Inflamm-aging combines “inflammation” and "aging" to describe the chronic, low-level inflammation that occurs as we age. Researchers believe it plays a significant role in age-related diseases.

Our immune system protects us from infections and toxins. It includes DNA repair enzymes, antioxidants, heat shock proteins, and immune cells like macrophages. However, these systems become less effective with age. Researchers found our bodies take two “hits."

The “first hit” involves persistent, low-grade inflammation that doesn't resolve. This isn't the acute inflammation you get from a cut, injury or infection. Those deal with the immediate problem and go away over time as you heal.

Instead, macrophages, immune cells responsible for engulfing pathogens and debris, become dysregulated and contribute to sustained inflammation. This persists over time, leading to a state of chronic, systemic inflammation.

The “second hit” involves genetic factors that make some people more prone to diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer's, and diabetes. Genetic susceptibility can worsen chronic inflammation's effects, making the body less efficient at resolving inflammation and more prone to damage.

Chronic inflammation and genetic susceptibility together create a positive feedback loop. Chronic inflammation increases the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, and genetic susceptibility heightens the body's inflammatory response. This interaction accelerates the progression of age-related diseases by continuously damaging tissues and organs.

To determine your level of inflammation, here are four lab tests you can run. Plus, the range on each test that's considered the sweet spot you should be in.

1. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance the liver produces in response to inflammation. It's part of the body's immune response and is used as a marker to assess inflammation and risk of cardiovascular disease.

The ideal CRP range for a healthy person on a blood test is typically less than 1 milligram per liter (mg/L).

2. Fasting insulin measures the amount of insulin in the blood after an individual has not eaten for at least 8 hours. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells for energy.

The ideal range for fasting insulin in a healthy person is typically between 4 to 7 micro units per milliliter (µU/mL).

3. Homocysteine is an amino acid produced in the body during the metabolism of methionine, an essential amino acid obtained from dietary protein. Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood, known as hyperhomocysteinemia, are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, as well as other health issues.

The ideal range for homocysteine levels in a healthy person is typically between 5 to 7 micromoles per liter (µmol/L).

4. Ferritin is a blood protein that contains iron and is a marker of the body's iron stores. It helps to understand the amount of iron stored in the body, which is crucial for producing healthy red blood cells.

According to Cleveland Clinic, the ideal range for ferritin levels in a healthy person varies slightly between different laboratories, but generally:

Men: 14.7 to 205.1 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL)
Women: 30.3 to 565.7 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL)

Researchers say it's essential to understand that having high levels of inflammatory markers doesn't mean you'll have problems. Centenarians, people who live to 100 or older, often have high levels of inflammatory markers but stay healthy and active. A strong inflammatory response might be perfectly compatible with successful aging; as long as you have good genetics or can make healthier choices.

Here are some practical tips to combat inflamm-aging.

Healthy Diet: Eat anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, and seeds. Avoid processed foods, vegetable oils and sugars.

Regular Exercise: Stay active with aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises.

Stress Management: Practice yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises to lower stress.

Good Sleep: Get enough quality sleep.

Avoid Toxins: Limit exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants.

Regular Health Checks: Visit your doctor regularly to catch and manage inflammation-related conditions early.

Understanding inflamm-aging helps us see the aging process more clearly and offers ways to improve our health and longevity. Remember, it's not just about living longer, but living better.

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Reference Links:

Modern Concepts in Cardiovascular Disease: Inflamm-Aging

Yustina M. Puspitasari, Stefano Ministrini, Lena Schwarz, Caroline Karch, Luca Liberale, and Giovanni G. Camici
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Published online 2022 May 18. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2022.882211

Click Here for the Study

 

Inflamm-aging: An Evolutionary Perspective on Immunosenescence

CLAUDIO FRANCESCHI, MASSIMILIANO BONAFÈ, SILVANA VALENSIN, FABIOLA OLIVIERI, MARIA DE LUCA, ENZO OTTAVIANI, GIOVANNA DE BENEDICTIS
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Published 25 January 2006 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb06651.x

Click Here for the Study

 

Emerging relationships of inflammation, cardiovascular disease and chronic diseases of aging

R P Tracy
International Journal of Obesity , Published 14 November 2003

Click Here for the Study

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5/16/2024