Silent Inflammation Damages the Body; Ways to Help Control Inflammation

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, inflammation is a natural immune response that helps protect the body against injury and infection, but when it becomes chronic, it can pose a threat to health.

Mehr: According to the US National Institutes of Health, inflammation is a natural immune response that helps protect the body against injury and infection, but when it becomes chronic, it can be a health threat. According to Ambassador Arjan, over time, chronic inflammation can lead to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiovascular disease.

According to experts, controlling this condition can help protect healthy tissues and support overall health.

"Inflammation can be affected by many factors beyond injury or infection," said Jim Laval, a clinical pharmacist and metabolic medicine specialist based in Texas.

Laval first pointed to the gut-immune-brain connection (the connection between gut microbes, the immune system, and the central nervous system) as a pathway that can influence the body's inflammatory response.

Beyond gut health, he said, several everyday lifestyle factors can play a role in preventing chronic inflammation.

According to Laval, managing stress and anxiety can help support the gut-brain connection and control inflammation.

He pointed to cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress, which he says can be damaging to the body at high levels.

"Chronic stress can also affect the intestinal barrier, potentially allowing substances that normally remain in the gut to pass more easily," Laval said.

This increased intestinal permeability is sometimes called "leaky gut."

He said: "So, it turns out that if we have a lot of stress, we are more susceptible to irritable bowel syndrome. "Because stress can trigger or worsen gastrointestinal symptoms in some people."

Diets high in sugar, fat, and highly processed foods can also affect gut health.

Paying attention to what type of food causes certain reactions or sensitivities can help to diagnose the cause of inflammation in the body.

Symptoms such as bloating, skin rashes, or discomfort after eating certain foods may indicate a food-related reaction, although they can have other causes.

"Some drugs, including antibiotics, may also alter the gut microbiome, but their effects vary by drug and individual," the expert said.

According to Laval, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is another important factor in managing inflammation.

Diseases such as diabetes and insulin resistance are often linked to chronic inflammation, Laval noted.

Research suggests that GLP-1 drugs, commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, may have anti-inflammatory effects, while scientists are exploring other potential benefits beyond weight loss and blood sugar control.

According to the National Institutes of Health, environmental exposures that people experience throughout their lives can affect inflammation and the risk of developing chronic diseases.

According to this expert, microplastics can stimulate inflammation signaling.

Laval pointed to emerging research on how environmental exposures—including persistent chemicals, microplastics, metals and pesticides—affect weight, blood sugar regulation and other aspects of health.

"Many of us don't think about this kind of impact on our health and how it can trigger inflammation signaling," he added.

Laval cautioned that regular exercise supports overall health, but intense workouts without adequate recovery time can put more stress on the body.

"If you train hard but don't recover well, it can also lead to a muted inflammatory signal," he said.