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Can Glutathione Be Used As A Treatment For Psoriasis?

By November 6, 2018February 8th, 2024Blog

Can Glutathione Be Used As A Treatment For Psoriasis? | Dr. JJ | Naturopathic Doctor in Toronto Downtown

Countless Canadians use glutathione treatments for relief of psoriasis and other skin related conditions.

In fact, I frequently recommend it in my naturopathic practice in Toronto.

But what exactly is glutathione?

Glutathione is an antioxidant with a host of benefits.

From anti aging to helping with Parkinson’s disease, glutathione is there to help.

It’s synthesized naturally by the body, but its benefits are so great that it’s worth looking at whether you may want to consider glutathione injections for yourself.

Glutathione supports and helps regulate many of your body’s processes, including tissue creation and repair, and is especially helpful for the immune system.

RELATED: Intravenous Therapy For Viral Immunity

In particular, it provides plenty of benefits for the treatment of psoriasis.

Let’s talk about psoriasis: what it is, where it comes from, and how glutathione can help.

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder which causes an unusual buildup of skin cells.

According to The Canadian Dermatology Association, approximately 1 million Canadians are currently living with the condition.

Unfortunately, a cure for psoriasis hasn’t been discovered yet.

However, you can manage its flare ups and severity through lifestyle changes and medicines.

Psoriasis speeds up the life cycle of your skin cells.

This causes them to rapidly build up on the surface of your skin.

Symptoms often come and go and may improve during the summer months due to ample UV exposure.

No two cases of psoriasis are exactly the same.

Everyone living with psoriasis experiences a different combination of type, symptoms, activity, and severity.

Types of Psoriasis

Psoriasis comes in several different types and has multiple causes.

In this section, we’ll briefly outline a few types of psoriasis.

1. Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type.

It causes dry, red skin lesions with silvery scales.

These lesions are called “plaques”, hence the name of this subtype.

One or more plaques may present, and can be itchy and painful, but the degree of discomfort is different for everyone.

2. Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis typically affects children and young adults.

It causes small, red, and sometimes scaley lesions called “papules”.

If you’re living with this type of psoriasis, you might notice these papules on your limbs and torso.

It’s often triggered by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat.

3. Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis causes lesions that appear purple-ish brown on darker skin tones, or bright red on lighter ones.

This type of psoriasis typically occurs in the creases and folds of your body, such as your armpits, under your breasts, and around your groin.

According to The National Psoriasis Foundation, inverse psoriasis commonly occurs alongside other types.

4. Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is a more uncommon type.

In fact, it accounts for only 3% of cases.

It typically develops quickly and appears as pus filled blisters.

Other common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and chills.

Pustular psoriasis commonly occurs in older adults but may present at any age.

5. Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is even rarer than pustular psoriasis.

Only 2% of people living with psoriasis have this type.

However, it’s so severe that it can cover the entire body and cause intense pain or itchiness.

Additionally, erythrodermic psoriasis can affect your body temperature and fluid balance, which can ultimately lead to life threatening side effects.

Symptoms Of Psoriasis

Like previously discussed, psoriasis symptoms present differently for everyone.

However, you can watch out for some common symptoms.

And always remember: if any of these symptoms become particularly uncomfortable, you can always come to talk to me.

Common symptoms of psoriasis include:

  • Mild to severe itching, burning, or soreness
  • Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales
  • Dry, cracked skin that might bleed
  • Small scaling spots which are frequently teardrop shaped and most often seen in children
  • Thickened, pitted or ridged nails, which could indicate skin buildup underneath
  • Swollen and stiff joints, in addition to any of the above

While not a symptom per say, arthritis is a common consequence of psoriasis.

Psoriatic arthritis causes swollen and painful joints, usually in the fingers and/or toes.

Joint pain may develop before the skin lesions are visible.

Glutathione uses for Psoriasis | Dr. JJ | Naturopathic Doctor in Toronto Downtown

What Causes Psoriasis?

Many experts believe that psoriasis occurs because of an overactive and confused immune system.

This theory states that the T cells that defend against viruses or bacteria start mistakenly attacking healthy skin cells instead.

These same T cells are also the cause of increased skin cell production, as well as the redness and the pustular lesions.

However, the reason why one person’s T cells go haywire while another’s don’t isn’t fully understood by today’s science.

Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors might be the main cause; however, there are other factors that may trigger or worsen psoriasis.

These include:

  • Bacterial Infections such as strep throat
  • Chronic stress
  • Exposure to toxins, such as smoking or heavy alcohol consumption
  • Skin abrasions, bug bites or severe sunburns
  • Vitamin D deficiency
  • Some medications, such as high blood pressure meds, antimalarial drugs, or lithium
  • Gluten exposure if you’re sensitive

Complications From Psoriasis

In addition to pain and discomfort, psoriasis can lead to some pretty serious complications.

That’s why getting your skin frequently checked out by a medical professional is so important, especially if you notice any of the symptoms I described above.

Left untreated, psoriasis may lead to:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Eye Conditions, such as conjunctivitis
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Kidney disease
  • Mental health issues
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Obesity
  • Other autoimmune diseases, such as celiac or Crohn’s disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Type 2 diabetes

How Can Glutathione Help?

As we talked about before, glutathione is an antioxidant that also to supports the immune system.

It’s useful as an antioxidant because it helps support cellular function and reduce oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress occurring in skin cells can lead to diseases including not just psoriasis, but eczema and some skin cancers as well.

Because the immune system is the major trigger of skin conditions like psoriasis, glutathione both helps prevent the problem as well as fix it once it has occurred.

A 2013 study by Prussick, Prussick, and Gutman outlines this further.

While research is still ongoing, this study showed promise in using whey protein isolate enhanced with glutathione in improving psoriasis symptoms.

Glutathione also plays a key role in liver detoxification.

In my experience, patients with psoriasis often benefit from naturopathic treatments that help to support liver health and detoxification.

That’s why glutathione is at top of the list in a liver detox protocol.

The challenge with oral glutathione supplements is that they are often poorly absorbed.

This is why I often suggest glutathione injections.

If you fear the needle, don’t despair; there are other alternatives.

In fact, oral glutathione supplements are currently progressing, including s-acetyl 1-glutathione, and and liposomal glutathione, which have much better oral absorption.

Questions? Ask Dr. JJ

My name is Dr. JJ, naturopathic doctor in Toronto, and I’m a firm advocate for using glutathione as a natural remedy, particularly for psoriasis.

Contact my clinic to book your appointment with me, and I’ll be happy to look at your case, and recommend treatments that will best suit your needs.

Truly, glutathione has so many helpful benefits, and alleviating your psoriasis is one that will help make you feel good in your own skin again.

Book your appointment with me, Dr. JJ, today to get started on regaining control over your skin health.

If you have questions about naturopathic medicine, or you’d like to take your first step into the world of naturopathy, contact me, Dr. JJ, and let’s book an appointment.

Yours in health,


Dr. JJ Dugoua, Naturopathic Doctor

600 Sherbourne St, Suite 315,
Toronto, ON M4X 1W4

-https://goo.gl/maps/6VDXwiCihRpDRo5A9


Dr. JJ Dugoua is a naturopathic doctor in Toronto and has a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences. His clinic provides solutions for many health concerns and has a special focus on thyroid health issues.