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What THE NURSE WANTS YOU TO KNOW About Inflammaging
Getting older is a wild ride: we get excited for new socks, we feel tired all the time, and we’re increasingly aware of our own mortality. And, fun fact, the constant stress of existing in this timeline is probably making us age even faster. The manifestations of aging may be caused by chronic, low-grade inflammation called inflammaging. We have undertaken a lot of research on this subject and want to share the must-knows about inflammaging and how to minimise the damage to our skin and bodies.
What is inflammaging?
Simply put inflammaging is the theory that the manifestation of aging in the body are a biproduct of chronic inflammation and over stimulation of the immune system in your lifetime. Basically, the theory is that chronic inflammation is behind many—if not all—aspects of aging.
Factors that contribute to chronic inflammation include ‘antigen load,’ namely the overexposure to external substances and microbes over the course of a persons lifetime, it causes an over stimulation of the immune system, the accumulation of activated immune system cells, and the overproduction of immune system factors that cause degeneration to various tissues in the body. In simpler terms, an overstimulated immune system causes inflammation, which then causes damage to our bodies at a foundational level. Furthermore obesity and issues with the gut microbiome may also contribute to inflammation.
What are common signs of inflammaging?
From a scientific and medical perspective markers of inflammation can be detected in the bloodstream. These markers are also associated with:
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Atherosclerosis
- Type 2 diabetes
- Sarcopenia (wasting away)
- Osteoporosis
- Functional disability (a vague term for loss of functionality), and high mortality risk (increased risk of death)
Inflammaging also contributes to faster aging of our skin. It speeds up Collagen loss and wrinkles and weakens our skin barrier, which can result in things like dryness, redness, acne, and darker under-eye circles.
How can we slow down inflammaging?
Focus on the basics, the primary recommendation would be to reduce stress, which, as we all know, can be easier said than done—but it’s not impossible. Rest, eating a healthy diet full of antioxidants and herbs, and avoiding excessive exposure to toxins (like cigarette smoke, alcohol, and pollution) can also help.
Pop some supplements. Anti-inflammatory supplements such as turmeric, omegas, ashwagandha and Lions mane are highly beneficial.
Lifestyle changes can minimize the damage of inflammaging
Get outdoors and get the vitamin D and it goes without saying-but we will say it-everyone should be wearing sunscreen.
When we combine lifestyle factors that are proven to promote health the old adage from wise cultures is that we should minimise stress, and the old-fashioned ways of getting natural exercise by working in the garden and walking in nature are the best ways to prevent inflammaging. Get closer to nature and you reduce stress, get lots of antioxidants in your bloodstream, stay fit, and keep healthy.
