Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), particularly omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil (e.g., eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]), have been investigated for their potential benefit in supporting the treatment of psoriasis. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition, and omega-3 PUFAs are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Several studies have demonstrated that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids can reduce markers of inflammation and may lead to modest improvements in psoriasis severity, particularly in patients with moderate to severe disease. A number of clinical trials and meta-analyses suggest that fish oil supplementation can reduce erythema, scaling, and the area of involvement, though results are variable and not all studies show statistically significant benefits. The proposed mechanism involves the alteration of eicosanoid production—omega-3 fatty acids compete with arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) for incorporation into cell membranes, leading to a decrease in pro-inflammatory mediators. However, while individual studies support the potential benefit, systematic reviews and guidelines note that the evidence is not uniformly strong and that PUFA supplementation should be considered as an adjunct rather than a replacement for conventional therapy. There is less evidence for other types of PUFAs (such as omega-6) in psoriasis, and their effects may even be pro-inflammatory. Overall, scientific evidence moderately supports the use of omega-3 PUFAs for psoriasis, but further large-scale, well-designed trials are needed.

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