Evidence supporting the use of: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
For the health condition: Psoriasis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found primarily in fish oil. Its use for psoriasis is justified by scientific rather than traditional evidence, though the strength of evidence is modest. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by overactive immune responses and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Omega-3 fatty acids like DHA have well-documented anti-inflammatory effects, which has led researchers to investigate their role in managing inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis.
Several small clinical studies and meta-analyses have looked at the effects of omega-3 supplementation (mainly EPA and DHA from fish oil) on psoriasis. Some studies have demonstrated modest improvements in disease severity, scaling, and erythema in patients treated with omega-3 supplements compared to placebo. The proposed mechanism involves DHA's ability to reduce production of inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines, and to alter immune cell function.
However, the evidence is not robust: many studies have methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, short duration, or use of mixed omega-3s rather than DHA alone. A 2020 review in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment concluded that while there is some evidence supporting omega-3s in psoriasis, results are inconsistent and further high-quality trials are needed. DHA is not considered a first-line therapy but may be used as an adjunct to standard treatments. Overall, scientific evidence exists but is limited, justifying a moderate evidence rating.
Other ingredients used for Psoriasis
Agrimonia pilosaAlfalfa
algal oil
Aloe vera
Alpha hydroxy acids
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
Andrographis
andrographolide
apigenin
apple cider vinegar
argan nut oil
astragalin
Aureobasidium pullulans
avocado
babchi
baicalein
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
bee propolis
beta-glucan
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium longum
birch
black currant
black walnut
Borassus aethiopum
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butyrate triglyceride
caffeic Acid
cannabidiol
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
Chinese salvia root
chirata
Cistus
Cnidium
cod liver oil
copaiba oil
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
docosahexaenoic Acid
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
emu oil
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ethyl linoleate
European Elder
ferulic acid
Ficus religiosa
fish protein
frankincense
fumaric acid
gallic acid
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
Glucosylceramide
Glycolic acid
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
gooseberry
gotu kola
green tea
Hellebore
henna
hyaluronic acid
Hyperoside
isoliquiritigenin
jojoba oil
Kaempferol
knotweed
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Ledebouriella
lingzhi
linoleic acid (LA)
linseed oil
liverwort
loquat
luteolin
Lycium
magnesium
Marine fat
Marshmallow
melaleuca alternifolia
mixed carotenoids
Morus
Mucilage
Mulberry
Naringenin
Nettle
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleanolic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
Osthole
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
perilla
PhosphatidylGlycerol
phospholipids
Piperine
Polypodium
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
rockweed
Rubia cordifolia
Salmon Oil
Sanguisorba
Sargassum
sarsaparilla
seaweed
Semecarpus anacardium
Slippery Elm
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
sunflower
Tea Tree Oil
Thuja
turmeric
vegetable oil
Verbascoside
vitamin A
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Walnut
wheat grass
Withanolides
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Xanthorrhizol
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
Alzheimer's DiseaseAnxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Convulsions
Coordination
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Macular Degeneration
Memory and Brain Function
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Post Partum Depression
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Stress
Strokes
Triglycerides (high)
Products containing DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
Thorne
Advanced DHA
Vitabase
Brain Support
Vitabase
Complete Essential Fatty Acids
Pure Encapsulations
DHA Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations
DHA Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations
EFA Essentials
Pure Encapsulations
Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA essentials 1,000 mg
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA essentials 1,000 mg
Vitabase
EPA / DHA Omega-3
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA with Lemon
Pure Encapsulations
EPA Ultimate
Klean Athlete
Klean Omega ™
Douglas Laboratories
Krill Oil
Pure Encapsulations
Krill-Plex
Pure Encapsulations
Krill-Plex
Metagenics
MetaKids DHA
Metagenics
MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Metagenics
MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations
NeuroMood Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Omega
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Omega
Thorne
Omega-3 w/ CoQ10
Thorne
Omega Superb Lemon Berry
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Algae EPA-DHA 300 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics EPA DHA 2400 Fish Oil
Metagenics
OmegaGenics EPA-DHA 300 Lemon Lime
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil Mega 10®
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Neuro 1000 mg
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po Liquid
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Liquid
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Synergy
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Synergy
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ TG1000
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra DHA
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra with Vitamin D3, K1 and K2
Douglas Laboratories
Opti-EPA 500 ™ Cholesterol Free
Douglas Laboratories
Opti-EPA 500 ™ Cholesterol Free
Metagenics
PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Thorne
Prenatal DHA
Pure Encapsulations
Pro-Resolve Omega
Thorne
Pro-Resolving Mediators
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega HP
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega Liquid
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega Ultra HP
Pure Encapsulations
PureNutrients EPA/DHA
Douglas Laboratories
QÜELL® FISH OIL DHA Ultra SPM
Douglas Laboratories
QUELL Fish Oil ® - EPA/DHA Plus D
Metagenics
SPM Active
Thorne
Super EPA
Thorne
Super EPA NSF
Thorne
Super EPA Pro
Vitabase
Super Omega-3
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra G.L.A. Borage Oil
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra G.L.A. Borage Oil
Pure Encapsulations
Ultra Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Designs For Health
XanthOmega™ Krill Oil
