Chronic inflammation and longevity
WHAT IS CHRONIC INFLAMMATION?
The silent signal of your body
Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, low-grade activation of the immune system that persists when there is no immediate threat, such as infection or injury (1,2). While acute inflammation is a protective response that helps the body heal, chronic inflammation can become harmful over time. The constant activation of the immune system wears down the body’s resilience by contributing to tissue damage and increasing the risk of various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and kidney dysfunction (3,4). It ‘fills your cup’ so to speak, making your body less robust in tackling potential health challenges that lie ahead.
suPAR (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor) is a biomarker of chronic inflammation – a way to measure your body’s inflammatory burden over time and establish an inflammation-driven biological age.
WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
Causes of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation can develop from a variety of lifestyle and environmental factors, including:
Unbalanced diet (processed foods, sugars, unhealthy fats)
Excess body fat (visceral fat around the organs)
Chronic stress and poor sleep
Lack of physical activity (a sedentary lifestyle)
Exposure to irritants (such as air pollution, certain chemicals)
Autoimmune disorders and long-lasting infections
Chronic inflammation can be thought of as the body’s cellular language – the way immune cells communicate to coordinate repair and defense. When the “conversation” becomes constant and filled with “noise” from persistent stressors, poor diet, or other triggers, the signals get distorted and out of balance.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Chronic inflammation, health, and lifespan
Chronic inflammation can make you biologically older than your calendar age. Research suggests it can accelerate biological aging by 5 to 10 years, increasing your risk of disease, slowing your ability to recover, and reducing your physical independence as you get older.
As chronic inflammation increases, so do the risks:
- Faster aging: Higher levels of chronic inflammation is linked to an older facial appearance and an accelerated decline in cognitive function (5).
- Higher risk of disease: Elevated chronic inflammation significantly increases the risk of developing disease, such as CVD, diabetes, and cancer (3).
- More challenging recoveries: Individuals with a high level of chronic inflammation tend to be less resilient during acute illness, leading to longer hospital stays and greater vulnerability to complications (6,7).
- Less independence as you age: Chronic inflammation contributes to a decline in physical resilience, making it more difficult to maintain independence as you age (5).
In contrast, low levels of inflammation are consistently associated with longer, healthier lives – living longer is more enjoyable when you’re healthy!
TAKING CONTROL
Balancing inflammation for a longer, healthier life
Chronic inflammation isn’t inevitable – our daily choices shape it. While genetics and environment play a role, science shows we can influence inflammation through lifestyle, mindset, and proactive health strategies.
Know your baseline: How old are you, really?
Chronic inflammation can quietly strain your immune system and affect long-term health. Knowing your level gives you the chance to act early.
- A hidden threat: Chronic inflammation may show no clear symptoms until conditions like heart disease or diabetes develop.
- Preventive insight: Biomarkers like suPAR help reveal inflammation levels so you can make informed lifestyle changes sooner (9).
- Personalized action: If your inflammation is elevated, you can track whether changes in diet, stress management, or exercise help lower it.
Every body is different — knowing your personal baseline gives you the clarity to take actions that truly fit your biology.
Insights
Aging & longevity
Chronic inflammation can accelerate biological aging by 5 to 10 years.
Sex
Women tend to have higher chronic inflammation levels than men.
Prevention
Early and regular testing can prevent 80% of inflammation- driven diseases if acted upon.
Diet
A healthy diet can make up to 4 years difference in biological age compared to unhealthy dietary habits.
Physical activity
Regular physical activity can make a difference of almost 5 years in biological age.
Social connections
Loneliness is associated with increased chronic inflammation levels, and thus increased risk of disease development and mortality.
