Naturopathic Psoriasis Treatment in Toronto
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition – which means the most effective treatment goes well beyond the skin.
Book a free 15-minute discovery call with Dr. Trotter, ND – discuss your psoriasis and find out how naturopathic care can help.
Understanding Psoriasis as a Whole-Body Condition
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly accelerates skin cell turnover, causing cells to build up rapidly on the skin’s surface. The result is the thickened, silvery, scaly plaques most commonly seen on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back – though psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body and presents differently from person to person.
The most common form is plaque psoriasis, but several subtypes exist including guttate psoriasis (small, drop-shaped lesions, often following a streptococcal infection), inverse psoriasis (affecting skin folds), and palmoplantar psoriasis (affecting the palms and soles). Psoriasis can also be associated with psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory joint condition that affects up to 30% of psoriasis patients.
Conventional treatment typically relies on topical corticosteroids, vitamin D or vitamin A derivatives, or – for more severe presentations – oral or injectable immunosuppressant medications. These can be effective at controlling symptoms, but they manage the immune response rather than addressing why it became dysregulated in the first place, and they can come with dependency and side effects over time.
At Zentai Wellness Centre, Dr. Makoto Trotter, ND takes a root-cause approach to psoriasis – addressing the gut health, systemic inflammation, and immune dysregulation that drive the condition. With over 20 years of clinical experience in downtown Toronto, Dr. Trotter has helped many patients reduce flare frequency and severity, and in some cases reduce their reliance on topical or systemic immunosuppressants.
Psoriasis is never just a skin problem – it’s a window into what’s happening with the immune system as a whole. In my experience, patients who address gut health and systemic inflammation alongside their skin care see far more durable improvement than those who only manage the visible symptoms.
– Dr. Makoto Trotter, ND
What Causes Psoriasis?
Psoriasis has a genetic component – patients often have family members with psoriasis or other autoimmune conditions. But genetics alone do not explain why psoriasis develops when it does, or why severity fluctuates over time. Several modifiable factors are now well recognized as contributing to psoriasis onset and flares:
Leaky gut and intestinal permeability
There is a well-established connection between leaky gut syndrome and autoimmune skin conditions including psoriasis. When the gut lining becomes more permeable, undigested food particles, bacterial fragments, and other antigens enter the bloodstream, triggering immune responses that can manifest as skin inflammation. Restoring gut barrier integrity is frequently one of the most impactful interventions for psoriasis patients. Dr. Trotter has written extensively on this connection in The Complete Leaky Gut Health & Diet Guide.
Gut microbiome dysbiosis
An imbalanced gut microbiome is increasingly implicated in psoriasis severity. Specific patterns of dysbiosis have been associated with increased inflammatory cytokine production that drives the skin cell turnover characteristic of psoriasis. Addressing the microbiome through targeted probiotic and dietary strategies is a growing area of evidence-based psoriasis care.
Systemic inflammation
Psoriasis is associated with elevated systemic inflammatory markers, and patients with psoriasis have higher rates of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance than the general population. This is not coincidental – chronic inflammation is a shared driver across these conditions. Reducing the overall inflammatory burden through diet and lifestyle is a core component of naturopathic psoriasis treatment.
Food sensitivities and dietary triggers
Many psoriasis patients identify specific dietary triggers that worsen flares – gluten sensitivity in particular has a well-documented association with psoriasis severity, even in patients without celiac disease. Food sensitivity testing can help identify individual triggers that may not be obvious through diet alone.
Stress
Psychological stress is one of the most commonly reported flare triggers by psoriasis patients themselves. Stress drives cortisol and inflammatory cytokine release that can directly worsen psoriasis activity, and the visible nature of psoriasis often creates a difficult cycle where the condition itself becomes a source of additional stress.
Infections
Streptococcal throat infections are a well-known trigger for guttate psoriasis, particularly in younger patients. Other infections and immune triggers can similarly activate or worsen psoriasis in genetically susceptible individuals.
The broader autoimmune connection
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition with the same root-cause drivers as many other autoimmune diseases – gut health, systemic inflammation, and immune dysregulation. Learn more about naturopathic autoimmune support and how these shared mechanisms are addressed across autoimmune conditions at our clinic.
Tired of managing flares without addressing what’s driving them?
A naturopathic psoriasis assessment with Dr. Trotter identifies your specific triggers and builds a plan to address them at the root.
Book your free 15-minute discover call.
How Dr. Trotter Assesses Psoriasis
A naturopathic psoriasis assessment looks well beyond the visible skin presentation. It typically includes:
- Detailed history covering flare patterns, triggers, family history, and prior treatments including any current topical or systemic medications
- Food sensitivity testing to identify individual dietary triggers, including assessment for gluten sensitivity
- Leaky gut permeability testing where intestinal permeability is suspected as a driver
- GI microbiome analysis where gut dysbiosis is suspected as a contributing factor
- LifeLabs blood panels including inflammatory markers, fasting glucose and insulin, and lipid panel given the metabolic associations of psoriasis
- Assessment of stress patterns and lifestyle factors that may be triggering or worsening flares
Naturopathic Treatment Approaches for Psoriasis
Gut healing and microbiome restoration
Where leaky gut or dysbiosis is identified, a targeted gut healing protocol is implemented – including dietary modification, pre- and probiotic support, and specific gut-repair nutraceuticals. This is frequently the highest-yield intervention for patients with a significant gut component to their psoriasis.
