Inflammation is a defensive tool. When you have an infection or injury, the body responds by inflaming in order to repair. The problem appears when this inflammation does not switch off.
This is known as low-grade chronic inflammation, and it is one of the most important mechanisms behind modern diseases. Unlike acute inflammation:
- It does not hurt
- It is not visible
- It is not clearly perceived
But it does affect key functions:
- It alters insulin sensitivity
- It damages the vascular endothelium (arteries)
- It affects hormonal communication
- It dysregulates the immune system
This inflammatory state is associated with: Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, autoimmune diseases, and cognitive decline. It is driven primarily by lifestyle:
- Diets high in ultra-processed foods
- Excess sugar
- Lack of sleep
- Constant stress
- Intestinal dysbiosis
Inflammation changes the body’s ‘terrain’. And it is in that terrain where problems develop.
Conclusion
Inflammation is not the symptom. It is the environment where disease originates. Modifying it completely changes the prognosis.
