Psoriasis and Copper

So I did some research at 5 am because I couldn't sleep.

No, actually it wasn't because I was cramping really badly from my new IUD - actually I hardly felt anything at all beyond what I consider normal level period cramps.

It was just because my brain decided the wee hours of the morning were wasted on sleeping when it could be thinking. We don't always agree on that, but usually the brain wins because it just keeps me up until I give in and look into what it's pondering about. The blessing and the curse of the internet being so convenient I suppose...

Anyways, I ended up looking into the effects of the copper IUD and Psoriasis just to see if anyone had reported any findings. This article is what I found, just in case you would like to read it yourself.

So apparently it has been found that an imbalance of copper and zinc in the body may be responsible for scaly outbreaks of hell. Basically there is often too much copper and not enough zinc in the majority of people with psoriasis. It is hypothesized that the copper IUD may cause psoriasis to flare up by adding more copper to the mix.

In my mind I am picturing a war between the two elements and copper is winning.

There was also a flash of, "Oh crap, what have I done?! I just put a whole vat of copper up in there and added to the copper army's resources!"

But again... Babies > Psoriasis. Babies are the bigger problem.

So I figured to at least even things out again I'll start taking a zinc supplement and try to eat more zinc rich foods. So what foods are zinc rich you might ask? Google says the top 10 foods highest in zinc are...

1. Seafood

2. Beef and Lamb

3. Wheat Germ

4. Spinach

5. Pumpkin and Squash Seeds

6. Nuts - Particularly Cashews

7. Cocoa and Chocolate (Yippie!!!)

8. Pork and Chicken

9. Beans

10.  Mushrooms

So I'll see if I can add some more of these to my diet and make sure I take some zinc supplements so I can at least even out this copper overload. If anyone else has tried this I'd appreciate a heads up on how it worked.


Side Note:


Oh and also my hair has grown another half inch after a week of stopping my use of the oil treatment. Awesome. I don't think that this discredits the oil use being helpful as it really just nourished the 'soil' aka my scalp so it would grow hair faster. I am back on the oil now and will do it bi-weekly as it suits me until this product runs out. Then I will use a natural oil. Maybe Almond, maybe Olive or maybe Coconut. I'll add the Lavender Oil for some soothing scents and bam. Hair concoction.

I really suggest using a spray bottle, it makes it much easier to apply and I find I don't feel my hair is as weighed down after.