MTXpert

INGREDIENTS

Nutritional support for methotrexate and other psoriasis treatments. Optimal treatment of psoriasis should be done in conjunction with a board-certified dermatologist.

We have designed our supplement based on recommendations by the National Psoriasis Foundation as well as commonly recommended supplementation by board-certified dermatologists. This is not a cure for psoriasis and is meant to support patients in their ongoing treatment.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3s help psoriasis symptoms by reducing inflammation. Omega-3s are a specific type of polyunsaturated fatty acid, meaning they contain more than one double bond in their chemical structure. The “3” refers to where in the chemical structure the first double bond occurs.

Your body is able to synthesize some saturated fatty acids, but you don’t have an enzyme that allows you to stick a double bond in the right spot to create omega-3s yourself. The three omega-3s found in food are:

• Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA): can be found in green, leafy vegetables, flaxseeds, chia seeds and canola, walnut and soybean oils.

• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA): is a 20-carbon fatty acid found in oily fish, algae oil and krill oil. Your body is able to synthesize this molecule in its original form.

• Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): is 22-carbon molecule, also found in oily fish, krill oil, and algae oil. Your body will convert some DHA molecules back to EPA’s in order to keep them at fairly equal levels if you consume more DHA.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is produced naturally in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight, hence its nickname the "Sunshine Vitamin". Although classified as a vitamin, it transforms into a hormone within the body. In this form, it is circulated in the bloodstream to help in the absorption of calcium and phosphorous that is received from digested food sources. Many patients with psoriasis are deficient in vitamin D at baseline and daily supplementation is needed. While topical synthetic vitamin Ds are used in psoriasis, these are distinct from oral supplements.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin: These occur naturally in and around the cells in the body. Glucosamine is thought to help collagen formation and inhibit inflammation. Chondroitin is thought to promote elasticity and inhibit the breakdown of collagen.

Collagen: The most abundant protein in our bodies, it’s found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system, and tendons. Collagen gives our skin strength and elasticity. When it comes to our joints and tendons, in simplest terms, it’s the “glue” that helps hold the body together.

Vitamin A: A fat-soluble vitamin that is good for healthy vision, skin, bones and other tissues in the body. Vitamin A often works as an antioxidant, fighting cell damage, but it also has many other uses. Preformed vitamin A, also called retinol, is found in animal products. Good sources are fortified milk, eggs, meat, cheese, liver, halibut fish oil, cream, and kidneys. Pro-vitamin A is found in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables. The most common type of pro-vitamin A is beta-carotene, a carotenoid that produces dark pigments in plant foods. This group of vitamins is used by dermatologists to treat psoriasis and a wide range of other skin conditions.

Folic Acid: Folic acid is a form of vitamin B9 that can dissolve in water. It is a key ingredient in the making of the nucleic acid that forms part of all genetic material. Vitamin B9 includes both folate and folic acid and is important for several functions in the body.

Regular consumption of folate or folic acid facilitates unhindered tissue growth and also allows cells to function smoothly. If a patient is being treated with methotrexate, folic acid supplementation helps to protect against the nausea and bone marrow suppression of the drug.

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Warnings

• Smokers, and possibly former smokers, should avoid multivitamins (MVM) products that provide more than 100% of the Daily Value for vitamin A (either as preformed retinol or beta-carotene or some combination of the two) because two studies have linked high supplemental doses of these nutrients with an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers.

• Taking excess amounts of vitamin A (preformed retinol form, not as beta-carotene) during pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of birth defects in infants.

• Except in cases of iron deficiency or inadequacy, or unless a physician recommends otherwise, adult males and postmenopausal women should avoid using iron supplements or MVMs containing more than their Recommended Daily Allowance for iron (8 mg/day). Iron supplements may be recommended for women of childbearing age, pregnant women, preterm infants, older infants, and teenage girls because they are at greater risk of developing a deficiency. Yet, iron supplements are a leading cause of poisoning in young children, so parents and guardians should keep iron-containing supplements out of the reach of children.

• MVMs providing nutrients at or up to 100% of the US recommended daily allowance do not typically interact with medications, but it is always recommended to discuss a supplement with your doctor or pharmacists before taking.