DID YOU KNOW: Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the skin and joints, can increase the risk for heart attack and is preventable.
WHAT’S HAPPENING: In a study of 500,000 participants, poor lifestyle (overweight or obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, and poor diet) was associated with psoriasis in 32% vs 13% in the high genetic risk group for psoriasis.
WHY IT MATTERS: 36% of the US population has psoriasis.
BOTTOM LINE: Lifestyle is more important than genetics in psoriasis. A healthy lifestyle as promoted by the American Heart Association’s Simple 7 can make a huge difference.
Read these references by clicking on the links:
Br J Dermatol, 2014 Sep;171(3):580-7. doi: 10.1111/bjd.13155.Epub 2014 Aug 11.
JAMA. 2006;296(14):1735-1741. doi:10.1001/jama.296.14.1735