Ageing isn’t same everywhere – why inflammation may be lifestyle problem

By Admin

07 Jul, 2025

Introduction

For years, ageing and inflammation have gone hand in hand in the minds of scientists. The concept of “inflammaging”   chronic, low-level inflammation that increases with age   has been linked to a host of age-related diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. But groundbreaking research published in Nature Aging is now challenging this long-held belief. It suggests that inflammaging might not be a natural, universal part of growing old. Instead, it could be a symptom of modern lifestyles.

What Is Inflammaging?

Inflammaging refers to the gradual rise in inflammatory markers in the body as people age. Think of it as the immune system being stuck in a constant state of alert, fighting threats that no longer exist. Over time, this wear-and-tear effect is believed to damage tissues and organs, contributing to chronic illnesses.

For decades, scientists assumed that this process was an unavoidable part of ageing. But new research suggests otherwise.

A Global Perspective on Ageing and Inflammation

In an ambitious international study led by Samuel J White and Philippe B Wilson, researchers examined the blood of over 2,800 individuals from four communities:

• Italy and Singapore (modern, industrialised societies)
  
  

• Tsimane people of the Bolivian Amazon
  
  

• Orang Asli in the forests of Malaysia (Indigenous groups with traditional lifestyles)
  
  

Their goal was to determine if the same pattern of age-related inflammation seen in wealthy nations also appeared in more traditional societies.

What the Study Found

The results were eye-opening:

• Italy and Singapore: As expected, researchers observed a consistent rise in inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor with age. These markers were also closely linked to chronic conditions like heart disease and kidney dysfunction.
  
  

• Tsimane and Orang Asli: Surprisingly, these traditional populations did not show the same inflammaging pattern. Despite higher exposure to infections   and even elevated inflammatory markers due to pathogens   these communities had low rates of age-related diseases.
  
  

Lifestyle May Be the Real Culprit

These findings suggest that inflammaging might not be a biological inevitability, but rather a consequence of modern life. High-calorie diets, low physical activity, and limited exposure to infections in industrialised settings may be distorting the natural behavior of the immune system.

In contrast, the Tsimane and Orang Asli   who live active lives, consume minimally processed foods, and frequently interact with diverse microbes   may experience inflammation differently. In their case, inflammation may serve as a healthy, temporary immune response rather than a chronic burden.

Rethinking Inflammation and Ageing

This study brings forth three major takeaways:

1. Inflammaging May Not Be Universal
   The very definition of inflammaging   based on blood biomarkers   might only reflect ageing in certain societies. What is “normal” in a Western lab test may be irrelevant or misleading for people elsewhere.
   
   

2. One-Size-Fits-All Solutions Don’t Work
   Lifestyle interventions like exercise, anti-inflammatory drugs, and dietary changes may have varying results across populations. What works in New York or Milan might not be needed   or even effective   in the Amazon rainforest.
   
   

3. Inclusive Research Is Crucial
   Much of our understanding of human health is based on data from wealthy, urban populations. To build a complete picture of ageing, scientists must broaden their research to include diverse lifestyles and environments.
   
   

The Road Ahead

The researchers emphasize that this is just the beginning. Future studies need to explore inflammation not only in blood but also at the cellular and tissue levels. This could help us understand how ageing unfolds beneath the surface and whether inflammation plays a hidden role.

Above all, the study is a wake-up call. What we’ve considered a biological truth about ageing might be a lifestyle story instead   one shaped more by how we live than by how old we are.

Conclusion

Inflammaging may not be an unavoidable hallmark of ageing after all. This transformative research invites us to look beyond blood tests and across borders to understand what it truly means to grow old. As we continue to live longer lives, the way we live   not just our years   may hold the key to healthier ageing.

By embracing diverse perspectives and lifestyles, we may find that the secret to ageing gracefully doesn’t lie in fighting inflammation   but in understanding it better.