Psoriasis

Gabriel treats psoriasis as systemic autoimmune-inflammatory condition, not just skin disease.

Root Causes

1 identified

Supplements

1 recommended

Lab Markers

1 to test

Treatments

4 modalities

Gabriel's Approach

Gabriel treats psoriasis as systemic autoimmune-inflammatory condition, not just skin disease. Skin is reflection of internal dysfunction—gut, immune, inflammation. Topicals alone inadequate. Protocol: 1) Heal gut (eliminate leaky gut, dysbiosis—reduces immune activation), 2) Identify food triggers (AIP diet—gluten, dairy, nightshades major culprits), 3) Treat infections (strep, Candida, gut pathogens), 4) Reduce inflammation (omega-3, curcumin, vitamin D), 5) Immune modulation (calm overactive T-cells—LDN, vitamin D, omega-3), 6) Optimize nutrients (vitamin D CRITICAL, omega-3, zinc), 7) Stress management (major trigger), 8) Topical support (secondary to internal healing). Goal: achieve remission or significant improvement (many patients clear completely with proper protocol—avoid biologics if possible, $20,000-60,000/year, immunosuppression).

Root Causes

Autoimmune condition (T-cells attack skin cells—hyperproliferation of keratinocytes), chronic inflammation (cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-17, IL-23 drive skin cell turnover), genetic susceptibility (HLA-Cw6, other genes—but environment triggers), gut dysfunction (leaky gut, dysbiosis—70% immune in gut drives autoimmunity), infections (strep throat common trigger—molecular mimicry, Candida overgrowth), food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, nightshades common), environmental triggers (stress, alcohol, smoking, medications, skin trauma), metabolic dysfunction (obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome—inflammatory), vitamin D deficiency (immune modulation, skin cell growth), nutrient deficiencies (omega-3, zinc, selenium)

Why Conventional Fails

Standard Treatment

Topical treatments: Corticosteroids (most common—various strengths, short-term), Vitamin D analogs (calcipotriene/Dovonex—regulates skin cell growth), Topical retinoids (tazarotene), Calcineurin inhibitors (Protopic, Elidel—for sensitive areas), Coal tar (old treatment—smelly but effective), Anthralin (Dritho-Scalp), Salicylic acid (scale removal), Moisturizers, Phototherapy: Narrowband UVB (effective, requires 3x/week sessions, long-term), PUVA (psoralen + UVA—more side effects), Excimer laser (targeted UVB), Systemic medications (moderate-severe): Methotrexate (immunosuppressant, folic acid antagonist), Cyclosporine (immunosuppressant, kidney toxicity), Acitretin (retinoid, teratogenic), Apremilast (Otezla—PDE4 inhibitor, oral), Biologics (very expensive, injection/infusion): TNF-alpha inhibitors (Humira, Enbrel, Remicade, Cimzia), IL-17 inhibitors (Cosentyx, Taltz), IL-23 inhibitors (Tremfya, Skyrizi, Ilumya), IL-12/23 inhibitor (Stelara)

The Problem

Topical steroids: Short-term improvement but: Thinning skin with prolonged use (atrophy, striae, telangiectasia), Tachyphylaxis (tolerance—stop working), Rebound flare when stopped, Systemic absorption (if large areas), Don't address root cause, Methotrexate/Cyclosporine: Immunosuppression (infection risk), Liver toxicity (methotrexate—requires monitoring), Kidney toxicity (cyclosporine), GI upset, Teratogenic (birth defects—strict contraception), Doesn't cure—must continue indefinitely, Biologics: Very expensive ($20,000-60,000/year), Injection/infusion (not oral), Serious immunosuppression (increased infections including TB, fungal, opportunistic), Increased cancer risk (especially lymphoma, melanoma), Injection site reactions, Loss of efficacy over time (antibodies develop), Doesn't cure—must continue indefinitely, only suppresses, Phototherapy: Time-consuming (3x/week sessions), Premature skin aging, Skin cancer risk with long-term use (especially PUVA), Conventional approach: Focuses on suppressing skin manifestations without: Healing gut (leaky gut drives systemic inflammation and autoimmunity—foundational), Eliminating food triggers (gluten, dairy, nightshades—major culprits, AIP diet often clears psoriasis), Optimizing vitamin D (most psoriasis patients severely deficient—supplementing to 80-100 ng/mL dramatically improves outcomes, rarely recommended), High-dose omega-3 (4-6g/day proven effective—rarely recommended at therapeutic dose), Addressing infections (strep, Candida, gut pathogens—trigger and exacerbate), Stress management (major trigger—needs therapy, meditation, lifestyle changes), Low-Dose Naltrexone (immune modulation—many achieve remission, cheap, minimal side effects, ignored by conventional dermatology), Many psoriasis patients could achieve remission or significant improvement with: AIP diet (eliminate gluten, dairy, nightshades, alcohol, sugar), Gut healing (probiotics, L-glutamine, remove pathogens), Vitamin D optimization (10,000+ IU/day, get levels to 80-100), Omega-3 (4-6g/day), Curcumin (anti-inflammatory), LDN (immune modulation), Sunlight/UVB exposure, Stress management, Quit smoking and alcohol, Avoid biologics if possible (expensive, immunosuppression, long-term effects unknown)—save for severe cases that don't respond to comprehensive natural approach

