Within the psoriasis community, awareness about the benefits of using supplements of essential fatty acids (EFA), continue to emerge. Increasing nutrition and metabolism through increasing the body's ability to absorb vitamins, minerals, and amino acids all seem to play an important key role in decreasing the psoriasis condition.

Omega 3 and 6 Oils

The lack of the "good" oils in the modern diet is a major concern in alternative medicine circles. The lipids and amino acids necessary for healthy cells are not available, even in the best of diets, so diet supplements may help the body restore itself to a normal condition (normal being disease free). In some instances, just adding these essential oils have shown benefits. Oils (fats) are not all "fatty" and fat free diets can deplete the essential fatty acids necessary for proper utilization of vitamins and minerals.

Flax is a plant that is gaining popularity as a rich source of omega 3 oil. It is relatively inexpensive, and the most naturopaths and alternative approaches encourage some form of flax taken daily to maintain and promote health. Flax seed contains all 8 amino acids, LNA (alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 polyunsaturate) and LA (linoleic acid, an omega-6 polyunsaturate), and fiber.

It is a well-known fact that fish liver oils are high in the omega 3 and 6 oils. Vitamins A and D, (both important to the skin and found in abundance in fish and fish liver oils) and Vitamins E and K are all fat-soluble, meaning they are not dissolved in water but in oils. A tablespoon of cod liver oil was a daily part of raising a healthy child long before children's vitamins became popular. But the omega polyunsaturated oils are only part of the nutrients available in fish.

Lecithin, long used by psoriasis sufferers, is a member of the family of fatty substances known chemically as phosphatidylcholine. It is available in capsules, or as a granular food supplement. Most of the lecithin available today comes from the soy plant. The role is phosphatidylcholine and choline in cell functioning is well documented scientifically. The role of lecithin in restoring normal skin or decreasing psoriatic lesions has not been determined scientifically (no studies have proven conclusively that this will or will not benefit the psoriasis sufferer).