Health Don’t suffer with psoriasis By Lesley Wall
Now I know that potatoes are my trigger, and I avoid them completely. I do have the odd flair up, usually after using a shopbought sauce containing potato starch, so now I make my own. So what is it about nightshade foods that can cause psoriasis? These foods contain an alkaloid compound called solanine (the Latin name for nightshade family is solanaceae). Solanine is a natural defence system for plants that acts as a nerve poison on insects that try to eat them. Obviously humans are bigger than bugs so one potato is not going to kill me, but their toxic nature can have a negative effect on your health.
I suffered with psoriasis for 10 years (in a very delicate area, I might add) which drove me up the wall. The intense itch, the flaking, the bleeding, the whole process over and over again. I tried everything from medicated creams to making my own natural remedies and nothing worked; after a day or two of relief, it always came back with a vengeance. Three years ago I started doing some research on the nightshade family of foods, which includes potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and aubergines, and psoriasis kept coming up as one of the side effects. At that point I was a bit of a non-believer in the theory that certain foods can cause health problems, always believing that a good diet including plenty of vegetables was good for me.
With nothing to loose and still suffering, I decided to cut all foods from the nightshade family out of my diet. Lo and behold, my psoriasis cleared up in just one week. At first I did think this was perhaps a fluke, but I persisted with my new diet for a whole month and the condition did not return. For the first time in 10 years, I had no psoriasis. I can’t tell you what a relief it was. I love tomatoes and potatoes and it was a huge effort to cut them out so, with still no sign of psoriasis, I decided to try introducing one thing back into my diet at a time. I tried tomatoes first (I was craving them) and that was all okay. The following week I added potatoes and bang! Within two hours I had the intense itch, and the flaking followed the next day.
Solanine is more concentrated in the stems and leaves of these plants, which is why we don’t put potato or tomato leaves in salad. Also, have you heard that green potatoes are poisonous? Well, it’s true - green potatoes with sprouting eyes contain high levels on solanine, so it’s best not to eat them. Note that sweet potatoes are not part of the nightshade family, so these are a great substitute if you can’t imagine life without jackets and chips. Also remember that vodka is made from potatoes, so this is also a no-no. If you suffer with psoriasis, try cutting out nightshade foods for yourself - you have nothing to lose, it doesn’t cost you anything and it worked for me. Lesley is an ITEC Qualified Aromatherapist and the owner of Beautylicous Me in Alvor. beautylicousme@yahoo.com
Problems with alcohol? The Twelve Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous has helped people around the world since it was first set up in 1935. There are English-speaking meetings all over the world, including here in the Algarve. The thinking behind Alcoholics Anonymous (as detailed on the organisation’s website) is as follows: “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their
24 |
www.tomorrowalgarve.com
common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. “The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are selfsupporting through our own contributions. “AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor
TomorrowAlgarve
opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.” Help is closer than you think, but you have to ask for it. So to find the nearest meeting or for help and assistance, get in touch using the numbers below. +351 919 005 590 +351 937 029 619