In this episode of the ZOE Science and Nutrition podcast, Jonathan Wolfe interviews Professor Janet Lord about inflammaging, the increase in inflammation in the body as we age, and its impact on health. Professor Lord explains that inflammaging is a low-level, chronic inflammation that, unlike acute inflammation, persists for years and contributes to age-related diseases like dementia, cardiovascular disease, and frailty by suppressing the immune system and damaging tissues. The discussion covers factors that trigger long-term inflammation, such as sedentary lifestyles, excess fat tissue, and an imbalanced gut microbiome. Professor Lord offers actionable advice on how to combat inflammaging through lifestyle changes, including increasing physical activity (aiming for 10,000 steps a day), reducing sedentary time, incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into the diet (like those containing polyunsaturated fatty acids and astaxanthin), managing stress, and considering intermittent fasting. She also touches on the potential future role of medication in managing inflammation.
