Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, infections and illness. It plays a vital role in healing the body and protecting you from viruses and bacteria. Without an inflammatory response, wounds and damaged tissues wouldn’t heal.
The root of chronic disease
Inflammation should only be a temporary response that dissipates after the healing process is over. Sometimes, however, inflammation persists and becomes chronic. This is when it can do more harm than good. When inflammation becomes chronic it increases the risk of chronic disease. Scientists have also found a strong correlation between inflammation levels and a person’s lifespan.
Inflammation is said to be the root of almost all diseases, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, asthma, obesity, inflammatory bowel conditions, autoimmune diseases and leaky gut. According to a study published in The Lancet journal, low levels of inflammation in the body is a powerful predictor of longevity in people who live to more than 100 years.
Chronic, systemic low-grade inflammation often goes undetected in the body for years as it silently damages tissues in the body until disease sets in. It’s often only when signs and symptoms of disease appear that you become aware of it.
Chronic inflammation can be caused by a number of different factors including an overactive immune system (autoimmunity), an underlying infection the body is trying to fight or repetitive physical stress on a certain part of the body. Poor diet, longterm stress, food allergies and a sedentary lifestyle can all contribute to chronic inflammation in the body.
Eating for longevity
This story is from the Issue 183 edition of WellBeing.
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This story is from the Issue 183 edition of WellBeing.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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