Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative

[PFR226]

Has anyone had any success with Dr. John Pagano's book, Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative? I've been reading it and it does make sense. It seems worthy of a try, but the topical treatments he suggests (peanut oil/olive oil) seem a bit out dated. What have been people's experiences with this treatment?

[kriely]

I read the book also and followed most of the recomendations. I had some clearing but not what he claims. It's pretty tough to follow everything!!! Good luck

[rhop]

Hi - This subject comes up about every 3 months on this message board - and there has been lively debate about it, almost contentious sometimes. Those who swear by alternative medical treatments in general like the book, and those who put their faith in traditional medical approaches find the book unhelpful. My own belief is that although the book espouses what is probably a very healthy way to eat, in general, it doesn't account for the fact that there are MILLIONS of people out there who survive on Big Macs, chips, Twinkies and beer, and have never developed P. There are also many, many who have limited their fat, eaten raw or organic foods, eliminated nightshade family (tomatoes, eggplant, potatos), citrus, dairy, wheat etc. etc. etc. and still have developed p. and p.a. There has never been a scientifically proven connection between diet and P. However, eating well can certainly cause our body systems to function better, including our immune system, so if you are willing to trade your normal diet for one that is exceptionally restrictive, don't do it thinking it's a cure - it may be a healthful adjunct treatment, but it will not cure P. Please let us know the results after 6 months on this. The problem, it seems to me, is that nobody has ever scientfically surveyed the adherents to the diet, to see the REAL percentages of those helped - we only have the author's testimonials, and he has a financial stake in selling more books! Rosemary

[rosee_posey]

From an experienced P:

I read the book,
I followed the book,
I sold my book.

My experience.
- rose

[bebaki]

I too bought the Pagano book...I even bought his new "cookbook" hoping it would help me with the plan. I followed the principles for 6 months even going so far as to do the home enemas regularly and did not see any clearing whatsoever. If you are curious about this book I would try to get it from the library before spending my money on it as I feel it was a waste for me. Im sure it worked for some people but certainly not everyone.

[rosee_posey]

As far as a treatment for P goes,
Just say NO to the Hose in the Hiney!!!!!

http://www.ncahf.org/pp/colonic.html

(for other things, like constipation, maybe...but I ain't a doc, so I couldn't tell ya....)

[PTener]

Hi,

I bought Rose's book. I followed the book. I found no relief.

I had followed and even stricter diet regime for 2 1/2 years because of allergies. Although my ps improved to a small degree, it never went away.

Peggy

[rednose]

Does anyone know of a Canadian support group esp. in Victoria, BC?
I'd appreciate knowing.

Arnie

[wildflowerAnn]

Hi Rednose,
Can't answer your question about support groups in Canada, but just wanted to say welcome and glad you found this support group.
Ann

[lauragld]

If you go to the message board called "Clearing Up! from psoriasis" you will be able to read about many people currently following Pagano's book and the levels of success they have experienced past and present.

Hope this helps.......

Laura in NY


Has anyone had any success with Dr. John Pagano's book, Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative? I've been reading it and it does make sense. It seems worthy of a try, but the topical treatments he suggests (peanut oil/olive oil) seem a bit out dated. What have been people's experiences with this treatment?

[Margueratt]

I've been trying to follow the diet part of Pagano's book to a certain degree...it seems to be working, but isn't easy.....also, Rednose...there aren't any support groups in Canada unless you live in the Maritime provinces...and there's only one there...(Nova Scotia)..soo...I use this site...it's great..

[Dulane]

I am doing well on a Pagano type diet, which I have modified for my benefit after more than a year on it.

I have P and Pa, but both are very minimal by comparison to last year. I take no pain pills or prescription drugs, because I don't need them.

I think Pagano's diet works for some with P, but a better diet works for all. And I could see a reduction in inflammation very quickly after starting the diet.

I have added probiotics (acidophilus and enzymes) and I seldom eat wheat or corn, because they don't agree with me.

Here is a link to a recent post by another person using diet and supplements...who went to a holistic clinic in Australia. She has seen progress. She mentions the supplements that she takes, so you can see her what her therapy entailed.

http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19611

:)

[beachgirl]

I have been following Pagano's diet for 2-3 weeks now, and am seeing great results already. I have also tried a much stricter diet (macrobiotics) before with even faster results. I even saw moderate results in both my p and pa when I tried Suzanne Somer! Saying diet doesn't work is just not true. Why is it then that P is non existant in starvation? I always found it amazing that the same doctor that told me about this documented fact, went right on to say that diet has no effect on P, almost in the same sentence. :confused:
I don't have the time right now as what I have is in books and I would have to type it all out, but I can list a dozen nutrient related studies that have been done that have helped p.

Just as it can be questioned that Pagano is making up all those stories backed by documented photos, because there have not been any scientific studies done, it can also be said that perhaps the diet was not followed closely enough by those for whom it did not work, or perhaps there are underlying allergies to such things as wheat, corn and dairly, which are allowed in Pagano's diet but need to be avoided for that particular individual.

I have been doing my best on the diet, I haven't done the diet to the letter, and am already seeing results. And if it fails I would not be blaming the method, I would be putting the blame on myself for not doing all that was suggested. Colonics for example: hypothetically, if it's something that crucial to my body and I don't do it, I may not get the benefits of the program. But since I have had good results with other diets without doing colonics I'm taking a calculated risk that the diet and teas would alone help. And if it doesn't work, I would need to reconsider that, or take a closer look at allergens. He clearly explains about allergens in the book. For example, the reason why I didn't get as good a results on S.Somers (which is very similar btw), is probably because I ate all the daily I wanted, and I'm pretty positive it does not agree with me. At the time I was doing it for weight loss after childbirth, partial clearing of my p and pa was just a nice side effect.

The ONLY drawback to diet is that it is difficult to follow especially for a long time. But name one alleopathic treatment that doesn't have any drawbacks and I'll stand corrected. It comes back to how bad your p is, and how badly you want to get rid of it. A total clearing is something that's only happened to me so far by following the macrobiotics diet. I'm trying Pagano because it's a lot easier to follow for a long time, and if it continues to work the way it is, I know I can stay with it with a few cheatings here and there.

PFR: in response to your original post, since you already have the book, read it, decide if you want to implement it, and if you do and it doesn't work the worse "side effect" you would get would be a healthy weight loss, a cleansed and stronger body. It's going to have to be your own personal decision. Don't let people talk you out of it, think for yourself.

Wishing you all the best.

[MikeK]

Hi Arnie,

Welcome to the Board! :cool: Nice to meet you.

You asked:Does anyone know of a Canadian support group esp. in Victoria, BC?
I'd appreciate knowing.

ArnieI just came from the Psoriasis Society of Canada's website. They appear to be a very small organization. Their website says that one of their goals is to "form support groups across Canada". They also say something about having "affiliated chapters". Unfortunately, there's no information beyond that. They also don't have an e-mail address. They're in Halifax, which I know is all the way on the across the country from you. You might want to send them a letter. Here's a link to their website: http://www.psoriasissociety.org/index.htm#. Their contact information is at the end of this post.

I hope this helps.

Good luck. Keep us posted. Let us know if you have any questions and please don't be a stranger.

Mike