{"id":46477,"date":"2026-08-04T13:45:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T09:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/?p=46477"},"modified":"2026-08-04T13:45:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T09:45:16","slug":"the-chemistry-of-inflammageing-the-anti-ageing-formula","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/the-chemistry-of-inflammageing-the-anti-ageing-formula\/","title":{"rendered":"The Chemistry of Inflammageing: The Anti-Ageing Formula"},"content":{"rendered":"

Health & Lifestyle<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

By Kaajal Luckraz, Pharmacist<\/span> <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday — Fri-nally!<\/span><\/p>\n

Not cheugy — Mummy and Papa have a date night. It has been a while. They have both made a conscious effort to dress up and look their best today — after all, it is a date!<\/span><\/p>\n

Over a lovely meal by the seaside, they are looking at each other and quietly thinking. She has saggy skin and drooping eyelids now… her hair is greying and thinning… His smile lines and cheeks have started making him look old… and his posture too… oh, where is his muscle mass?<\/span><\/p>\n

We often think of ageing as something we see in the mirror — grey hair, wrinkles, or aching backs and joints. Yet, some of the most profound changes occur at a microscopic level, where chemistry quietly determines how well we age.\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most exciting concepts in modern medicine that explains this phenomenon is inflammageing — a state of persistent, low-grade inflammation that develops with age. Unlike the inflammation that helps us heal after an injury, inflammageing is subtle, chronic, and destructive. Over decades, it gradually damages tissues, accelerates biological ageing, and increases the risk of many chronic diseases.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Chemistry Behind Inflammageing<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Every second, billions of chemical reactions occur within our cells. During normal metabolism, our bodies generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), commonly known as free radicals. In healthy cells, these molecules are balanced by antioxidants.<\/span><\/p>\n

With advancing age, however, this balance begins to shift. Mitochondria — the tiny powerhouses of our cells — become less efficient, producing more oxidative stress. Damaged proteins, oxidised fats, and injured DNA accumulate, activating inflammatory signalling pathways such as NF-\u03baB. The immune system remains permanently switched on at a low level, continuously releasing inflammatory molecules including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-\u03b1), and C-reactive protein (CRP).<\/span><\/p>\n

Over time, this chronic inflammation contributes to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, neurodegeneration, cancer, and metabolic disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Senescent Cells: When Cells Refuse to Retire<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

An important driver of inflammageing is the accumulation of senescent cells. Healthy cells divide, perform their functions, and eventually die through a controlled process known as apoptosis. Senescent cells, however, stop dividing but refuse to die. Instead, they remain in tissues where they continuously release inflammatory chemicals, enzymes, and growth factors collectively known as the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP).<\/span><\/p>\n

These dysfunctional cells behave like \u201cbad neighbours,\u201d spreading inflammation to surrounding healthy cells and accelerating tissue ageing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Research suggests that reducing the burden of senescent cells may one day become one of the most promising strategies for extending healthspan — the number of years we remain healthy, active, and independent — not merely lifespan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Inflammageing and the Brain: The Link to Type 3 Diabetes<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Scientists increasingly recognise that chronic inflammation and insulin resistance affect not only muscles and the liver but also the brain. This has led to the term Type 3 diabetes, used by many researchers to describe the insulin resistance observed in Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Although it is not an official medical diagnosis, growing evidence suggests that impaired insulin signalling within the brain contributes to memory loss, cognitive decline, and neurodegeneration.<\/span><\/p>\n

Persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular damage appear to connect metabolic disease with declining brain health. Protecting our metabolic health today may therefore help preserve our cognitive health tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Inflammageing and Visceral Fat<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Excess visceral fat has been strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, certain cancers, and cognitive decline. It also promotes the accumulation of senescent cells, further amplifying the inflammatory cycle. Encouragingly, studies have shown that even modest weight loss — particularly when achieved through regular physical activity, a Mediterranean-style diet, and improved sleep — can reduce visceral fat, lower inflammatory markers, and improve metabolic health.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Gut Microbiome: An Invisible Ally Against Inflammageing<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hidden within our digestive tract are trillions of microorganisms — collectively known as the gut microbiome — that play a remarkable role in regulating immunity, metabolism, and inflammation. Often described as our \u201cforgotten organ,\u201d the gut microbiome communicates continuously with the immune system through what scientists call the gut-immune axis.<\/span><\/p>\n

