Diet, sleep, and exercise in inflammatory skin diseases

Our Dermatol Online. 2023;14(4):430-435. doi: 10.7241/ourd.20234.21.

Abstract

Inflammatory skin conditions are significantly impacted by lifestyle habits, particularly those related to diet, exercise, and sleep. Although ancient cultures emphasized the importance of lifestyle behaviors as both etiology and therapy in disease, modern medicine often overlooks nonpharmacological therapy. However, recent studies show that diet can have a significant impact on inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and atopic dermatitis. Foods high in glycemic index, advanced glycation end-products, and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with obesity and systemic inflammation, which can exacerbate inflammatory skin diseases. In addition, lifestyle behaviors such as exercise and sleep have been shown to have positive effects on inflammatory skin diseases. This review aims to highlight the importance of lifestyle behaviors in the context of inflammation and inflammatory dermatoses.

Keywords: Diet; Exercise; Inflammation; Psoriasis; Skin; Sleep.