Written based on 25 research studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11..
The claim
Posts online say that omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) helps with psoriasis.
Where research stands
We found 51 published papers on omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and psoriasis. They were published between 1986 and 2023. 8 of them are studies in people. 8 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 4 were studies in animals, and 3 were only in cells in the lab. 10 papers are reviews that sum up other studies.
- 8In people8 with a comparison group
- 4In animals
- 3Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) has been tested in randomised trials in people with psoriasis.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- Combination therapy with low-dose etretinate and eicosapentaenoic acid for psoriasis vulgaris.1998 · J Dermatol · Randomised trial
- Omega-3 fatty acid-based lipid infusion in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.1998 · J Am Acad Dermatol · Randomised trial
- Highly purified omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids for topical treatment of psoriasis. Results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study.1993 · Br J Dermatol · Randomised trial
- Topical fish oil in psoriasis--a controlled and blind study.1992 · Clin Exp Dermatol · Randomised trial
- The role of fish oil in psoriasis. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of fish oil and topical corticosteroid therapy in psoriasis.1990 · Int J Dermatol · Randomised trial
- Double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of fish oil and low-dose UVB in the treatment of psoriasis.1989 · Br J Dermatol · Randomised trial
- Does fish oil protect renal function in cyclosporin-treated psoriasis patients?1989 · J Intern Med · Randomised trial
- A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of fish oil in psoriasis.1988 · Lancet · Randomised trial
- Efficacy of fish oil and its components in the management of psoriasis: a systematic review of 18 randomized controlled trials.2020 · Nutr Rev · Review
- Omega-3 Versus Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases.2020 · Int J Mol Sci · Review
- Effects of fish oil supplement on psoriasis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2019 · BMC Complement Altern Med · Review
- Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on disease severity in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review.2017 · Int J Rheum Dis · Review
- Omega-3 fatty acids as pharmacotherapeutics in psoriasis: current status and scope of nanomedicine in its effective delivery.2013 · Curr Drug Targets · Review
- Is there a role for topically delivered eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of psoriasis?2007 · Eur J Dermatol · Review
- Comparison of the dietary omega-3 fatty acids impact on murine psoriasis-like skin inflammation and associated lipid dysfunction.2023 · J Nutr Biochem · In animals
- Genetic deletion of Cyp4f18 disrupts the omega-3 epoxidation pathway and results in psoriasis-like dermatitis.2022 · FASEB J · In animals
- Probing the effects of fish oil on the delivery and inflammation-inducing potential of imiquimod.2015 · Int J Pharm · In animals
- Guinea pig epidermis generates putative anti-inflammatory metabolites from fish oil polyunsaturated fatty acids.1989 · Lipids · In animals
- Biological action of docosahexaenoic acid in a 3D tissue-engineered psoriatic skin model: Focus on the PPAR signaling pathway.2021 · Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids · In the lab
- Investigation of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Biological Activity in a Tissue-Engineered Skin Model Involving Psoriatic Cells.2021 · J Invest Dermatol · In the lab
- The effect of highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid in patients with psoriasis.1989 · Adv Prostaglandin Thromboxane Leukot Res · In the lab
- Eicosapentaenoic Acid Influences the Lipid Profile of an In Vitro Psoriatic Skin Model Produced with T Cells.2023 · Biomolecules · Other paper
- Eicosapentaenoic acid reduces the proportion of IL-17A-producing T cells in a 3D psoriatic skin model.2023 · J Lipid Res · Other paper
- Dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid does not ameliorate pruritus in murine models of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.2019 · J Dermatol Sci · Other paper
- Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation on Quality of Life in Patients with Psoriasis: A Digital Survey-based Study.2019 · Acta Derm Venereol · Other paper
