Juicing carrots is a creative way to enjoy the many benefits the vegetable has to offer without having to chew it. Carrots are also a natural source of alpha and beta-carotene, as well as vitamin B6 and vitamin K. Did you know that the strong presence of beta-carotene in carrots is very helpful for psoriasis? As such, the benefits of carrot juice for psoriasis and other applications are endless.  Although psoriasis has no known cure, just like aloe vera, the carrot juice formula can mitigate its dire effects.

Are you suffering from psoriasis? Or, do you know anyone with this chronic disease? If yes, we are going to give you, not one, but four benefits of carrot juice for psoriasis. Continue reading to explore them all.

Find out: The benefits of applying aloe vera gel on face overnight

Carrots on chopping board

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What is Psoriasis? 

Medical experts postulate that the skin takes less than a month (about 27 days) to regenerate itself. Typically, the skin cells extend far down into the skin and then gradually rise to the skin’s surface before they eventually fall off. However, with  psoriasis, the skin cells to grow and pile up under the skin rapidly. As a result, nasty scales and dry patches form on the skin’s surface. Additionally, this rapid production of skin cells gives the skin less time to scale off old cells and regenerate new ones. 

Psoriasis itself is caused by a dysfunction in the immune system. Typical psoriatic scales start as whitish-silver scales before metamorphosing into inflamed, red patches. More often than not, these red patches will rupture and bleed. After this, psoriatic spots will then occur usually on joints, mostly on the elbows and knees. That being said, they can also develop on any part of the body, including the face, scalp, neck, nails, mouth, and the area around genitals.

There are a few other medical conditions associated with psoriasis owing to the inflammation that comes with it. These conditions attest to why early diagnosis is vital. More so, psoriasis can exist for years, and in extreme cases, last for a lifetime. During treatment, the symptoms may likely clear up and become inconspicuous. But it’s necessary to note that psoriasis triggers such as stress, cold, excess alcohol intake, dry weather, and skin infections may cause anomalies to start up again. 

benefits of carrot juice for psoriasis

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Jenna Hamra

Four Benefits of Carrot Juice for Psoriasis

Carrot juice is highly beneficial and is an unconventional psoriasis remedy. Carrots provide a natural source of fibre, vitamins, and nutrients.  Although carrot juice does not cure psoriasis, it is incredibly beneficial for masking the symptoms of psoriasis. Additionally, drinking carrot juice also has some other benefits that come with it. Continue reading to find out some of the most common these benefits of carrot juice for psoriasis. 

benefits of carrot juice for psoriasis

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Louis Hansel @shotsoflouis

1. Carrots support the liver

The liver, as our largest detoxification organ, is confronted with all toxins that enter the body. Psoriasis sufferers often suffer from impaired intestinal function (e.g. leaky gut syndrome), so that the liver is overwhelmed with the resulting additional toxins, which in turn could weaken the immune system.

Contaminated liquids and foods, when consumed, have adverse effects on the liver. The damage gets worse when there are not enough vitamins and minerals in the body to mitigate the impact of the crisis. Carrot juice is immensely beneficial in ensuring the liver stays cleansed and healthy. Carrot juice helps in repairing liver tissues and stimulating growth in the liver enzymes. Not only that, but this healthy juice can also be used to help with liver conditions such as liver cancer and liver cirrhosis. 

The liver is also involved in regulating the immune system, i.e. it protects against excessive reactions and autoimmune processes so that a healthy liver is essential for the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Another reason to have a liver cleanse with carrot juice is that psoriasis often occurs together with non-alcoholic fatty liver. This is supported by various studies. So, regular measures are in any case extremely useful for the liver (21, 22).

Both carrot juice and medicinal plants that are able to strengthen the liver effectively can, therefore, be taken regularly for psoriasis. The best-known liver-regenerating and bitter-rich plants include the milk thistle and dandelion, as well as the artichoke. 

In general, however, most bitter substances (in the right amount) strengthen the liver’s detoxification function. For example, a bitter base powder, a dandelion extract or a dandelion powder are ideal for strengthening and relieving the liver.

2. Carrots are generally beneficial for the skin

The daily consumption of carrot juice generally ensures a beautiful complexion. Carrots cater to the overall well-being of the skin. It tightens and strengthens the skin pores to prevent scaling or infections. That’s why staying on a diet that contains carrot juice will go a long way in improving the appearance of your skin for those with psoriasis.

The vitamin A contained in carrot juice is a so-called antioxidant that protects the skin cells from damage by cell toxins and ensures that the skin is supplied with moisture. If the body lacks this vitamin, the skin dries out faster, becomes brittle and cracked, calloused and wrinkles form faster. People who suffer from psoriasis or other skin diseases with itching, for example, should drink carrot juice daily, as the vitamin A it contains can also relieve itching.

