Exercise can reduce C-reactive protein, or CRP, a marker of inflammation. Higher levels of CRP can signal a higher risk of heart disease and other conditions like type 2 diabetes. But one study indicates people with symptoms of depression don’t reduce CRP through exercise.
At Duke Medicine, Edward Suarez compared CRP levels in people who were active or sedentary:
“The sedentaries that were depressed had the same levels of CRP as those who were active but yet depressed.”
But Suarez says being active does other good things, so people who are depressed should still be physically active.