As we age, the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria often declines, while less favourable bacteria may become more abundant. This imbalance, known as dysbiosis, can weaken the intestinal barrier, allowing bacterial toxins such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to enter the bloodstream. The result is activation of the immune system and a persistent state of low-grade inflammation that contributes to inflammageing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Emerging evidence also suggests that an unhealthy gut microbiome may promote the accumulation of senescent cells, worsen insulin resistance, increase visceral fat deposition, and influence the development of conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and even neurodegenerative disorders. Conversely, beneficial gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate, which nourish the cells lining the colon, strengthen the intestinal barrier, and help suppress inflammatory pathways.<\/span><\/p>\n

Food as Everyday Chemistry<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Every meal represents an opportunity to influence the body\u2019s chemistry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Foods that reduce inflammation include:<\/span><\/p>\n

* Colourful berries rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins<\/span><\/p>\n

* Leafy green vegetables providing folate, magnesium, and antioxidants<\/span><\/p>\n

* Extra virgin olive oil containing oleocanthal, a natural anti-inflammatory compound<\/span><\/p>\n

* Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel, rich in omega-3 fatty acids<\/span><\/p>\n

* Nuts, especially walnuts and almonds<\/span><\/p>\n

* Beans and lentils, which provide fibre that supports beneficial gut bacteria<\/span><\/p>\n

* Tomatoes, rich in lycopene<\/span><\/p>\n

* Turmeric, containing curcumin<\/span><\/p>\n

* Green tea, abundant in catechins<\/span><\/p>\n

* Dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa) in moderation<\/span><\/p>\n

Conversely, highly processed foods, excessive sugar, refined carbohydrates, trans fats, and excessive alcohol promote oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Supplements That Support Healthy Ageing<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Scientific research continues to identify nutrients that help regulate inflammatory pathways:<\/span><\/p>\n

* Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA): reduce inflammatory cytokine production.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Vitamin D: supports immune regulation and may reduce chronic inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Magnesium: participates in over 300 enzymatic reactions and supports metabolic health.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Vitamin C and Vitamin E: powerful antioxidants that protect cells against oxidative damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Polyphenols: found in berries, grapes, cocoa, and green tea, they help neutralise free radicals and activate longevity pathways.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Curcumin: modulates NF-\u03baB and other inflammatory signalling pathways.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Sulforaphane: found in broccoli sprouts, activates the body\u2019s own antioxidant defence system through the Nrf2 pathway.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Resveratrol: naturally present in grapes and berries, with potential anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Quercetin: found in onions, apples, and capers, and currently being studied as part of potential senolytic strategies.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Future of Healthy Ageing<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Exciting advances are emerging in longevity science. Researchers are investigating senolytics — compounds designed to selectively remove senescent cells — as well as therapies aimed at improving mitochondrial function, reducing chronic inflammation, and slowing biological ageing. While many of these treatments remain under investigation, they represent an exciting frontier in preventive medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n

High levels of pro-inflammatory markers in the blood and other tissues are often detected in older individuals and predict the risk of cardiovascular diseases, frailty, multimorbidity, and decline of physical and cognitive function.<\/span><\/p>\n

In individuals with obesity, visceral fat produces pro-inflammatory and chemotactic compounds and is infiltrated by macrophages, lymphocytes, and senescent cells with a senescence-associated secretory phenotype that contributes to inflammageing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mechanisms potentially underlying inflammageing includes genomic instability, cell senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, microbiota composition changes, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, primary dysregulation of immune cells, and chronic infections.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical trials suggest that modulating inflammation prevents cardiovascular diseases, but studies to explore the effects on other chronic diseases, frailty, and disability are scarce and controversial.<\/span><\/p>\n

Inflammageing can complicate the clinical features of cardiovascular disease in older individuals by causing an energetic imbalance towards catabolism and interfering with homeostatic signalling, leading to frailty.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Pharmacist\u2019s Message<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Medicines remain essential in treating disease, but healthy ageing begins long before a prescription is needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Daily movement, restorative sleep, stress management, nutritious food, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol, and regular medical check-ups all work together to reduce inflammageing.<\/span><\/p>\n

As pharmacists, we increasingly recognise that our role extends beyond dispensing medicines. We are educators, advocates, and partners in helping individuals make informed choices that preserve function, independence, and vitality. The goal is no longer simply to live longer — it is to extend our healthspan, ensuring that the years we gain are lived with strength, clarity, and quality of life. So what I am saying is, the next time you visit your pharmacy, do pick our brains. Literally.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kaajal Luckraz attained her MPharm degree and qualified as a pharmacist at King\u2019s College London.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 31 July 2026<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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