitol ointment both being effective at relieving psoriatic plaques when applied regularly over extended periods of time. If you don’t observe any improvements after using these treatments for 4 weeks, go back to your doctor for a review. You may need to combine these with another topical treatment for optimal results.
Mushrooms- Mushrooms are the best natural source of Vitamin D2.
Eat a Diet Rich in Fruit + Vegetables- They contain vitamin D2, but only in small amounts. However, they are nutrient-dense, providing many other vitamins and antioxidants, and therefore should be a staple of a psoriasis-friendly diet.
Look for Fortified Vitamin D3 Products-You can purchase milk, orange juice, and cereal which is fortified with Vitamin D3. A review (Reference 4) that studied the impact of countries that have introduced these foods found that they have had a significant impact on the vitamin D levels of the population.
Cod Liver Oil- Cod liver oil provides the highest amount of Vitamin D of any food product at 1360 IU per serving. We recommend Muller’s Cod Liver Oil, which contains EPA, DHA, and vitamins A, D, and E. It is even apple-flavoured for those that struggle with the taste of cod liver oil!
Stick within recommended doses listed on labels- too much Vitamin D can pose a health risk. This is called hypervitaminosis D, where vitamin D levels build up to toxic levels. Typically, this is caused by taking too many supplements, rather than sunlight exposure or diet. Hypervitamonsis D can cause unpleasant symptoms such as fatigue and kidney issues. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect you are suffering from this.
It’s also important to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements or making significant changes to your diet. Your doctor can help you determine the best course of action for your individual needs and health status.
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1. Mattozzi C, Paolino G, Richetta AG, Calvieri S. Psoriasis, vitamin D and the importance of the cutaneous barrier's integrity: an update. J Dermatol. 2016
2. Barrea L, Savanelli MC, Di Somma C, Napolitano M, Megna M, Colao A, Savastano S. Vitamin D and its role in psoriasis: An overview of the dermatologist and nutritionist. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2017
3. Soleymani T, Hung T, Soung J. The role of vitamin D in psoriasis: a review. Int J Dermatol. 2015
4. Seamans KM, Cashman KD. Existing and potentially novel functional markers of vitamin D status: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;89(6):1997S–2008S.