Your Complete Protocol

A comprehensive, tiered approach combining supplements, herbs, and advanced therapies

Functional MedicineChinese Herbal MedicinePeptide TherapyWhole Food Nutrition

Your Protocol for Psoriasis

Choose the level that's right for your healing journey

Essential Protocol

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$75/mo

What's Included

Vitamin D3 10,000-20,000 IU/day (CRITICAL—immune modulation, skin cell regulation, most psoriasis patients severely deficient, optimal level 80-100 for psoriasis—higher than general health, monitor levels), Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) 4-6g/day (anti-inflammatory, proven effective for psoriasis), Curcumin 1-2g 3x/day (anti-inflammatory, blocks TNF-alpha, IL-17), Quercetin 1000mg 2-3x/day (anti-inflammatory, immune modulation), Zinc 30-50mg (skin health, immune), Selenium 200-400mcg (antioxidant, immune), Vitamin A 10,000-25,000 IU or Beta-carotene (skin cell turnover regulation—but don't megadose, too much vitamin A can worsen), Probiotics 50-100B CFU (gut-immune modulation), L-Glutamine 10-20g/day (gut healing), Digestive Enzymes, Milk Thistle 300mg 3x/day (liver support—detoxification), Berberine 500mg 3x/day (if gut dysbiosis), Boswellia 500mg 3x/day (anti-inflammatory), Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) 1.5-4.5mg bedtime (immune modulation—many psoriasis patients improve dramatically), Grape Seed Extract 200-400mg (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory), Evening Primrose Oil or GLA 1000mg 2x/day (skin inflammation), Aloe Vera (topical and oral—200mg extract 2x/day or juice), Sarsaparilla (traditional for psoriasis), Oregon Grape Root (topical and oral—berberine content), Topical: Vitamin D cream (calcipotriene—prescription, or natural vitamin D in base), Aloe vera gel (anti-inflammatory, soothing), Coconut oil (moisturize, antimicrobial), Oatmeal baths (colloidal oatmeal—soothing, reduces itch), Dead Sea salts (bath—traditional for psoriasis), Capsaicin cream (reduces itch, pain—desensitizes nerves), Apple cider vinegar (diluted—for scalp psoriasis), Turmeric paste
Turmeric (Jiang Huang) — Reduces skin inflammation and slows skin cell turnover
Burdock Root (Niu Bang Zi) — Clears heat and toxins from blood that cause skin lesions

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Practitioner-Grade Protocol

Complete Protocol

Best Value

$245/mo

What's Included

All Practitioner-Grade supplements & herbs
BPC-157 (tissue repair + gut healing)
Thymosin Alpha-1 (immune modulation)

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Standard Process + Matter peptides

Recommended Supplements

Vitamin D3 10,000-20,000 IU/day (CRITICAL—immune modulation, skin cell regulation, most psoriasis patients severely deficient, optimal level 80-100 for psoriasis—higher than general health, monitor levels), Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) 4-6g/day (anti-inflammatory, proven effective for psoriasis), Curcumin 1-2g 3x/day (anti-inflammatory, blocks TNF-alpha, IL-17), Quercetin 1000mg 2-3x/day (anti-inflammatory, immune modulation), Zinc 30-50mg (skin health, immune), Selenium 200-400mcg (antioxidant, immune), Vitamin A 10,000-25,000 IU or Beta-carotene (skin cell turnover regulation—but don't megadose, too much vitamin A can worsen), Probiotics 50-100B CFU (gut-immune modulation), L-Glutamine 10-20g/day (gut healing), Digestive Enzymes, Milk Thistle 300mg 3x/day (liver support—detoxification), Berberine 500mg 3x/day (if gut dysbiosis), Boswellia 500mg 3x/day (anti-inflammatory), Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) 1.5-4.5mg bedtime (immune modulation—many psoriasis patients improve dramatically), Grape Seed Extract 200-400mg (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory), Evening Primrose Oil or GLA 1000mg 2x/day (skin inflammation), Aloe Vera (topical and oral—200mg extract 2x/day or juice), Sarsaparilla (traditional for psoriasis), Oregon Grape Root (topical and oral—berberine content), Topical: Vitamin D cream (calcipotriene—prescription, or natural vitamin D in base), Aloe vera gel (anti-inflammatory, soothing), Coconut oil (moisturize, antimicrobial), Oatmeal baths (colloidal oatmeal—soothing, reduces itch), Dead Sea salts (bath—traditional for psoriasis), Capsaicin cream (reduces itch, pain—desensitizes nerves), Apple cider vinegar (diluted—for scalp psoriasis), Turmeric paste

