As time marches on, our bodies can gradually enter a state of chronic low-grade inflammation known as inflammaging. This process accelerates the aging process and increases the risk of age-related diseases, from heart conditions to diabetes to cognitive decline.
Inflammaging is a portmanteau of “inflammation” and “aging.” It can burn years off our lifespan, leaving us sick and suffering. However, emerging research shows you can combat inflammaging by adopting simple lifestyle strategies. Adding high-quality protein to your diet, getting enough sleep and sunlight, and making sure you reach your number of steps for the day are just a few straightforward measures you can take.
Sheth offered some simple steps to cover your nutrition bases to help halt inflammaging. Regular exercise is a means of combatting age-related inflammation. A systematic review published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience in 2019 found that aerobic exercise significantly benefits inflammatory markers in middle-aged and older adults. Sheth suggested aiming for 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, cycling, and yoga, on most days of the week. The Centers for Disease Control recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, which can be broken into 30-minute sessions five days per week.