This Natural Supplement Could Be The Answer To Your Psoriasis Problem

Curcumin, a potent antioxidant found in turmeric, is the Olivia Pope of the supplement world—it seems there's no issue it can't fix. In addition to helping ease depression, relieving muscle soreness, protecting against cancer, and helping our bodies manage stress, recent research from the University of Florence in Italy suggests that the super-spice can now add fighting psoriasis to its list of bragging rights.

In the study, 60 psoriasis sufferers who added a daily 3,000 mg dose of curcumin to the traditional topical steroids they were already using, saw a 48% drop in the severity of their red, scaly patches of skin after 12 weeks. The science behind the skin improvement: Anti-inflammatory curcumin likely amps up topical steroids' assault on the inflammation that causes psoriasis, explains Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, director of ethnic skin care for the University of Miami Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery.

Though dermatologists agree that curcumin as a psoriasis treatment is very promising, it's not for everyone. Specifically, anyone who's dealt with kidney stones, since it can make new ones form and bring on side effects like diarrhea and nausea, too, Woolery-Lloyd says. She recommends that psoriasis sufferers consider starting with a 1,200 mg daily dose to help heal scaly skin patches (past research has shown the dose to be effective) and work up to the 3,000 mg dose used in this study if digestive issues don't pop up. And of course, talk to your doc before starting any new meds or supplements.