WebMD Medical News Laura J. Martin, MD May 24, 2012 -- Here's
yet another reason to exercise: A new study suggests that
vigorous physical activity could reduce the risk of psoriasis.
The findings come out of the long-running Nurses' Health Study,
which includes only women, but previous research suggests that
exercise may also protect men against the chronic skin
condition, characterized mostly by inflamed, scaly patches. As
many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, according to the
National Psoriasis Foundation, which says it's the most common
autoimmune disease. Men and women are equally affected. Previous
research has linked higher body mass index, or BMI, family
history of psoriasis, alcohol use, and smoking to the risk of
psoriasis. In the new study, scientists followed nearly 87,000
female nurses for 14 years. None of them had been diagnosed with
psoriasis at the beginning of the study. Over the course of the
study, the nurses completed three detailed questionnaires about
physical activity and were a