External Medicine
DISCLAIMER: This website is a collection of primary literature and the opinions of the website creators on that literature. It is not intended to be used for the practice of medicine or the delivery of medical care in the absence of other appropriate credentials (like a medical degree). Discuss any information with your doctor before pursuing treatments mentioned on this site.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
What is "Natural" or "Organic"
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We hear a lot about "natural" and "organic" now. To a large extent with food these terms make sense: we want to consume things that are as close to what they are in their "natural" states as possible to avoid chemicals and other additives that could contaminate them. However, even with foods this term is frequently conflated, assuming that things that are vegan or vegetarian are by definition more likely to be natural and organic, which is plainly false (a 100% grass fed organic all beef burger patty is undeniable more natural than an Impossible Burger patty).
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When it comes to things we put on our skin, how are the terms "natural" and "organic" relevant or applied, and what is the value of products being labeled as such? An article in the September 2024 issue of "The Dermatologist" explores some of these concepts and is a good starting point. Importantly, they point out in the article that there is no standard definition of natural organic when it comes to medications or other skin products. One definition the article provides is: coming from or begin made in living cells, or, those derived from substances produced by human, plant, or animal cells. They break this up into 3 categories of said products:
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Traditional natural products - includes things like petroleum jelly, coconut, avocado, olive oils, shea butter, aloe vera, fumarates, etc.
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Minerals - zinc, titanium, copper, silica, etc.
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Prescription medications - vitamin A derivatives (retinoids), biologics, corticosteroids, etc.
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Psoriasis
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122 patients with mean PASI of 3.1 and mean 25OHD of 14.9 ng/mL were randomized to vitamin D supplementation or not. After 4 months of vitamin D supplementation (loading dose 100,000 IU then 20,000 weekly), treatment arm levels rose to 29.7 ng/mL. There was no difference in PASI. (36988936)
Seborrheic Dermatitis
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https://www.seborrheic-dermatitis-cure.com/#ref
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Diet and herbal remedy based approach proposed by Scott Kramer at trustnature.com. Not sure what his credentials are but he at least provides some citations of peer-reviewed literature that purportedly support his claims.
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