Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
Resources
About MyPsoriasisTeam
Powered By

Probiotics for Psoriasis: Gut Bacteria and Your Microbiome

Posted on March 03, 2021
View reactions
Medically reviewed by
Diane M. Horowitz, M.D.
Article written by
Amanda Agazio, Ph.D.

A growing body of evidence suggests that the health of your gut and its microbiome — the assortment of microorganisms like bacteria and viruses — can affect the severity of your psoriasis symptoms. An important part of gut health is balancing good and bad bacteria. As a result, some people, including MyPsoriasisTeam members, wonder if treatment for psoriasis should include probiotics, beneficial live bacteria that support the microbiome.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and the accelerated production of skin cells. Skin builds up more quickly than it can shed, causing patches of thickened, scaly skin that can crack, bleed, and itch — as well as other symptoms.

Have you added probiotics to your diet? How has it affected your psoriasis symptoms? Start a conversation by posting on MyPsoriasisTeam.

Although research is limited, scientists have indeed found instances of probiotics — found naturally in certain foods and in supplements — helping relieve psoriasis symptoms. Understanding how these good bacteria can affect your immune system is useful when considering adding them to your diet. However, as with any new treatment, it’s important to speak to your doctor first.

Understanding the Immune System and the Microbiome

The microbiome refers to all the microbes in the human body and their genetic material. The human body harbors more than 100 trillion microbes — microscopic organisms, especially bacteria — in places like the skin, respiratory tract, and digestive tract (also referred to as the gut).

The species of bacteria found within the gut are diverse and can be “good” and “bad.” The human body must try to maintain balance between the good and bad bacteria. A healthy gut microbiome is involved in many processes, including:

  • Food digestion
  • The production of vitamins B and K
  • The regulation of the immune system

The regulation and symbiosis (harmony) of the gut bacteria and immune system are important for inhibiting an immune response against the body’s own tissues.

When the good and bad bacteria are out of balance — a situation known as dysbiosis — problems can result. Autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis are associated with an unbalanced microbiome. Recent studies also suggest that the microbiome may play a role in the dysregulation of the immune system during psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Immune Cell Development

The gut is home to immune cells including B and T lymphocytes, also known as B cells and T cells. The environment in the gut can influence the way these cells develop. Depending on the balance of bacteria in the microbiome, immune cells can develop in ways that either promote or inhibit inflammation. For instance, T cells in the gut can either develop into regulatory T cells that can help lower inflammation, or pro-inflammatory T cells that may contribute to an abnormal immune response.

The Intestinal Barrier and Leaky Gut Syndrome

The immune system is also important for maintaining your intestinal barrier. The intestinal barrier prevents food particles, microbes, and associated toxins in the intestine from absorbing into the blood. Gut dysbiosis or certain diseases can occur in an intestinal barrier that is not fully intact, a condition known as leaky gut syndrome.

When the intestinal barrier is leaky, it allows undigested food particles, microbes, and toxins to pass through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. Leaky gut syndrome contributes to immune system activation and persistent inflammation.

It’s thought that leaky gut syndrome occurs in many diseases, including:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis

Psoriasis and the Microbiome

Studies have shown that individuals with psoriasis often have an unbalanced gut microbiome and fewer bacterial species. People with psoriasis display low levels of helpful bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and increased levels of harmful species including E. coli and Salmonella. The gut dysbiosis in people with psoriasis could lead to more inflammation and activation of immune cells. All of these changes could ultimately affect the level of inflammation in the body.

Although scientists do not know if leaky gut syndrome occurs regularly during psoriasis, some evidence suggests a connection. Additional studies are required to confirm the presence of leaky gut syndrome during psoriasis. However, the evidence suggests that treatment options targeting the microbiome could be beneficial for some people living with psoriasis.

Probiotics for Psoriasis

Probiotics are beneficial live bacteria that support the microbiome — in other words, good bacteria. When people talk about using probiotics to treat psoriasis or another health condition, they are generally referring to foods or supplements containing these good bacteria. Foods containing probiotics include:

  • Yogurt
  • Kefir
  • Tempeh
  • Kombucha
  • Sauerkraut

Probiotic supplements are also available as pills, powders, or liquids.

Limited studies have been performed on humans using probiotic supplements as a psoriasis treatment. In a study of individuals with psoriasis who were treated with the probiotic supplement Bifidobacterium infantis, participants had decreased levels of substances that promote inflammation after treatment.

