Psoriasis is often thought of as a contagious rash, and most
psoriasis sufferers are often judged by the appearance of their skin. What a lot of people don’t know is that
psoriasis is actually an autoimmune disease where a type of white blood cell
called a T cell mistakes healthy skin cells as a foreign invader and attacks
them. These overactive T-cells then
trigger other immune responses that increase the growth cycle of the skin
cells, causing them to move to the outermost layer of your skin in a matter of
days rather than weeks. These skin
cells then build up into thick patches because the dead skin cannot be removed
quickly enough. The skin may become so
inflamed that is cracks and bleeds. Up
to 30 percent of sufferers also develop psoriatic arthritis, which can cause
debilitating damage. Those who suffer
from psoriasis are also at a higher risk for other chronic diseases such as
type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. (Mercola)
One vitamin that is extremely important for managing
autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis, is vitamin D. If you have psoriasis, it is imperative that
you have your vitamin D levels tested and maintain levels in the therapeutic
range of 50-70 ng/ml year-round. Vitamin
D plays an important role in immune system regulation and is thought to effect
psoriasis on multiple levels, such as regulating skin cell growth and
differentiation, as well as influence the immune function of T lymphocytes and
other cells. It also inhibits cytotoxic
T cells and natural killer cell activity, potentially helping to regulate skin
cell growth. (Mercola)
Works Cited
Mercola, Dr. Mercola.
6 January 2015. 14 August 215
<http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/01/26/psoriasis-costs-billions.aspx>.
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