Wheat Beers And Psoriasis: A Cloudy Concern?

Alcohol is believed to be a trigger for psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. While the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, it is believed to be linked to a problem with the immune system. Alcohol may disrupt the immune system and trigger a flare-up, particularly in older individuals who have been dealing with psoriasis for a long time. Beer, specifically non-light beer, has been associated with psoriasis due to the presence of gluten, which is also found in wheat. Studies have shown that alcohol consumption may increase the risk of developing psoriasis and worsen inflammation in those who already have the disease.

Alcohol's impact on neurotransmitters and inflammation

Alcohol is a toxin that can cause damage at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels. It can trigger inflammation across the body, including in the gut, liver, face, joints, and brain. Alcohol can cause acute inflammation, such as hangover symptoms like headaches and nausea, and chronic inflammation, which intensifies over time.

Alcohol's Impact on Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is often associated with alcohol-related medical conditions. Alcohol can significantly increase the translocation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the gut, which is a key inducer of inflammation. Alcohol metabolism directly leads to the production of reactive oxygen species, which stimulate the activation of inflammation transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Alcohol also increases the production of inflammatory proteins, which can increase the risk of infection and contribute to psoriasis symptoms.

In the gut, alcohol can cause an overgrowth of bacteria, leading to an increase in bacterial waste products, including endotoxins, which activate the proteins and immune cells that promote inflammation. Alcohol also disrupts the gut barrier, allowing harmful bacteria and their toxins to enter the bloodstream, leading to systemic inflammation affecting various organs, including the liver and brain.

Alcohol-induced inflammation can put individuals at greater risk for various health conditions, including alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and an increased risk of developing heart disease. It can also damage the immune cells and fine hairs that clear viruses and bacteria out of the airways, making individuals more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections in the lungs and respiratory tract.

Alcohol's Impact on Neurotransmitters

Alcohol affects brain function by interacting with multiple neurotransmitter systems, disrupting the balance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters. It increases inhibitory neurotransmission by acting on the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and decreasing excitatory neurotransmission by reducing the activity of the major excitatory neurotransmitters, aspartate and glutamate. Alcohol also affects the dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate pathways in the brain, which are involved in reward mechanisms and can influence the development and relapse of alcohol addiction.

In summary, alcohol's impact on inflammation and neurotransmitters is complex and far-reaching, affecting multiple systems in the body and contributing to various health conditions.

Gluten sensitivity and psoriasis

While there is no definitive diet for psoriasis, certain food groups are often reported to trigger flare-ups. These include red meat, dairy, gluten, processed foods, and nightshades. Gluten is a type of protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. It is also commonly found in processed meats, sauces, and baked goods.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some individuals with psoriasis may be sensitive to gluten. For those with gluten sensitivity, a gluten-free diet may improve psoriasis symptoms. However, a gluten-free diet is very restrictive and should not be undertaken without consulting a healthcare professional.

There is a suggested link between psoriasis and celiac disease, an autoimmune disease and digestive disorder that can damage the small intestine. Celiac disease is treated with a gluten-free diet, which may also help improve psoriasis symptoms for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

A small number of cases have shown that eliminating gluten can lead to improvements in psoriasis symptoms. However, larger studies are needed to confirm this. If you believe gluten may be triggering your psoriasis, it is recommended to consult your doctor about tests for celiac disease and to discuss an elimination diet.

It is important to note that simply eliminating gluten may not be sufficient to manage psoriasis, and a well-rounded approach to diet and lifestyle is necessary.

Alcohol's effect on medication effectiveness

Alcohol can have a detrimental effect on medication effectiveness and can be particularly dangerous when combined with certain medications. Alcohol can alter the metabolism and pharmacological effects of many common medications, and, conversely, many medications can alter the absorption and metabolism of alcohol. Dozens of common medications have the potential to interact dangerously with alcohol, and the consequences can be severe, including gastrointestinal bleeding, liver damage, falls, traffic accidents, and overdose deaths.

There are three main ways that alcohol and medications can interact:

• Alcohol can alter the metabolism of a medication, speeding up or slowing down the removal of the medication from the body and thus raising or lowering the levels of the medication in the blood.
• A medication can influence the absorption and metabolism of alcohol, potentially resulting in higher blood alcohol concentrations and other adverse effects.
• Alcohol can alter the pharmacological effects of the medication, increasing or decreasing the effect of the medication on the body.

