All articles tagged with #inflammation
Tokyo University of Science researchers found that combining common plant compounds (menthol, 1,8-cineole, capsaicin, and others) dramatically enhances anti-inflammatory effects in immune cells, amplifying activity hundreds of times by engaging multiple signaling pathways. This suggests everyday foods and potential functional products could better modulate chronic inflammation, though human studies are still needed.
A new study finds keratin 16 normally suppresses skin inflammation by dampening type I interferon signaling; when KRT16 is mutated or absent, inflammation spikes, linking keratin 16 to conditions like pachyonychia congenita, psoriasis, and eczema. The researchers suggest targeting interferon signaling could yield new treatments, as an interferon inhibitor reduced skin lesions in a mouse PC model.
Endometriosis is described as a systemic immune disorder driven by chronic inflammation, with elevated cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-1beta in the blood and immune cells that fail to clear lesions, producing ripple effects like fatigue, brain fog, and widespread pain beyond pelvic symptoms. A 2025 study linked endometriosis to roughly twice the odds of an autoimmune diagnosis within two years of onset, suggesting shared inflammatory mechanisms rather than a purely reproductive disease; reframing it as a whole-body immune condition could guide development of immune-modulating treatments and empower patients in healthcare settings.
A study using humanized mice found polyphenol-rich Aronia juice can shield against high-fat-diet–induced metabolic disruption, but benefits vary with the gut microbiome: mice with low-inflammatory microbiomes showed preserved gut diversity and favorable metabolic markers after Aronia treatment, while those with high-inflammatory microbiomes did not exhibit the same benefits.
A GP outlines five daily habits linked to healthier aging: maintain and build muscle to combat sarcopenia and frailty; prioritise sleep and recovery (aiming for seven hours with consistent bedtimes); reduce chronic inflammation through diet, activity, and stress management; and enjoy life in moderation while maintaining social connections, with small, repeated choices over years potentially adding years to life and lowering risks of heart disease and cognitive decline.
A Finnish study of 62,555 people aged 65+ with late-onset dementia (2017–2020) and 312,772 matched controls found 29 risk factors for dementia. Among infections, only urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacterial infections were linked to dementia, with severe infections—especially UTIs—associated with a 19% higher risk after adjusting for other conditions. The time between infection and dementia diagnosis averaged five to six years. While this suggests infections may contribute to dementia risk, it does not prove causality, and the researchers call for intervention studies. Non-infectious risks included alcohol-related disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and brain disease.
A Jackson Heart Study analysis found that waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio—measures of central obesity—predicted future heart failure risk, while BMI did not; higher systemic inflammation (hs-CRP) partially mediated this link (about 25–29%), suggesting fat distribution and inflammation drive risk; the study's limitations include a single-site African-American cohort and pending peer review; implications point to prioritizing central obesity and inflammation management through lifestyle changes to reduce heart failure risk.
Preclinical study in a mouse model of Alzheimer's found inhaled cannabidiol (CBD) reduced key inflammatory pathways (IDO and cGAS), lowered proinflammatory cytokines, and improved recognition memory, suggesting CBD may exert a multitarget anti-inflammatory effect that could complement other approaches. However, results are early and in animals, and human studies are needed to assess safety and efficacy.
Experts say a plant-forward, fiber-rich diet supports colon health and may lower risk of colorectal issues. The top foods—broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, apples, pears, whole grains, legumes, yogurt, kimchi, and flaxseed—provide fiber and probiotics that feed good gut bacteria, boost beneficial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids, and help reduce inflammation. A varied daily pattern matters more than any single 'superfood'; aim for about 25 grams of fiber daily and plenty of water to support regularity.
A TODAY health piece explains that chronic inflammation raises risks for heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline, while fruits—rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids, and fiber—can help reduce inflammation. It highlights berries, cherries, grapes, apples, pomegranates, watermelon, citrus, peaches, and pineapple as top choices, notes that whole fruit is generally preferable to juice though 100% juice can still provide anti-inflammatory compounds, and encourages a varied, colorful fruit intake to support a healthy gut and overall inflammation reduction.
A study presented at the AHA Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026 finds abdominal/visceral fat predicts future heart failure more accurately than BMI, with higher belly fat linked to greater risk even in people with a normal BMI; inflammation may account for about one-third of this connection.
A deep-learning CT‑based thymic health score was developed and applied to 27,612 adults in NLST and the Framingham Heart Study. Higher thymic health was consistently associated with lower all-cause mortality, reduced lung cancer incidence, and lower cardiovascular mortality; thymic health also correlated with lifestyle factors and systemic inflammation, supporting the thymus as an active driver of immune health in adulthood and a potential target for healthy aging strategies.
Deleting Caspase-2, once considered protective against fatty liver disease, disrupts liver cell quality control, leading to polyploidy, chronic inflammation and fibrosis, and markedly increasing age-related liver cancer risk in mice.
Researchers identify LOXL2 as a protector of jaw cartilage in TMJ osteoarthritis. LOXL2 helps suppress the NF-κB inflammatory pathway, preserves chondrocyte viability, and maintains cartilage matrix. Loss of LOXL2 activates inflammatory genes and accelerates cartilage breakdown; boosting LOXL2 reduced inflammatory markers and protected cartilage in mouse and goat tissues, suggesting LOXL2 as a potential therapeutic target for TMJ disorders, though human studies and approved TMJ-specific treatments are still needed.
The American Psychiatric Association is exploring adding biological biomarkers to future DSM criteria to improve diagnosis and tailor treatments, a move that could streamline care and insurance decisions but is not yet ready for routine clinical use. The article notes potential biomarkers like inflammatory markers (e.g., C-reactive protein) that may predict antidepressant response, while stressing the need for coordinated, well-funded research, concerns about costs and privacy, and the risk of disparities in access. Experts say this signals the start of a possible shift in psychiatry, though substantial validation and policy work remain before widespread adoption.