From ... in Biology — Dec 5, 2024

Warning Signs of Acute and Chronic Inflammation in the Body

When you sprain an ankle or catch a cold, your body's immediate response is to trigger infiammation — a natural, protective process that isolates and repairs damaged cells.

It's the reason a twisted ankle swells, a sore throat becomes red and tender, or a fever develops to fight off pathogens.

These reactions, while uncomfortable, are essential for healing and recovery, signaling the immune system to work eficiently. However, infiammation isn't always visible or beneficial. When it persists long after the body's initial need for healing, infiammation becomes a silent, ongoing process that damages healthy tissues and disrupts normal functions. Chronic infiammation occurs subtly and builds over time, often resulting from lifestyle and dietary factors. Recognizing how different types of infiammation manifest and targeting their underlying triggers are essential for reducing their impact and protecting your long-term health.

Infiammation is your body's natural defense mechanism against injuries or infection. This process involves the immune cells, blood vessels and signaling molecules, and relies on a balance between proinfiammatory and anti-infiammatory mediators for effective healing and to keep infiammation from becoming chronic. When a tissue is damaged or foreign invaders like bacteria enter the body, immune cells like macrophages (a type of white blood cell) recognize either distress signals from injured cells or foreign molecules on pathogens, known as antigens. These cells act like sentries, constantly patrolling your body and identifying anything that seems out of place. Upon detecting these signals, the immune cells release signaling molecules called cytokines and chemokines, which act as "alarms," telling other immune cells to come to the site of infection or injury. Cytokines play a major role in determining the intensity and duration of the immune response. In response to these signals, blood fiow increases in the affected area to bring more immune cells, nutrients and oxygen to help clear the infection or repair damaged tissue. These vascular changes lead to the classic signs of infiammation. Your immune system

then deploys different types of white blood cells, each with specific roles in the infiammatory response. Neutrophils arrive first, engulfing harmful particles and releasing antimicrobial substances. If the threat persists, macrophages and T-cells (specialized immune cells) join in. Macrophages consume pathogens and debris, while T-cells coordinate further immune responses and kill infected cells. Once the threat is neutralized, the immune system releases anti-infiammatory molecules to cool down the response, preventing further tissue damage and promoting healing.

Acute infiammation develops rapidly in response to injury or infection, becoming intense within a short period. This type of infiammation typically lasts only a few days as the body works quickly to protect and repair affected tissues. Key signs of acute infiammation include: 1. Pain — Pain is often the first and most noticeable symptom of acute infiammation. When tissue is damaged, the immune system releases chemicals like prostaglandins, which stimulate nerve endings, making them more sensitive to pain. This pain acts as a protective mechanism, preventing you from further straining the affected area and allowing healing to start. 2. Redness — Redness occurs when blood vessels in the affected area dilate, increasing blood fiow to the site of injury or infection, making the area appear red as small and large vessels respond to the infiammatory process. 3. Swelling — Also known as edema, this results from the increased permeability of blood vessels, which allows plasma proteins and immune cells to leak into surrounding tissues. This fiuid buildup cushions the area, though excessive swelling restricts movement and causes discomfort. 4. Heat — An infiamed area feels warm to touch because of the increased blood fiow and metabolic activity in the tissue. This localized heat helps deter pathogens by

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creating a less hospitable environment for them and supports faster chemical reactions essential for healing. 5. Limited mobility — Reduced mobility is both a protective response and a result of infiammation itself. Pain and swelling naturally discourage movement, while muscle coordination and strength temporarily decrease, helping prevent further injury and allowing the body to direct energy toward healing.

Modern diet and lifestyle habits have transformed infiammation from a temporary protective response into a persistent, silent threat for many people. Unlike acute infiammation, which is typically short-lived and visible, chronic infiammation develops gradually and presents a different set of symptoms. An article published in StatPearls provides insight into the pathophysiology behind chronic infiammation: "Most of the features of acute infiammation continue as the infiammation becomes chronic, including the expansion of blood vessels (vasodilation), increase in blood fiow, capillary permeability and migration of neutrophils into the infected tissue through the capillary wall (diapedesis). However, the composition of the white blood cells changes soon, and the macrophages and lymphocytes begin to replace short-lived neutrophils. Thus, the hallmarks of chronic infiammation are the infiltration of the primary infiammatory cells such as macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells in the tissue site, producing infiammatory cytokines, growth factors, enzymes and hence contributing to the progression of tissue damage and secondary repair including fibrosis and granuloma formation, etc." While the mechanisms of acute infiammation continue as infiammation becomes chronic, its symptoms appear entirely different. Chronic infiammation typically lacks the

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visible redness, swelling or heat associated with acute response and instead presents with systemic symptoms, such as: Chronic fatigue Digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea and acid refiux Joint pain Sleep disturbances Depression, anxiety and mood disorders Cognitive changes Weight gain or weight loss Frequent infections

Chronic infiammation affects multiple systems in the body over time, making it harder to detect and diagnose. Unlike acute infiammation, which signals the body to heal, chronic infiammation contributes to many of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic infiammatory diseases rank among the most significant threats to human health. Key health impacts include: Cardiovascular diseases — Persistent infiammation damages the inner lining of blood vessels, leading to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) that narrows and stiffens arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Infiammatory markers, such as C- reactive protein (CRP), are often elevated in those with cardiovascular conditions, serving as indicators of ongoing risk. Metabolic disorders — Chronic infiammation disrupts metabolic health and is closely linked to obesity, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Infiammatory molecules interfere with insulin signaling, leading to increased blood sugar levels and promoting fat accumulation, which exacerbates obesity. Over time, this infiammatory state contributes to diabetes progression and an increased risk of related complications like kidney disease and nerve damage.

