Chronic inflammation is associated with a number of age-related diseases. Also cancer is linked to chronic inflammation. Fortunately, it is possible to lower health risks associated to this condition. But how can we detect chronic inflammation? And what are its causes?
What is chronic inflammation? The causes
Inflammation is an immune system-driven defense tool. It can be promoted by viral or bacterial infection, or by injuries such as sprains or dislocations, but not only. In fact, health conditions such as obesity or pre-hypertension, white blood cells alterations, cancer, stress and some lifestyle habits (e.g. smoking, inadequate physical activity, sleep or diet) can lead to the development of the so-called chronic inflammation, that is a significant inflammation level increase.
In particular, aging can promote a low-grade chronic inflammation state that is not caused by infections. Instead, this kind of inflammation is caused by internal factors (such as the presence of oxidized proteins into cells) or by other external factors (such as overnutrition) able to chronically activate immune system and to modify metabolism. Also gut microbiota (that is, microbes that live in human gut) can influence low-grade chronic inflammation.
Because of today’s life expectancy increase, immune system has to face longer all these inflammation-promoting factors. That makes inflammation increases. Moreover, during aging immune system inflammation-terminating ability decrease. Taken together, all these phenomena promote the so-called inflammaging, that is age-related low-grade chronic inflammation.
The consequences of chronic inflammation
Low-grade chronic inflammation is among the most important age-related health problems causes. For example, it is associated with atherosclerosis (the building, in the wall of arteries, of plaques which can promote heart attack and stroke). Among other health problems associated with low-grade chronic inflammation are type 2 diabetes, ostheoporosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and cancer (for example, hepatocellular carcinoma, colon cancer and lung cancer).
That is why to combact low-grade chronic inflammation can help living both longer and in the best health status possible.
How to monitor chronic inflammation
Lifestyle is fundamental to help control chronic inflammation. But how to evaluate chronic inflammation level in the organism? Unfortunately, it is not possible to rely on symptoms such as sprain or dislocation ones. However, it can be monitored via a simple blood test that measures inflammation-related molecules (cytokines) concentration.
Bioscience Institute makes it possible with CYTOBALANCE, a test evaluating the level of 13 inflammation-related molecules, among which several cytokines and C reactive protein (CRP). The latter is a protein that has long been used as cardiovascular event risk marker in asymptomatic people.
CYTOBALANCE allows asymptomatic and apparently healthy people to evaluate chronic inflammation-related health risk. For more informations, visit CYTOBALANCE webpage or contact our customer service at +971 (0)4 375 7220.
References
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- Franceschi C et al. Inflammaging: a new immune-metabolic viewpoint for age-related diseases. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2018 Oct;14(10):576-590. doi: 10.1038/s41574-018-0059-4
- Gupta SC et al. Inflammation, a Double-Edge Sword for Cancer and Other Age-Related Diseases. Front Immunol. 2018 Sep 27;9:2160. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02160
- Lu M and Wang Z Linking gut microbiota to aging process: a new target for anti-aging. Food Science and Human Wellness, 2018 Jun;7(2):111-119. doi: 10.1016/j.fshw.2018.04.001
- Nasri H et al. New concepts in nutraceuticals as alternative for pharmaceuticals. Int J Prev Med. 2014 Dec;5(12):1487-99. PMCID: PMC4336979
- Pfützner A and Forst T. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein as cardiovascular risk marker in patients with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2006 Feb;8(1):28-36. doi: 10.1089/dia.2006.8.28
- Yoshimura A. Signal transduction of inflammatory cytokines and tumor development. Cancer Sci. 2006 Jun;97(6):439-47. doi: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2006.00197.x