The more alcohol a patient consumes, the greater the risk of alcohol and medication interactions. Older people are at a particularly high risk of harmful alcohol-medication interactions due to age-related changes in their physiology and their increasing use of medications that could interact with alcohol.

It is important to observe warning labels and ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to consume alcohol with any medications and herbal remedies that are being taken.

Alcohol's link to liver problems and psoriasis drugs

Alcohol is a well-known trigger for psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. While the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, it is believed to be linked to a person's genes and immune system. Alcohol consumption can set off symptoms, reduce the effectiveness of medication, and increase the chances of liver problems, especially when paired with certain psoriasis drugs like methotrexate.

Alcohol abuse and psoriasis are interconnected, with a higher prevalence of alcohol dependence among individuals with psoriasis. This may be due to the psychological toll of living with a long-term skin disorder, which can lead to low self-esteem and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. As a result, some people turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, despite it worsening their skin condition.

Alcohol can trigger psoriasis symptoms through several mechanisms, including increased susceptibility to infections, stimulation of lymphocyte and keratinocyte proliferation, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, alcohol consumption can negatively impact treatment adherence and decrease the body's ability to process medications effectively.

The link between alcohol and psoriasis is particularly notable in women. Studies have shown a correlation between alcohol intake and the extent of psoriasis in women, with an increased risk of developing psoriasis among those consuming more than 2-3 alcoholic beverages per week.

Excessive alcohol consumption is also associated with a higher incidence and severity of psoriasis. It can lead to more severe inflammation, typically distributed on the face, groin, and flexures, or hyperkeratotic lesions on the hands and fingers. This distribution is similar to the symptoms experienced by people with HIV.

In addition to triggering psoriasis flares, alcohol consumption can have detrimental effects on the liver, further impacting the immune system and its ability to cope with infections and other problems. Alcohol-induced liver injury can impair skin barrier function and increase susceptibility to infections.

For individuals with psoriasis, it is advisable to limit alcohol consumption or abstain completely. This can help reduce the frequency and severity of psoriasis flares and lower the risk of associated health complications, including liver disease. Consulting with a dermatologist is recommended to determine the best course of action regarding alcohol consumption and psoriasis management.

Alcohol's role in developing psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by increased cell proliferation in the basal epidermal layer and disturbed differentiation in the apical part of the epidermis. While the specific cause of psoriasis is unknown, drinking alcohol has a noticeable effect on the condition. Alcohol consumption, even in small amounts, can impact the effectiveness of psoriasis treatment, increase the harmful side effects of some psoriasis medications, worsen psoriasis or trigger a flare, decrease the likelihood of remission from psoriasis, and make it more difficult to follow a treatment plan.

Alcohol may be both an initiating and aggravating factor in inflammation. It can affect both innate and adaptive immunity. Alcohol-induced liver injury in mice resulted in an impairment of skin barrier function, possibly mediated via plasma TNF-α. Alcohol may also have an impact on the number and function of murine epidermal T cells. The methylation changes in CD4+ T cells are greater in patients with psoriasis than in healthy control subjects. Alcohol may have an impact on the migration of murine dermal dendritic cells to draining lymph nodes after sensitization. In female mice, alcohol caused a reduced dendritic function compared to male mice.

Mast cells are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and alcohol may affect the number of mast cells as well as their degranulation. Alcohol affects the brain in several ways. Like other drugs, it stimulates the brain's reward centre via several neurotransmitter systems, depending on the phase of alcohol dependency of the individual.

Research has shown that people living with psoriasis are twice as likely to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as people who do not have the condition. If you have NAFLD, you are also at greater risk of the condition progressing into a serious liver disease. According to research published in 2017, people with psoriasis have a 60% greater risk of dying from alcohol-related causes than people who do not have psoriasis.

Alcohol misuse can trigger psoriasis outbreaks as well as other skin problems like rosacea and acne. Alcohol abuse and new psoriasis are also linked. Alcohol may not only be a possible trigger for psoriasis flares, but research also shows that people who have psoriasis drink more alcohol than people without the condition. One reason for this could be that receiving a diagnosis of a long-term skin disorder can take a psychological toll. Psoriasis is linked to low self-esteem and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Some people turn to alcohol to try to feel better, even though it might only make their skin worse.

Frequently asked questions