What it means
Inflammaging (Franceschi, 2000) is the age-related rise in chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation in the absence of infection. Its sources: senescent cells and their secretions (the SASP), visceral fat releasing cytokines, a leakier gut and altered microbiome, accumulated cellular debris, declining immune regulation, and chronic infections such as CMV.
It shows up as elevated IL-6, TNF-α and hs-CRP, and it is distinct from the acute inflammation of injury, which is useful and resolves.
Why it matters for longevity
Chronic inflammation is causal in atherosclerosis (the CANTOS trial proved it by lowering events with an anti-inflammatory alone), and it drives insulin resistance, sarcopenia (cytokines break down muscle and blunt protein synthesis), bone loss, cognitive decline and frailty. Centenarians tend to have low inflammatory markers for their age; in the Italian and Japanese centenarian cohorts, inflammation score was the strongest predictor of who stayed capable.
What the evidence says
Arai 2015 (1,500 Japanese including 684 centenarians): an inflammation index was the best predictor of survival and cognition, better than telomere length. CANTOS (Ridker 2017, 10,000 patients): the IL-1β antibody canakinumab cut cardiovascular events by 15% without changing lipids. In the InCHIANTI and Health ABC cohorts, IL-6 predicted muscle loss, disability and mortality in older adults.
What lowers it, with trial evidence: fat loss (5–10% of body weight lowers hs-CRP by 20–30%), regular exercise (lower IL-6 and CRP at rest despite acute rises), Mediterranean-pattern diet, sleep, omega-3 repletion, and correcting gum disease. Supplements marketed as anti-inflammatory mostly have small or no effects on the markers.
How to measure or use it
- hs-CRP (average of two readings; target under 1 mg/L) is the routine marker; IL-6 where available. Add ferritin and a white-cell count for context.
- Track the sources: a DEXA visceral-fat estimate, HbA1c, sleep, dental health.
- Retest at 8–12 weeks after a change in body fat, training or sleep; a persistently high value with nothing obvious needs a physician's look.
Related
- Inflammation and immunity — the full article
- The immune and inflammation protocol — what a plan contains
- KPV (research page) — a research peptide studied for inflammation
Frequently asked questions
What causes inflammaging?
Senescent cells, visceral fat, gut permeability, immune decline, cellular debris and chronic viral infections, in varying proportions between people.
How do I measure it?
hs-CRP on a routine panel, averaged over two readings, plus IL-6 if available. Under 1 mg/L hs-CRP is the target.
What lowers inflammation fastest?
Fat loss and regular exercise, by a wide margin; then sleep, diet pattern and omega-3 repletion. Anti-inflammatory supplements add little on the markers.
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