Key Lab Markers

Clinical diagnosis (characteristic plaques—thick, red, silvery scales, extensor surfaces, scalp, nails), Skin biopsy (if diagnosis unclear—shows parakeratosis, hyperproliferation, inflammatory infiltrate), Psoriatic Arthritis screening (joint pain, swelling—20-30% of psoriasis patients develop, X-rays, inflammatory markers), Comprehensive stool test (gut dysbiosis, inflammation, leaky gut), Zonulin (intestinal permeability), Food sensitivity panel (IgG/IgA—identify triggers), Strep screen (throat culture—if recent infection, trigger for guttate psoriasis), Candida testing (antibodies, stool, organic acids), Vitamin D (optimal 80-100 for psoriasis—most severely deficient), Omega-3 Index (optimal >8%), Zinc, Selenium, CBC, Comprehensive metabolic panel, Inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, ESR), Thyroid panel (autoimmune overlap—check for Hashimoto's), ANA (other autoimmune conditions), Metabolic screening (fasting glucose, insulin, lipids—psoriasis associated with metabolic syndrome), HLA-Cw6 genetic test (if interested—predicts better response to biologics, but not necessary for management)

Dietary Guidance

Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet (CRITICAL—many psoriasis patients clear with diet alone): Eliminate (30-90 days minimum): Gluten (major trigger—molecular mimicry, inflammatory), Dairy (casein sensitivity common), Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes—alkaloids trigger many psoriasis patients, not all but common), Eggs (for some), Nuts and seeds (for some), Grains, Legumes, Sugar and refined carbs (inflammatory, feed gut pathogens), Alcohol (inflammatory, liver stress, triggers flares), Processed foods, seed oils, Reintroduce systematically after skin clears (one food at a time, 5-7 days apart, watch for flares), Eat: Abundant vegetables (except nightshades initially—anti-inflammatory, nutrients), Quality protein (wild fish 3x/week—omega-3, grass-fed meat, pastured poultry), Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, coconut oil), Bone broth daily (gut healing, collagen), Fermented vegetables (after gut healing phase—probiotics), Berries (antioxidants), Herbs and spices (turmeric, ginger, garlic—anti-inflammatory), Anti-inflammatory foods: Omega-3 fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel—anti-inflammatory, proven helpful), Turmeric and ginger daily, Green tea, Colorful vegetables, Extra virgin olive oil, Avoid: Sugar (drives inflammation, feeds Candida), Alcohol (major trigger—even moderate amounts worsen psoriasis, must eliminate during healing), Red meat (arachidonic acid—inflammatory, especially grain-fed), Fried foods, Trans fats, Seed oils (corn, soy, canola—inflammatory), Processed foods, Excess omega-6 (shifts omega-6:3 ratio—inflammatory), Hydration (adequate water—skin hydration, detoxification), Organic (pesticides trigger autoimmunity)

Lifestyle Factors

Stress management (MAJOR trigger—stress causes flares via cortisol, immune dysregulation): Meditation, yoga, breathwork, therapy, address chronic stressors, support groups, Adequate sleep (7-9 hours—immune regulation, skin repairs during sleep), Sunlight exposure (UVB—vitamin D production, immunosuppressive effect on skin, 15-30 min daily—don't burn, huge benefit for many psoriasis patients, some clear completely with sun exposure), UV phototherapy (if natural sun inadequate—narrowband UVB, PUVA—dermatologist supervised, effective but requires multiple sessions per week), Quit smoking (major trigger—worsens psoriasis, delays healing, increases risk, non-negotiable), Limit alcohol or eliminate (triggers flares, inflammatory, liver stress—many psoriasis patients improve dramatically when quit drinking), Maintain healthy weight (obesity worsens psoriasis—inflammatory, lose weight if overweight), Avoid skin trauma (Koebner phenomenon—psoriasis develops at injury sites, avoid scratching, tight clothing, harsh soaps), Moisturize (keeps skin hydrated, reduces scaling, cracking—thick emollients, Cetaphil, Aquaphor, coconut oil, avoid fragranced products), Lukewarm baths or showers (hot water dries skin, worsens psoriasis—add oatmeal, Dead Sea salts, Epsom salts), Pat dry gently (don't rub), Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing (locks in moisture), Avoid harsh soaps (switch to gentle, fragrance-free cleansers), Humidify environment (especially winter—dry air worsens), Exercise (reduces inflammation, stress, improves insulin sensitivity—but shower promptly after, sweat can irritate), Treat infections promptly (strep throat triggers guttate psoriasis—antibiotics if bacterial), Address gut health (probiotics, prebiotics, heal leaky gut—foundational), Infrared sauna (detox support, circulation, relaxation), Red light therapy (promotes healing, reduces inflammation), Emotional healing (some psoriasis patients have emotional trauma component—therapy, EMDR), Support groups (chronic skin condition is psychologically challenging—connect with others)