Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the skin and joints. It causes red, scaly, and often very itchy patches on the skin.

Psoriasis is a complex disease that has been linked to a number of other health conditions, including metabolic syndrome.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The conditions that make up metabolic syndrome include:.

High blood pressure
High blood sugar
High levels of triglycerides
Low levels of HDL cholesterol
Excess abdominal fat

What is the Connection Between Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome?

Research has shown that there is a strong link between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome. Several studies have found that people with psoriasis are more likely to have metabolic syndrome than people without psoriasis.

In fact, one study found that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in people with psoriasis was as high as 40%.

There are several possible explanations for the link between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome:.

Inflammation: Both psoriasis and metabolic syndrome are conditions that are characterized by chronic inflammation. It is possible that the inflammation associated with psoriasis contributes to the development of metabolic syndrome.
Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance is a key component of metabolic syndrome. There is evidence to suggest that people with psoriasis may be more likely to develop insulin resistance, which could contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome.
Genetics: It is possible that there may be genetic factors that contribute to both psoriasis and metabolic syndrome.

What are the Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome often goes undiagnosed, as many people do not have any symptoms. However, some warning signs that you may have metabolic syndrome include:.

Belly fat: If you have excess abdominal fat, you may be at risk for metabolic syndrome.
High blood pressure: If your blood pressure is consistently above 130/80, you may have metabolic syndrome.
High blood sugar: If your fasting blood sugar is above 100 mg/dL, you may have metabolic syndrome.
High triglycerides: If your triglyceride levels are above 150 mg/dL, you may have metabolic syndrome.
Low HDL cholesterol: If your HDL cholesterol is below 40 mg/dL for men or below 50 mg/dL for women, you may have metabolic syndrome.

How is Metabolic Syndrome Treated?

The treatment for metabolic syndrome usually involves making lifestyle changes, such as:.

Losing weight: Losing just 5-10% of your body weight can help improve your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
Exercising regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, most days of the week.
Eating a healthy diet: Focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods, and limit your intake of sugar, saturated fat, and processed foods.
Quitting smoking: Smoking can worsen the effects of metabolic syndrome, so quitting smoking is an important step in managing the condition.

In some cases, medications may be necessary to control certain aspects of metabolic syndrome, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

What Can You Do if You Have Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome?

If you have both psoriasis and metabolic syndrome, it is important to see a healthcare provider who can work with you to manage both conditions.

In addition to making lifestyle changes to manage metabolic syndrome, there are also treatments available to help manage psoriasis.

Some treatments for psoriasis may actually have a positive effect on metabolic syndrome. For example, some studies have found that biologic medications used to treat psoriasis may also help reduce inflammation and improve insulin resistance.

The Bottom Line

Psoriasis and metabolic syndrome are two complex conditions that are linked in ways that are not yet fully understood. If you have psoriasis, it is important to be aware of the increased risk of metabolic syndrome.

Making lifestyle changes such as losing weight and exercising regularly can help manage metabolic syndrome, while treatments for psoriasis can help manage the symptoms of that condition.