In a separate study, people with severe pustular psoriasis were treated with the probiotic supplement Lactobacillus sporogenes three times daily. Many of the study participants showed significant improvement within two weeks of treatment, and some even achieved remission after four weeks.

Some MyPsoriasisTeam members have shared how using probiotics seems to have eased their psoriasis symptoms. “The best help for me was getting on a good probiotic,” one member shared.

Another echoed positive results: “I haven't been on the probiotic for long, and my legs are almost totally clear.”

Start a Conversation With Your Doctor

The evidence is promising, but more research is needed to understand how changes in the microbiome affect psoriasis, and what impact probiotics can have on managing psoriasis flares.

Your dermatologist can help you understand if probiotic foods or supplements will benefit your psoriasis. As always, consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet. Some nutritional or herbal supplements can interfere with medications or cause their own side effects.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyPsoriasisTeam is the social network for people with psoriasis and their loved ones. On MyPsoriasisTeam, more than 89,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis.

Have you added probiotics to your diet? How has it affected your psoriasis symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on MyPsoriasisTeam.

Posted on March 03, 2021
View reactions
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.
Diane M. Horowitz, M.D. is an internal medicine and rheumatology specialist. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about her here.
Amanda Agazio, Ph.D. completed her doctorate in immunology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Her studies focused on the antibody response and autoimmunity. Learn more about her here.

Related articles

Red light therapy (RLT) is a particular type of light therapy that can be used to treat psoriasis...

Red Light Therapy vs. Phototherapy for Psoriasis: 4 Differences

Red light therapy (RLT) is a particular type of light therapy that can be used to treat psoriasis...
For people living with moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), biologics can ...

Minimizing Injection Pain From Psoriasis Biologics

For people living with moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), biologics can ...
Fiinding topical (applied to the skin) treatments that reduce psoriasis symptoms can be an ongoin...

Is Hydrogen Peroxide Good for Psoriasis?

Fiinding topical (applied to the skin) treatments that reduce psoriasis symptoms can be an ongoin...
As with many chronic (ongoing) conditions, people with psoriasis sometimes look to natural treatm...

Is Breast Milk Good for Psoriasis?

As with many chronic (ongoing) conditions, people with psoriasis sometimes look to natural treatm...
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) — a condition characterized by joint pain, swelling, and stiffness resu...

Leflunomide for Psoriatic Arthritis: Uses and Effectiveness

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) — a condition characterized by joint pain, swelling, and stiffness resu...
You may have heard about using thymosin alpha-1 therapy for psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Since 1977...

Thymosin Alpha-1 for Psoriatic Arthritis: Is It Effective?

You may have heard about using thymosin alpha-1 therapy for psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Since 1977...

Recent articles

If you're living with psoriasis, you’re likely familiar with the raised, scaly patches or plaques...

Kefir and Psoriasis: Why This Probiotic-Rich Drink May Help Ease Your Symptoms

If you're living with psoriasis, you’re likely familiar with the raised, scaly patches or plaques...
Psoriasis advocate Zailee Madrigal has lived with the condition since she was 6 years old. Watch...

4 Things To Know About Psoriasis

Psoriasis advocate Zailee Madrigal has lived with the condition since she was 6 years old. Watch...
People with psoriasis are up to three times more likely to develop lymphoma than the general publ...

Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Lymphoma: Is There a Connection?

People with psoriasis are up to three times more likely to develop lymphoma than the general publ...
If you’re living with psoriasis, you may sometimes discover you’ve developed skin symptoms you ha...

Toes Peeling in Strips: Is It Psoriasis Related?

If you’re living with psoriasis, you may sometimes discover you’ve developed skin symptoms you ha...
Psoriasis advocate Lex Beckman has been living with the condition since she was a teenager, and ...

Discover How This Psoriasis Advocate Finds the Most Soothing Moisturizers

Psoriasis advocate Lex Beckman has been living with the condition since she was a teenager, and ...
Leading up to the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, professional golfer Phil “Lefty” Mic...

How Golfer Phil Mickelson Uses Diet To Manage Psoriatic Arthritis

Leading up to the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, professional golfer Phil “Lefty” Mic...
MyPsoriasisTeam My psoriasis Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close