Additionally, on the one hand, the ingredients of the juice help the liver to break down harmful substances, which among other things, also make the complexion clearer. On the other hand, the so-called carotenoids give the skin a light orange tone that is reminiscent of a delicate holiday tan. This effect is particularly common in babies who eat a lot of carrot porridge and look very healthy and rosy thanks to the plant pigments.

More Benefits of Carrot Juice for Psoriasis: Ageing, Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Additional benefits of carrot juice for your skin include preventing wrinkles, fine lines, and ageing. More so, combining carrots and other items like flax seeds, chia seeds, and honey can have added advantages. 

Furthermore, the vitamin C present in carrots reportedly has healing properties. This vitamin helps the skin heal faster from internal and external wounds. Beta-carotene also helps a great deal in reducing skin inflammation, ultimately speeding up the healing process. This is a significant benefit of carrot juice for psoriasis. More so, carrot juice can be mixed with aloe vera to form a nourishing face mask.

Find out: How to make DIY face masks for acne scars and redness

benefits of carrot juice for psoriasis

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3. Carrots optimize your antioxidant supply

Autoimmune diseases are chronic inflammatory diseases in the course of which “free radicals” are increasingly active, which lead to massive consumption of endogenous antioxidants; thus to an increased degree of oxidative stress. This, in turn, also has an inflammatory effect.

Studies already show that people with psoriasis have low antioxidant levels because the body’s own antioxidants are no longer sufficient to control the resulting oxidative stress. 

A permanently low antioxidant level can now also increase the risk of other chronic diseases. It’s so bad that psoriasis patients also frequently suffer and, in some cases, die from cardiovascular diseases. This is because oxidative stress also damages the blood vessels, increases blood pressure, promotes arteriosclerosis and thus heart attacks and strokes. 

However, drinking carrot juice will help to increase your vitamin level and enhance the immune system. It also aids in resisting and fighting off infections, free radicals, and diseases. 

The vitamins present in carrots that help fight diseases and boost your immunity power include vitamin A, K, C, B6, phosphorus, and potassium. These vitamins also resist various bacteria and viruses that are likely to creep in through food and water to cause infections. 

In addition to that, carrots are also great at preventing cell inflammation and damage. Vitamin C in carrots goes a long way to strengthen the immune system. Not only does this mean it’s easier to handle psoriasis, but other ailments are also on the table.

4. Carrots boost healthy digestion and metabolism

Metabolism is simply the rate at which the body converts energy into food and carrot juice is also very beneficial in this regards. Carrot juice increases bile secretion which revs up the rate of metabolism More so, drinking carrot juice infuses antioxidants into your body system, which wade off free radicals and boost your metabolism. 

Additionally, for both sufferers of psoriasis and non-sufferers, regular digestion is important to ensure good absorption of nutrients from food. So, drinking a glass of carrot juice before eating helps stimulate the digestive juices so that all of the so-called macro and micronutrients can be absorbed from the food. In addition, the dietary fibre contained in the juice promotes digestion.

Psoriasis sufferers can also consider colon cleansing with carrot juice. This will help to regenerate the possibly ailing intestinal environment. At the same time, a healthy intestinal flora will build up, which can help regulate the immune system.

Therefore, this measure can have a positive effect on all areas of the body. Even your psyche will benefit from colon cleansing because it is very closely connected to the intestines via the nervous system.

12 Benefits of Carrot Juice for Psoriasis

Photo Credit: Louis Hansel

Can I Drink Carrot Juice Daily?

Yes, carrot juice can be consumed on a daily basis if you’re a Psoriasis sufferer. However, there is no evidence that will cure your Psoriasis any faster.
Carrot juice is high in vitamin A and potassium. As it also contains a high amount of sugar, it’s best to limit your intake to one glass per day.

Symptoms of Psoriasis 

Now you are aware of how carrot juice helps with psoriasis, it’s vital to understand the different kinds of psoriasis, for further clarification of which one you might be suffering from.

Psoriasis has five variations: plaque, guttate, pustular, inverse, and erythrodermic psoriasis. This means that the symptoms vary and depend entirely on the type of psoriasis the individual is suffering from at that time. Below is further information on how to identify the five types of psoriasis.

Plaque psoriasis

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), 80% of people suffering from the disease have plaque psoriasis. This type of psoriasis results in inflamed, red patches on some areas of the skin around the body. Over time, whitish-silver plaques will spring forth to cover up the red patches.

Plaque psoriasis is often found on the scalp, elbows, and knees. Some other common symptoms include dry skin, soreness around red spots, itching and burning sensations around the patch, and swollen joints. 

Guttate psoriasis

This psoriasis is noticeable by small thick pink spots on areas like arms, legs, and the torso. For the most part, it is rampant in children and young adults. However, people outside this group can develop it in some rare cases. 

