Inflammaging: When silent inflammation drives ageing
Chronic low-grade inflammation is considered one of the central mechanisms of ageing. What hsCRP and IL-6 reveal – and what the evidence on countermeasures really shows.
What inflammaging means
In 2000, immunologist Claudio Franceschi and colleagues coined the term "inflammaging" – a blend of "inflammation" and "aging" (Franceschi et al., 2000).
It refers to a chronic, low-grade inflammatory activity that builds up gradually over decades – without classic signs of inflammation such as fever or swelling, but with measurable consequences for heart health, metabolism and the brain.
The key biomarkers: hsCRP and IL-6
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are the most important measurable indicators. Ridker and colleagues showed that hsCRP predicts cardiovascular events better than LDL cholesterol alone (Ridker et al., 2000).
IL-6 – a signalling molecule of the immune system – correlates with accelerated functional decline, frailty and increased mortality in old age (Ferrucci & Fabbri, 2018). Both values can be determined by blood test.
What drives inflammaging
Visceral fat is one of the strongest drivers: abdominal fat cells continuously produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. Add chronic stress, sleep deprivation, smoking and a low-fibre diet – all of these measurably raise hsCRP and IL-6.
The microbiome also plays a role: a disrupted gut barrier can release endotoxins into the bloodstream, which keep the immune system in a state of persistent low-level activation – a mechanism that is increasingly discussed in inflammaging research.
What the evidence on countermeasures shows
Regular endurance exercise and strength training are associated with lower inflammatory markers. A Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, legumes and omega-3 fatty fish shows consistent anti-inflammatory effects in meta-analyses (Calder et al., 2017).
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA) inhibit pro-inflammatory signalling pathways through several mechanisms. Studies show associations with lower IL-6 and hsCRP levels with regular intake – the effect size varies depending on baseline values (Calder, 2010).
Context: what an elevated value means
hsCRP is not specific: acute infections, intense exercise or injuries can temporarily raise the value. What matters is the pattern across multiple measurements in a clinical context – a single value is not sufficient. This content is general information and does not replace medical advice.
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Sources
- Franceschi C et al. Inflamm-aging: An evolutionary perspective on immunosenescence. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2000.
- Ferrucci L, Fabbri E. Inflammageing: chronic inflammation in ageing, cardiovascular disease, and frailty. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2018.
- Ridker PM et al. C-Reactive Protein and Other Markers of Inflammation in the Prediction of Cardiovascular Disease in Women. N Engl J Med. 2000.
- Calder PC. Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochem Soc Trans. 2017.