A study in the British Journal of Dermatology found that many of their patients with psoriasis had a significant zinc deficiency. Zinc is important for its antioxidant benefits that are essential for healthy skin. I’m going to take a look at why zinc is good for your skin and what steps you can take if you think you have a zinc deficiency.
As mentioned, zinc is essential for good skin health due to its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are very important in protecting the body from free radicals, which are small chemical molecules that convert food into energy. However, when these free radicals get out of control, they can attack the body, damage our cells, and possibly cause premature aging, heart disease, and skin conditions. Hence, it is important to follow a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, E and zinc in order to keep free radicals in check.
How do you get zinc deficiency?
Zinc deficiency seems to be one of the prospects of the modern age when our diet and lifestyles have changed dramatically. Unfortunately, lower levels of zinc are now found in the soil which reduces the levels in our food. Our highly processed and refined foods and our excessive consumption of sugar and carbohydrates contribute to low levels of zinc in our diet. Vegetarians, in particular, can be at risk of a zinc deficiency because meat is the main source of zinc. Our zinc levels can be depleted not only by diet but also by increased levels of stress.
How do you know if you are deficient in zinc?
Signs of zinc deficiency vary from person to person. However, there are some common symptoms to look out for. These include dandruff, poor wound healing, sleep disturbances, diarrhea, hair loss, loss of libido, dry skin, skin rashes, and decreased fertility. If you have psoriasis and complain of any of the other suspected symptoms, you likely have a zinc deficiency. To find out whether or not you are deficient in zinc, it is important to consult your doctor or nutritionist.
What research has been done on zinc?
A recent study showed that the use of zinc sulfate cream was effective in treating psoriasis and led to complete remission in a high percentage of cases. Another study showed that topical zinc pyrithione (an active ingredient in the main anti-dandruff shampoo) was highly effective in treating psoriasis. Although there is not a great deal of research, completed studies conclude that zinc can help treat psoriasis.
How do you treat zinc deficiency?
First of all, do you eat a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates such as white rice, pasta, bread, cake and cookies? If yes, then you need to consider alternative options such as wholemeal bread and brown rice and avoid sugary foods. Great sources of zinc are oysters, pork, chicken, beef, lamb, chickpeas, baked beans, pumpkin seeds, and cheese. Unfortunately, even if you eat a high level of zinc, your body actually absorbs only a small percentage, especially from non-meat sources. If you have psoriasis and especially if you are a vegetarian, it is beneficial to take a zinc supplement.
Treating psoriasis with zinc
Aside from changing your diet and adding supplements, there are other ways to take zinc for psoriasis. One way is to use creams that contain zinc, for example DermaZinc cream. DermaZinc is effective in treating red, flaky, itchy, and scaly skin associated with mild to moderate psoriasis. Another clinically proven, FDA-approved product is the Skin Zinc System, which consists of a cream and spray.
The good news is that if you think a zinc deficiency may be the cause of your psoriasis, there is something you can do about it: improve your diet, reduce stress, take supplements, and use creams that contain zinc.