Pustular psoriasis

This psoriasis, on the other hand, is more common in adults and causes broad areas of red, inflamed skin, and white, pus-filled blisters. It is typically found on the hands and feet. 

Inverse psoriatic

The patches are common in the body’s sensitive regions, such as the armpits, breasts, groin, and genitals. Inverse psoriasis appears as bright reddish inflamed patches on the skin. 

Then there’s Erythrodermic psoriasis, which is the rarest and most severe type of psoriasis. It is potentially fatal, so urgent medical attention is needed as soon as you notice any symptoms. Erythrodermic psoriasis causes the skin to appear inflamed and blistered. This psoriatic patch can multiply and cover large areas of the body. 

Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis, also known as exfoliative psoriasis, is a rare, serious form of psoriasis. Over 75% of the surface of those affected is inflamed and covered with a fiery red and peeling rash.

This rash multiplies rapidly and is associated with severe pain and life-threatening consequences for those affected. Immediate and timely treatment by a specialist in the hospital or a dermatology clinic is necessary.

It primarily affects people who suffer from unstable plaque psoriasis. This psoriasis can also occur alone or in conjunction with generalized pustular psoriasis.

12 Benefits of Carrot Juice for Psoriasis

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Other treatment options for psoriasis symptoms

At the moment, psoriasis has no known remedy or cure. The various treatments acclaimed to cure the ailment only aim to remove the plaques, reduce the inflammation, and slow the growth of skin cells.

Additionally, in a bid to find an effective treatment for psoriasis with the least possible side effects, several alternative medications have sprung forth. To a large extent, these alternative medicines are safe for use. They equally help to reduce any scaling and itching. Some of them are also very good at suppressing psoriasis triggers, especially stress. 

Some alternative medications for psoriasis include aloe vera extract cream, fish oil supplements, Oregon grape, dietary supplements, and essential oils.

That being said, below are the most common treatments for this condition, which come in three categories:

Topical Psoriasis Treatments

Topical treatments are the first line of defence and the mildest, to begin with when treating psoriasis. Doctors prescribe topical medications for mild and moderate cases of psoriasis.

Also, topical treatments, such as creams, gels, lotions, foams, sprays, and ointments, can help to remove plaques and reduce the inflammation. Widespread patches and tougher-to-treat areas can be treated using topical corticosteroids and topical retinoids. 

Other notable topical treatments include calcineurin inhibitors, salicylic acid, coal tar, anthralin, vitamin D analogs, and moisturizers. Doctors also prescribe Goeckerman therapy, which is a blend of coal tar treatment with phototherapy.

Psoriasis: Systemic Medications

Individuals with acute psoriasis can seek systemic (oral or injected) medications to mitigate the pain. Due to the severe side effects of these medications, doctors only prescribe them in dire cases and for brief periods. More often than not, these systemic treatments can alternate with either topical or light therapy to ease the harsh side effects. 

Systemic medications can be administered as pills or as injections. They equally have some adverse side effects, so you should talk to a doctor before using any of them. Some of them don’t go down well with pregnant women or women looking to conceive. Also, some known systemic psoriasis medications include methotrexate, cyclosporine, biologics, steroids, and retinoids. 

Phototherapy (Light Therapy) For Psoriasis

Phototherapy is the use of ultra-violet rays or natural light to help treat plaque, a psoriasis symptom. A daily dose of sunlight neutralizes the white blood cells fighting the healthy skin cells and causing them to overgrow.

Asides sunlight, ultraviolet A-rays (UVA), ultraviolet B-rays (UVB), psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), and excimer laser can also help to treat single plaques. They also come in handy when treating widespread psoriasis that doesn’t respond to other forms of treatment. 

These light therapies have varying side effects ranging from nausea, burning and itching, blistering, and redness. Patients could also end up with long-lasting burns, dry and wrinkled skin, melanoma, to increased risk of skin cancer.

Benefits of Carrot Juice for Psoriasis: To Conclude

Despite the benefits of carrot juice, it’s also vital to note that experts advise moderation in consuming carrot juice. More so, excessive intake of carrot juice can change the colour of the skin, as it is beta-carotene in the carrot is responsible for its orange colour.

That said, no one can successfully play down the benefits of carrot juice. Not only does it help with psoriasis symptoms, but it is also great for weight management and boosting the immune system. In fact, carrot juice is also perfect for enhancing the overall mental and physical well-being of an individual. 

We hope you found this article informative and enlightening. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. Also, kindly share this article so that other persons might benefit from it too. 

The articles on this site are not medical or certified advice, all content that has been created is simply our opinions,experiences and independent research. We strongly advise seeking professional,qualified expert advice from either your GP or a certified medical practitioner before making any changes to do with your health,diet, exercise or habits.