There are many factors that contribute to aging. Many aging concepts are assumed as research shows we have choices in how we age, well or not! Inflammaging may be one contributing factor. Inflammaging refers to a continuous, low-grade inflammation associated with aging. Such chronic inflammatory response could build up with time and gradually causes tissue damage. It is considered as one of the driving forces for many age-related disease such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, age-related macular degenerative (AMD), and skin aging. Inflammation also develops through injuries and poor nutritional choices.
There is mounting evidence that indicates aging is driven by the pro-inflammatory cytokines and substances produced by our body’s innate immune system. The innate, or nonspecific, immunity is the defense system with which you were born. It protects you against all antigens. Innate immunity involves barriers that keep harmful materials from entering your body. These barriers form the first line of defense in the immune response. The macrophage and complement system are two important components of innate immune system and have attracted more and more attention since they appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammaging-associated diseases, such as AMD (macular degeneration) and atherosclerosis. Macrophage refers to a type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills microorganisms. Blood contains many types of cells: white blood cells (monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, and macrophages).
According to the report on the ncbi.nlm.nih.gov titled “Inflammaging in Skin and Other Tissues – The roles of Complement System and Macrophage”, it says “Chronic low-grade-inflammation has been referred to as the “silent killer” since it induces a wide range of unforeseen internal tissue damage difficult to be diagnosed at early stage. In the western world alone, at least 5-7% of population is impacted by immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and the prevalence of inflammatory conditions has steadily been on the rise.”
The term “inflammaging” was coined more than a decade ago and since then, numerous research studies provided convincing evidence to support this concept. Inflammaging is the low-grade asymptomatic, chronic inflammation which occurs during physiological aging and is recognized as a pathogenic factor in the development of several age-associated diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies reveal that innate immunity is a major player in the inflammaging process. Mononuclear phagocytes such as macrophages play a pivotal role in innate immunity and its mediated inflammation is implicated in several aging related diseases, such as atherosclerosis, cancers and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Researchers from Orebro University, Sweden, suggest that chronic inflammation may be a cause of age-related muscle loss. C-reactive protein (CRP) is measured in the blood and can be used as a marker for both inflammaging and infections in the body. The results of the study, in which women ages 65 to 70 participated, show a correlation between increased CRP levels in the blood and lower muscle mass. Specifically, they report that CRP affects the size of muscle cells by interfering with protein synthesis. Their next steps are to defines study objectives that look at the impacts of exercise, CRP and other inflammatory responses in older adults.
Researchers from NYU School of Medicine report that inflammaging diminishes the ability of stem cells, essential ingredients in bone repair to multiply. According to the study authors, this results in a smaller number of stem cells in the aged skeleton and compromises their ability to help make new bone after a fracture. In addition, they found that the use of sodium salicylate, an ingredient in aspirin, repressed the age-induced chronic inflammation signaling. The researchers suggest that an immediate application of this finding may be to use anti-inflammatory drugs to build up stem cell pools, not after bone breaks, but during the weeks before elective orthopedic surgeries like hip or knee replacements. In these cases, anti-inflammatory drugs would be used leading up to a surgery, but then be cut off just before the procedures to make way for the acute inflammation necessary for normal healing. Obviously, this should only be done under a physician’s recommendation.
HOW TO STOP INFLAMMATION
Diet and exercise play a pivotal role in inflammation. Ultra-processed foods/carbohydrates, animal proteins/fats, casein (milk protein), saturated fats, and some polyunsaturated fats lead to a cascade of pro-inflammatory chemicals. And on the flip side, there are foods that reduce or don’t cause inflammation in the first place.
Dana Hunnes, NYU School of Medicine says, “There are a number of studies that show that a whole-food, plant-based diet full of antioxidants, phytonutritents (plant nutrients), fiber, water, and a myriad of other nutrients, and compounds we don’t even know enough about yet can both treat and reverse these chronic diseases and their associated inflammation,” she says.
According to a small study in the November 19, 2019, issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology, exercise, particularly lifelong exercise, can temper inflammaging. The study examined the influences of aging and lifelong exercise on inflammatory markers in the blood and skeletal muscle at baseline and after a bout of resistance training. Researchers found that after exercise, the study participating had lower blood levels of some inflammatory factors. Participants included both older and younger men.
Lifestyle choices can and do make a difference in all aspects of health. Even if you haven’t exercised in a while , physical activity can boost mood, decrease fall risk, and increase energy. It’s never too late to experience the positive benefits of eating well and exercising. And it’s likely that you’ll improve your immune system, too.
