Hint: The answer lies in the special Eskimo diet – fish.
When you look at the psoriasis statistics across all nationalities and ethnicities, one group immediately jumps out as special: the Eskimos. Compared to most others, they have a remarkably low psoriasis incidence rate. Only 1% Many of the Eskimos are affected by this debilitating skin disorder, but why and what can we learn from them and apply to our own psoriasis treatments?
The Eskimos of Greenland first came to the attention of Danish researchers in the 1970s, when they noted that these tough indigenous tribes had very few cases of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, including psoriasis! They linked this to the most obvious difference in the daily life of a typical Eskimo. What separated them from their counterparts living in Denmark was their special diet.
Do you remember those cartoons with Eskimos ice fishing, sitting around a small hole with wooden rods in their hands? Well, they are somewhat true.
The normal Eskimo diet consists of a large amount of shellfish, up to a pound a day of whale, seal, and walrus meat (including fat!), and generous portions of salmon, white fish, and other fish. Fish is cooked, dried, smoked, or eaten raw.
This diet is special because it is very rich in long-chain omega-3 fats, which are known to be anti-inflammatory. Western diets, by comparison, are severely lacking in fish.
The researchers know this is the key to their resistance to psoriasis, as their research on the Inuit of Greenland has been bolstered by similar findings on other tribes, such as the Yup’iks of Alaska and the Inuits of Siberia.
So why are omega-3 oils, especially those from oily fish, so important in curbing psoriasis?
Here’s a quick breakdown of why. People with psoriasis have been found to have unusually high levels of a fat called arachidonic acid, which is produced favorably from omega-6 acids. This acid is known to cause inflammation and aggravate psoriasis. Guess what has the reverse effect? That’s right, omega-3! By eating so much fish, Eskimos help regulate the overproduction of omega-6, thereby keeping their inflammation in check and warding off skin disorders like psoriasis.
While you can’t just build an igloo or pack your bags, buy a ticket to Alaska or Siberia, and join a tribe, you can always make changes to your diet to incorporate more omega-3-rich foods. The best way to do this is to go to a fishmonger and get oily fish, like mackerel, herring, trout, and salmon (no, fish sticks don’t count!). Canned tuna is a good alternative, just be sure to get water-packed tuna instead of oil-packed tuna (since they typically use omega-6 vegetable oil).
I have personally noticed that since eating homemade fish 2-3 times a week, my psoriasis patches are much lighter, smoother and less itchy. Also, I love seafood, so I enjoy meals twice as much!
In addition to eating fish, an easy route to take is to supplement with fish oil capsules. Just make sure they are high in EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) as it is more beneficial for psoriasis. The normal recommended dose is 300 to 1,000 milligrams, but it is sometimes necessary to take up to 3,000 milligrams to see a noticeable effect. There are also vegetarian sources of omega-3, in green leafy vegetables and flaxseed oil. Make sure to give it a few weeks before you decide if it’s helping you or not.
The Eskimos used to eat this traditional diet throughout their lives, and it takes time to see the changes that diet can have on psoriasis. The next time you feel hungry, or Kish-tu-ah as the western eskimos say, take out the fish and treat your psoriasis for some relief!
