Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
Published on: January 5, 2017
Do dietary supplements of fish oils improve psoriasis?
1Psoriasis Research Institute, Palo Alto, California 94301.
Abstract:
In theory, a number of skin and systemic diseases with an inflammatory component should be improved by dietary intake of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids, usually of marine origin. The most significant is eicosapentaenoic acid, which may substitute for arachidonic acid in tissue. Inflammation mediators derived from the former compound are much less active biologically, and also can inhibit the chemotactic behavior of leukotrienes derived from arachidonic acid. A number of studies have appeared describing the effects of such dietary manipulation in patients with psoriasis. Some reports credit fish oil ingestion with moderate improvement of the disease, but problems in the design of these studies have led to criticism of the results.
Related Concept Videos
Structure of Lipids
Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Atherosclerosis III: Management

