Ever wondered why your ankles puff up when sprained or why your skin flushes red when scraped? This rapid reaction is the result of inflammation – a crucial biological response that can be a lifesaver. Inflammation is the body’s way of responding to infection or injury in an attempt to restore health, as explained by Dr. Robert Shmerling, a rheumatologist at Harvard Medical School. However, this process has been scrutinized for its association with various chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and allergies. Experts focusing on longevity emphasize that reducing chronic inflammation is vital for healthy aging.
Dr. David Hafler, a neurologist at Yale School of Medicine, describes inflammation as a double-edged sword; while it is essential for survival by defending against pathogens like viruses and bacteria, chronic inflammation can harm the body in the long run. The acute inflammatory response, seen in conditions like a sore throat, is a beneficial process where the immune system fights off infections to prevent their spread, as explained by Dr. Moshe Arditi, a pediatrician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Centuries-old findings by Roman encyclopedist Aulus Cornelius Celcus highlighted the core signs of inflammation as redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which remain valid today. On a microscopic scale, acute inflammation involves the delivery of fluid, proteins, and white blood cells to infection sites for combating pathogens and promoting healing. However, chronic inflammation poses a threat to the body over time.
Several risk factors, including obesity, tobacco smoking, and diet, can contribute to chronic inflammation. Dr. Thaddeus Stappenbeck, inflammation and immunity chair at the Cleveland Clinic, points to the modern American diet as a major source of chronic inflammation. Processed foods, refined sugars, trans fats, and excessive red meat intake are linked to increased inflammation. Lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, inadequate sleep, and high stress levels can also promote inflammation.
Symptoms of inflammation vary but may include joint pain, fatigue, constipation, and depression. To mitigate inflammation levels, Dr. Shmerling recommends weight loss, regular exercise, and avoiding heavily processed foods. Studies suggest that adhering to a Mediterranean diet can help reduce inflammation.
Adopting a diet that is primarily plant-based, focusing on whole fruits and vegetables, can help reduce inflammation levels, according to experts. Dr. Shmerling emphasized that this dietary change is not a sudden switch but can lead to improvements in inflammatory markers over time. Chronic inflammation is a significant factor in the development of various diseases, with an estimated 129 million Americans affected by at least one chronic condition, a number that continues to rise. Researchers believe that chronic inflammation plays a key role in the prevalence of these diseases.
When the body is in a state of inflammation, it can harm essential organs and blood vessels, leading to conditions like heart disease. Inflammation can also contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases and autoimmune disorders, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Various diseases, including Parkinson’s and diabetes, have inflammatory components, highlighting the importance of addressing inflammation early.
While there are blood tests available to measure inflammation, such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and c-reactive protein test, these tests are not foolproof and may not provide a clear picture of where inflammation is occurring in the body. False positives can occur, and results must be considered alongside symptoms. Dr. Shmerling and other experts caution against routine screening for inflammation in asymptomatic individuals due to the limitations of current tests.
There is a more sensitive test called hs-CRP that can detect smaller increases in c-reactive protein, which has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. Some argue that this test should be conducted regularly to assess inflammation levels more accurately. However, opinions vary on the necessity of routine testing for chronic inflammation.
Checking cholesterol levels is a common practice in assessing the risk of heart attacks and stroke. However, the effectiveness of also measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) levels for this purpose has been a topic of debate due to conflicting evidence. Consequently, the CRP test is not routinely conducted as part of standard risk assessments. Dr. Shmerling noted that individuals at either very low or very high risk levels may not benefit significantly from a CRP test. On the other hand, there is a particular group of people with moderate risk where including a CRP test in their cardiac risk evaluation could indeed be beneficial.
