Severe Psoriasis Linked to Cardiac Events

Severe Psoriasis Now Linked To

Dangerous Cardiovascular Events

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease, and
if severe, has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) .

Although the degree to which psoriasis is associated with
major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death, has not yet been defined;
New research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has revealed an increased incidence of MACE in patients with severe psoriasis.

In a cohort study analyzing data from a general practice research database, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine researchers reviewed the case histories of over 3,600 patients with severe psoriasis and 14,300 controls.

Research scientists from the Inflammatory Risk in Penn's Preventive Cardiology program found that patients with
severe psoriasis have a 53 percent increased incidence
of MACE compared to the general population.

They also found that having a diagnosed case of severe psoriasis confers an additional ten-year risk of 6 percent
on MACE. The study results were reported at the 2011 American College of Cardiology meeting in New Orleans.

Collaborating with researchers from the Department of Dermatology at Penn, the team found that the risk of death
from cardiovascular disease increased by 57 percent in patients with severe psoriasis. In addition, the relative risk
of death from cardiovascular disease was even higher in younger patients, who were as young as age 40.

The researchers conducting the studies conclude that the increased ten-year MACE may warrant more aggressive strategies for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in
patients with psoriasis.

Story Source:
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
(2011, June 27) "Severe psoriasis linked to major adverse cardiovascular events"

Diet and Nutritional Supplement Therapies For Psoriasis...

Simple changes in daily diet that help to reduce psoriasis include eliminating alcohol, simple sugars, foods high in acid and fat, and any foods that are known allergens.

Fish Oil-Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplements have reduced psoriasis symptoms in clinical trials. The recommended dosage is 1000 mg twice daily.

Additionally, daily intake of Vitamin B12, Vitamin E and
Folic Acid supplements have shown benefits for reduced symptoms of psoriasis.

Several studies have suggested that Zinc is also effective
in treating psoriasis. Suggested dosage is 30 mg- 50mg daily.

Selenium also seems to alleviate the symptoms, as indicated in several studies.

The herb Milk Thistle helps stop the breakdown of substances that contribute to psoriasis. Some herbal practitioners suggest Milk Thistle supplements to help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis.

The advantage that dietary and nutritional supplements have over most prescription drug treatments is the lack of harmful side effects. Regularly supplementing your daily diet with the nutrients that are known to help prevent and lessen the symptoms of psoriasis can eliminate painful outbreaks permanently.