Anti-inflammatory and elimination dietary protocols
A personalized nutrition plan removes identified dietary triggers and emphasizes anti-inflammatory whole foods. Gluten elimination is commonly trialled given its documented association with psoriasis severity, alongside broader anti-inflammatory dietary strategies.
Targeted supplementation
Evidence-informed supplements for psoriasis include omega-3 fatty acids for their anti-inflammatory effect, vitamin D – which plays a direct role in regulating skin cell turnover and immune function and is frequently deficient in psoriasis patients, and probiotics with specific evidence for skin and immune benefits. All supplementation is individualized based on your specific presentation and test results.
Herbal medicine
Specific botanical medicines with anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties support psoriasis management from the inside out. Selection is individualized based on your specific triggers and overall health picture.
Topical and skincare support
Dr. Trotter recommends appropriate skincare for psoriasis patients, prioritizing products that hydrate and support the skin barrier while being hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and formulated with clean ingredients – supporting both the skin directly and your broader internal health goals.
Stress management and acupuncture
Given how consistently stress is reported as a flare trigger, acupuncture and lifestyle counselling are incorporated to support nervous system regulation and reduce the stress-driven inflammatory burden that can worsen psoriasis activity.
Collaboration with your dermatologist
Dr. Trotter works alongside dermatologists and does not advise patients to discontinue prescribed topical or systemic medications without medical guidance. Naturopathic care works alongside conventional dermatological treatment – addressing root causes while your dermatologist manages the visible presentation, often allowing for reduced reliance on medication over time as underlying drivers are addressed.
Why Choose Dr. Trotter for Psoriasis Treatment in Toronto?
- Over 20 years of clinical experience treating autoimmune skin conditions in downtown Toronto
- Deep expertise in the gut-skin connection – author of The Complete Leaky Gut Health & Diet Guide, with extensive clinical experience addressing gut health as a root cause of skin conditions
- Whole-body assessment – addresses gut health, inflammation, and immune function, not just topical symptom management
- Access to advanced testing including food sensitivity panels, leaky gut testing, and gut microbiome analysis
- Collaborative approach – works alongside your dermatologist or GP
- Conveniently located in downtown Toronto at Zentai Wellness Centre, 120 Carlton Street, Suite 302
- Telehealth available for patients across Ontario – learn more
Frequently Asked Questions
Can naturopathic medicine cure psoriasis?
Naturopathic medicine does not claim to cure psoriasis – it is a chronic autoimmune condition with a genetic component. What naturopathic care can achieve is meaningful reduction in flare frequency and severity by addressing the underlying gut health, inflammatory, and immune drivers. Many patients experience significant and lasting improvement, and some are able to reduce their reliance on topical or systemic medications over time in consultation with their dermatologist.
Is psoriasis really connected to gut health?
Yes – this connection is well supported by current research. Leaky gut syndrome and gut microbiome dysbiosis are associated with the systemic inflammation that drives psoriasis activity. Patients with significant digestive symptoms alongside their psoriasis often see meaningful skin improvement once gut health is addressed.
Should I try a gluten-free diet for psoriasis?
It may be worth trialling, particularly given the documented association between gluten sensitivity and psoriasis severity – even in patients without celiac disease. Rather than guessing, food sensitivity testing can help identify whether gluten or other specific foods are contributing to your flares, allowing for a more targeted dietary approach than blanket elimination.
Can I stop my prescription psoriasis medication if I work with a naturopath?
No – and Dr. Trotter would never advise discontinuing prescribed topical or systemic medication without your dermatologist’s guidance. Naturopathic care works alongside conventional dermatological treatment, not instead of it. As underlying drivers are addressed, some patients find their dermatologist is able to reduce their medication dose or frequency over time – but this is always a decision made with your prescribing physician.
Is psoriasis linked to other health conditions?
Yes – psoriasis patients have higher rates of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and psoriatic arthritis than the general population, reflecting the shared inflammatory mechanisms underlying these conditions. This is one reason a comprehensive assessment – rather than a skin-only approach – is so important. See also: naturopathic autoimmune support and naturopathic metabolic health support.
How long does it take to see improvement with naturopathic psoriasis treatment?
Most patients begin to notice meaningful changes in flare frequency and severity within 8-12 weeks of starting a targeted treatment plan, though this varies depending on how long the condition has been present and the specific drivers involved. Skin conditions with a strong autoimmune component generally respond gradually rather than dramatically, and consistency with the treatment plan is important for durable results.
Related Conditions & Services
- Naturopathic Autoimmune Support
- Leaky Gut Syndrome
- Eczema
- Acne
- Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)
- Naturopathic Metabolic Health
- Food Sensitivity Testing
- Leaky Gut Permeability Test
- Dr. Trotter’s Leaky Gut Book
Get to the Root Cause of Your Psoriasis
If you are struggling with chronic, persistent psoriasis flares and feel like you are only ever managing the surface, a naturopathic assessment can help you understand what is driving the condition – and build a plan to address it from the inside out.
Book a consultation today to start your personalized psoriasis treatment plan.
No referral required. Available in Toronto and virtually across Ontario.
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