Efficacy of Two Algae Formulations on Lipid Metabolism, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Status in Individuals With Psoriasis (PCA)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and females with clinically diagnosed psoriasis
• Plasma LDL-C 80-190 mg/dL, and TG levels below 400 mg/dL.
• Body mass index (BMI) range will be 22 to 32 kg/m2.
• Subjects must demonstrate an ability to understand dietary procedures and be judged as compliant and motivated by the investigators.
• Subjects will be permitted to take stable doses of medications (including drugs for thyroid disease and hypertension)will be permitted if the dose level is maintained stable throughout the study.
• potential subjects must have stable psoriasis and their treatments must remain constant throughout the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• recent (i.e. less than 3 mo) or chronic use of oral hypolipidemic therapy, including fish oils, or probucol within the last 6 mo
• history of chronic use of alcohol (>2 drinks/d), systemic antibodies, corticosteroids, androgens, or phenytoin
• subjects on anticoagulant therapy (such as warfarin), taking medications and/or natural health products known to affect lipid metabolism (cholestyramine, colestipol, niacin, clofibrate, gemfibrozil, probucol, HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, high dose dietary supplements or fish oil capsules (>4g/day), guggul, lecithin, evening primrose oil within the last six month period will be excluded. In addition, subjects will not be allowed to consume any of these medications during the study
• myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass, or other major surgical procedures within the last six months
• recent onset and any history of angina, congestive heart failure, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, lactose intolerance gastrointestinal, renal, pulmonary, hepatic or biliary disease, or cancer
• moderate or high risk for CAD
• uncontrolled hypertension defined as untreated systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 100 mmHg
• pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the course of the trial
• bleeding disorder, anemia, or significant recent blood loss/donation
• allergy/sensitivity to any of the ingredients in the study product or placebo
• chronic user of algal products, fiber laxative (greater than 2 doses/wk), or stimulant laxatives or has a history of eating disorders, exercise greater than 15 miles/wk or 4,000 kcal/wk.