Possible Link Between Physical Fitness and Psoriasis

Our health can often feel like a delicate balancing act, and at times, we may not even be aware when we’ve done something to tip the scales into imbalance or disease. Infections, autoimmune diseases and sometimes cancer can hit us even when we feel like we’re doing everything right. Or, maybe, the connections just aren’t clear.

Well, a recent Swedish study suggests physical fitness levels could play a role in our risks of developing psoriasis. Here’s a breakdown of what they found.

Newest Findings on Psoriasis

Inactivity and poor attention to physical fitness can have a wide range of effects on the body, and researchers are only beginning to understand the extent of the repercussions. Previous findings have shown a link between low activity levels and many autoimmune diseases; more recent data shows connections specifically between poor cardiovascular fitness and immune dysfunction.

People with psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that primarily results in raised, itchy or painful patches of skin, are at particular risk of developing cardiovascular disease. These effects may take some time to show, prompting some researchers to consider the possibility that poor physical fitness stemming from a young age might contribute to the presence of psoriasis later in life.

The Swedish study split up psoriasis patients by physical fitness levels showed those with the poorest fitness levels were most likely to develop the autoimmune condition. People in moderate shape were less likely, and those in the fittest group were the least likely. Even adjusting for obesity, tobacco and other risk factors, long-term physical fitness appeared to be a major key to reducing later psoriasis risks.

Understanding the Link Between Fitness and Psoriasis

There may be additional risk factors to consider, and there are still many questions regarding details on the connections. More research may uncover the reasons why poor fitness appears to have such delayed effects and why the link to autoimmune diseases exists. At this point, all we can offer is speculation, but there’s still a takeaway. We might not understand why the risks go up, but we do know they go down with improved fitness, giving us a useful correlation and even a plan of action.

Autoimmune diseases like psoriasis can be complicated, and they may have more than one cause. But when it comes to assessing our risks of psoriasis, and possibly other autoimmune conditions, we might need to consider the cumulative effects of all our health-related decisions dating as far back as adolescence. Just as important, we might do the work to help young people understand how important their current choices are to their future health and well-being.

Copyright 2021, Wellness.com