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Autoimmune conditions — Chronic infiammation plays a central role in autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. In these conditions, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, causing persistent tissue damage, pain and dysfunction. Symptoms often vary but include joint pain, severe fatigue, digestive issues and organ-specific problems depending on the disease. Neurological conditions — Emerging research links chronic infiammation to neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, depression and Parkinson's disease. Infiammatory chemicals cross the blood-brain barrier, impacting brain function and contributing to memory loss, mood disorders and cognitive decline. Over time, this infiammatory response accelerates neurodegeneration, compounding age-related mental health challenges. Respiratory diseases — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. It is heavily infiuenced by persistent infiammation in the lungs. Prolonged exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke, environmental pollutants and occupational hazards initiates an infiammatory response that damages lung tissue, narrows airways and increases susceptibility to infections. Symptoms such as chronic coughing, mucus buildup and shortness of breath will progressively worsen, lowering your quality of life. Cancer — Persistent infiammation in tissues leads to oxidative stress, cellular damage, DNA mutations and an environment that promotes tumor growth. Certain cancers, such as liver, colon and stomach cancers, have particularly strong ties to chronic infiammation.

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The vagus nerve is a component of the parasympathetic nervous system that plays a key role in regulating infiammation. Stretching from the brainstem to the abdomen, the vagus nerve infiuences various bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion and immune response. One of its lesser-known roles is its involvement in the "infiammatory refiex," a neural pathway that controls infiammation levels in the body. Stimulating the vagus nerve activates this pathway, reducing the release of proinfiammatory cytokines and promoting a balanced immune response. Research suggests that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective tool for managing chronic infiammation. VNS involves delivering mild electrical impulses to the vagus nerve using an implanted device or through noninvasive techniques like deep breathing exercises. An article published in the Journal of the American Heart Association explained its mechanism of action: "Given the close interaction between the nervous and immune systems, VNS accelerates the resolution of infiammation. Specifically, infiammatory cytokines can trigger the vagal nerve while the afferent neurons transmit these signals to the nucleus tractus solitarius of the medulla oblongata. After processing in the higher brain centers, neural signals are transmitted to the dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve, and the efferent neurons suppress peripheral infiammation, thus completing the infiammatory refiex mechanism. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter of this refiex, and its anti ‐ infiammatory action is achieved by binding to α 7nAChR ( α 7 ‐ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor) on macrophages and other immune cells." When the α 7nAChR receptor is activated, it triggers a cascade of important intracellular pathways that regulate infiammation and stress responses. These actions make VNS a

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promising non-pharmacological treatment for various infiammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, infiammatory bowel disease, epilepsy and even depression.

To break free from infiammation, you need to address the underlying factors behind it rather than merely treating symptoms. In today's world, our diets, daily habits and environmental exposures combine to create a near-constant state of infiammation for many people. I believe there are four primary drivers of infiammation — what I call the "Four E's": 1. Excess linoleic acid (LA) — An omega-6 polyunsaturated fat (PUFA), LA is found abundantly in seed and vegetable oils as well as ultraprocessed foods. LA is one of the most harmful ingredients in the Western diet. When consumed in excessive amounts, it negatively affects your metabolic rate and gut microbiome, which are the two of the most important factors for maintaining proper infiammatory responses and overall health. 2. Electromagnetic field (EMF) — EMFs are generated by everyday electronic devices such as cell phones, Wi-Fi routers and microwaves, causing unseen harm to your health. EMFs activate voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) receptors in your cells, leading to an infiux of calcium ions. This surge in calcium catalyzes the production of peroxynitrite, a potent oxidant that contributes to cellular stress and infiammation. 3. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) — Exposure to EDCs from sources significantly impacts your health by over-activating estrogen receptors in your body. Microplastics are alarmingly prevalent in our environment, with research suggesting that the average person ingests the equivalent of a credit card's weight in plastic each week. Plastic is often laden with harmful substances like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), both of which bind to estrogen receptors and disrupt normal hormonal

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functions. Elevated estrogen increases intracellular calcium levels, which leads to the generation of peroxynitrite. This not only exacerbates infiammation but also plays a role in various chronic health conditions. 4. Endotoxins — Consuming ultraprocessed foods loaded with seed oils and high- fructose corn syrup (HFCS), as well as exposure to EDCs, disrupts your gut microbiome, increasing endotoxin production and systemic infiammation. Endotoxins are toxic substances released from the cell walls of certain bacteria, particularly gram-negative bacteria. These bacteria are facultative anaerobes, meaning they thrive in both aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen) environments. This adaptability allows them to colonize various areas in the body, including the gut, where they contribute to infiammation. When endotoxins from these bacteria enter the bloodstream — often due to a compromised gut barrier (leaky gut) — they trigger a strong infiammatory response known as endotoxemia. This condition is linked to various health issues, including metabolic syndrome and autoimmune diseases. To address these root causes of infiammation, I invite you to explore my article, " Cellular Health Revolution: Unveiling Hidden Threats and Empowering Solutions ." In it, I share practical strategies drawn from my latest book, "Your Guide to Cellular Health: Unlocking the Science of Longevity and Joy," providing you with tools to combat these hidden threats and support vibrant, lasting health.

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