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Fish oil psoriasis benefits may be related to the anti-inflammatory effect of Fish oil.
The special Omega-3 fats content of Fish oil is known to reduce any abnormal inflammation in our bodies, including the inflammation connected with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis.
Inflammation is one of the main mechanisms of psoriasis.
With psoriasis the T cells - special cells of the immune system, which attack the virus or bacteria invaders in our body - by mistake become too active; they trigger the abnormal inflammation and autoimmune aggression, which damages the "good" skin cells and causes the development of the psoriatic plaques, or damages the joints and causes the development of the psoriatic arthritis.
The external psoriasis treatments, which work due to their ability to reduce the inflammation by inhibiting the T cells are: Corticosteroids, Anthralin, Sunlight and UVB tanning beds. Internal psoriasis treatments which reduce the inflammation include biologics (Enbrel and others).
Fish oil psoriasis remedies may also work for psoriasis due to improving the overall health of the person with psoriasis.
Fish oil and the other Omega-3 sources
Fish oil is derived from the tissues of oily fish.
Some fish (herring, sardines) accumulate Omega-3 in their tissues (especially liver) by eating microalgae, containing Omega-3.
Other fish - predatory fish (mackerel, trout, flounder, tuna, salmon, shark, and swordfish) accumulate Omega-3 in their tissues (especially liver) by eating the fish that accumulated Omega-3 from microalgae.
Note: that predatory fish may accumulate more of the toxic substances (mercury etc.), than the non-predatory fish, due to being at the top of the food chain.
There also exist vegetarian Omega-3 products made from the microalgae itself.
Other sources of Omega-3 include plant oils, such as Flaxseed (Linseed) oil, Canola, Soy, Hemp seed oil, and Walnuts.
Fish oil Vs. Plant oil
Will a person with psoriasis benefit more from the Omega-3 in the Fish oil psoriasis remedies or the Omega-3 in the Plant oil psoriasis remedies?
"Parent" Omega-3 Fatty Acid is called ALA (Alfa Linolenic Acid).
ALA (Alfa Linolenic Acid) is a "parent fatty acid", which in our bodies transforms into "child fatty acids": EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid).
Both the Fish oil and the Plant oil contain Omega-3 Fatty Acids, but in 2 different forms:
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Plant oil (i.e. flaxseed oil, canola, soy, and hemp seed oil, and walnuts) contains the "parent acid" ALA, and our bodies will have to convert it to EPA and DHA themselves.
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Fish oil (as well as shellfish and fish itself) contains the ALA already transformed into the "child acids" EPA and DHA.
According to multiple studies, our body benefits more from the intake of the ready-made "child acids", found only in the tissues of fish and the fish oil.
However, I would like to add that the health benefits of the "parent"ALA for example in the Flaxseed oil have been studied less than of the "child" EPA and DHA in the Fish oil.
Fish oil Capsules - the Dosage
In my opinion, if choosing between various plant and fish Omega-3 sources, it is better to opt for the Fish oil capsules as your daily Omega-3 source.
Fish oil capsules may contain anywhere between 1/4 (0.25) of a gram, and up to a 1/2 (0.5) of a gram of Omega 3 in the form of the EPA and the DHA mix.
Daily intake of 1 gram of the Omega-3 is the absolute minimum for achieving any health benefits, and 3 grams of the Omega-3 is the maximum, which should not be exceeded, as it may increase the risk of bleeding or hemorrhagic bleeding stroke.
2-3 grams of omega-3 per day is ideal for everyone.
For 2 grams of Omega-3 per day, you will have to consume:
- 8 capsules of Fish oil by 0.25 grams of Omega-3 each, or
- 4 capsules of Fish oil by 0.5 grams of Omega-3 each.
For 3 grams of Omega-3 per day, you will have to consume:
- 12 capsules of Fish oil by 0.25 grams of Omega-3 each, or
- 6 capsules of Fish oil by 0.5 grams of Omega-3 each.
Note: that the fish oil obtained from Cod liver (Cod Liver oil) additionally contains high levels of the Vitamin A. This vitamin may be beneficial for some people with psoriasis, but it may also lead to an excess of the Vitamin A in other people.
Other Fish oil Benefits
There are many other benefits of the Omega-3 rich Fish oil, which are important not only for the people with psoriasis, but just for anybody.
Fish oil may also:
- help to regulate the levels of cholesterol in our bodies;
- improve the overall body composition;
- improve the neuronal health of the brain;
- help in mood stabilization;
- reduce the risk of depression, and anxiety;
- possess a neuroprotective action with the CNS disorders, such as the Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Schizophrenia;
- help prevent secondary cardiovascular disease;
- help to reduce high blood pressure;
- slow prostate, colon and breast cancer growth;
- help prevent coronary heart disease;
- help with varicose veins (circulatory blood disease);
- help with heart attack prevention;
- help with rheumatoid arthritis;
- help with stroke prevention;
- improve the blood flow in the arteries;
- help to prevent memory loss in the later years;
- improve poor learning and focus abilities.
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