Personalised Functional Medicine Approach for Psoriasis
At The Autoimmune Clinic, we specialise in supporting individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis using a root-cause, functional medicine approach.
WE GO BEYOND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT TO UNCOVER WHAT IS DRIVING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM, HELPING YOU REDUCE FLARE-UPS, SUPPORT SKIN HEALING, AND IMPROVE LONG-TERM HEALTH.
Psoriasis is not just a skin condition – it is a systemic, immune-mediated disease. We help you uncover and address the root drivers so you can take back control of your health.
Understanding Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated condition that speeds up skin cell turnover, leading to inflamed, scaly plaques that can be itchy, painful, and emotionally distressing.
Psoriasis affects up to 3% of the population and is associated with systemic inflammation, increasing the risk of:
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Psoriatic arthritis (joint pain and swelling)
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Cardiovascular disease
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Metabolic syndrome
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Mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression
Common symptoms include:
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Red, inflamed plaques with silvery scales
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Itching, burning, or soreness
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Cracked or bleeding skin
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Nail pitting, thickening, or discolouration
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Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
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Fatigue linked to systemic inflammation
Because psoriasis is visible, it often has a significant emotional and psychological impact, affecting self-esteem and confidence. We address both the physical and emotional burden in our care plans.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory form of arthritis that can develop alongside psoriasis, often years after skin symptoms first appear.
It may cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness in the joints and can also affect tendons and ligaments, leading to enthesitis. Up to 30% of people with psoriasis will eventually develop PsA, making early detection essential to prevent irreversible joint damage, loss of mobility, and long-term disability.
Early warning signs include joint pain and swelling, morning stiffness that improves with movement, pain in the lower back or sacroiliac joints, swollen fingers or toes (known as dactylitis), heel or tendon pain, and a noticeable reduction in range of motion accompanied by fatigue. Identifying these symptoms promptly allows intervention before permanent joint damage occurs.
At The Autoimmune Clinic, we explore inflammatory markers, gut health, and nutrient status through functional testing to understand the underlying drivers. Our approach focuses on reducing immune activation through anti-inflammatory nutrition, optimising omega-3 intake, and repairing gut integrity.
We integrate stress management techniques to help reduce flare-ups. We also prioritise nutrient repletion, such as vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc, to support joint tissue repair and modulate inflammation. By combining these strategies, we work to slow disease progression, alleviate pain, and preserve long-term mobility and quality of life.
A Functional Medicine Approach: Getting to the Root Cause
Psoriasis is not simply a skin problem but an outward sign of deeper immune activation. Our functional medicine approach focuses on uncovering the underlying triggers that keep the immune system in an overactive state.
CHRONIC INFLAMMATION & OXIDATIVE STRESS
Persistent inflammation increases flare frequency and severity, often perpetuated by infections, toxin exposure, poor sleep, or highly processed diets. We focus on reducing these sources of inflammation while improving antioxidant defences through nutrition and lifestyle.
Research consistently links gut microbiome imbalances and intestinal permeability with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Overgrowth of certain bacteria or yeast can prime the immune system, while a compromised gut barrier allows bacterial fragments, food particles, and toxins to enter the bloodstream and drive inflammation.
FOOD PROTEIN TRIGGERS
Gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, and nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, potatoes) can provoke immune responses in susceptible individuals. We use elimination diets or targeted testing to identify which foods may be contributing to flares.
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES
Low levels of vitamin D, zinc, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids are frequently observed in psoriasis and can impair immune regulation, slow skin healing, and promote oxidative stress. We assess nutrient status and create tailored repletion plans.
ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS
Infections, alcohol use, toxin exposure, mould exposure and medications can aggravate psoriasis. Identifying and mitigating these exposures can dramatically reduce flare intensity.
HORMONAL SHIFTS
Puberty, postpartum periods, and perimenopause can all contribute to disease onset or worsening by influencing immune regulation and skin turnover.
STRESS & NERVOUS SYSTEM DYSREGULATION
Emotional stress, trauma, and periods of high pressure frequently precede flares. By integrating stress management and nervous system regulation techniques, we help reduce the inflammatory impact of stress on the skin.
Our Approach to Psoriasis
✔️ 90-minutes initial consultation
We begin with an in-depth conversation about your full health history, current symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. This allows us to connect the dots, understand your triggers, and start mapping out a personalised path forward.
✔️ Identify your possible root causes
Where appropriate, we recommend advanced functional testing to investigate gut health, immune activity, nutrient status, and potential environmental triggers. This detailed assessment helps us target the true drivers of inflammation rather than just treating the symptoms.
✔️ Personalise your nutrition plan
We design an anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense dietary strategy to support skin healing, calm the immune system, and restore gut health. This includes step-by-step guidance for food eliminations and reintroductions to identify triggers.
✔️ Targeted supplementation
Evidence-based supplements are chosen to correct nutrient deficiencies, promote skin barrier repair, balance inflammation, and optimise immune function. Your plan is tailored to your tolerance and needs.
✔️ Nervous system & stress support
We provide practical tools to regulate the stress response and improve resilience, such as vagus nerve support, mindfulness techniques, and pacing strategies, helping to reduce the impact of stress on your skin.
✔️ Ongoing support
We support clients over a period of 3–6 months or longer if needed, offering monthly reviews to monitor progress, adjust interventions, and ensure you feel understood and supported at every step.
At The Autoimmune Clinic, we understand that psoriasis is a complex, immune-driven condition that requires a personalised and layered approach.
Rather than focusing solely on symptom relief, we work with you to uncover and address the deeper drivers of your flares — including gut dysbiosis, food reactivities, nutrient deficiencies, chronic inflammation, stress and nervous system dysregulation, hormonal influences, and environmental triggers.
Our functional medicine approach consists of:
Meet Muriel & Claire,
your expert health practitioners
Our practitioners are BANT registered nutritional therapists and functional medicine practitioners, with a real passion to help others achieve optimal health.
You can read more about Muriel and Claire on our Meet the Team page.