Fight Inflammaging to Age-Proof Your Health

Have you ever heard of inflammaging? Neither had I, until recently! But once I started digging into the research, I realized this concept is a gamechanger for anyone interested in longevity and optimal health.

Inflammaging is the ongoing, mild inflammation that occurs as we get older, even without clear infections or injuries. Scientists now consider it a key driver of many diseases, from heart disease to dementia.

The good news? We have more control over it than you might think!

How Inflammaging Affects the Body

Chronic inflammation silently damages our bodies in multiple ways:

✔ Cellular Senescence – Aging cells stop dividing but don’t die off. Instead, they pump out inflammatory chemicals, fueling systemic inflammation.

✔ Immune System Dysregulation – As we age, the immune system weakens. It has a harder time clearing damaged cells, which leads to a vicious cycle.

✔ Organ Dysfunction – Chronic inflammation damages organs like the heart, liver, and brain.

✔ Mitochondrial Breakdown – Poor calcium signaling disrupts energy production, leading to fatigue and increased inflammation.

Ultimately, inflammation accelerates the ageing process,  contributes to frailty and premature death, and really damages our quality of life. But it’s not inevitable. By taking action, we can slow it or even reverse it.

Inflammation Hacks

We all know that eating well and exercising can help combat inflammation, but what if you want to go further? Here are some cutting-edge strategies to fight inflammaging:

1. Cold Therapy (Ice Baths & Cryotherapy)

Plunging into cold water lowers inflammation, boosts immune function, and increases mitochondrial efficiency. Try Be Well’s Hot & Cold baths or cold showers at home a few times a week to activate your body’s natural anti-inflammatory response.

2. Intermittent Fasting & Fasting-Mimicking Diets

Research shows that fasting helps clear out senescent (damaged) cells and reduces inflammation. A fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), where you eat very low calories for 5 days, has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers and promote cellular repair.

3. Grounding (Earthing)

Walking barefoot on grass, sand, or soil isn’t just relaxing, it can actually reduce inflammation by balancing the body’s electrical charge. Studies suggest that direct contact with the earth helps neutralize harmful free radicals.

4. Heat Therapy (Infrared Saunas & Hot Baths)

Saunas and hot baths mimic the effects of exercise, increasing circulation and reducing inflammation. Infrared saunas, in particular, penetrate deep into tissues, improving mitochondrial function and reducing chronic pain.

5. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) & Strength Training

While gentle exercise is great, HIIT and resistance training have been shown to dramatically lower inflammation and boost mitochondrial health. Short bursts of intense activity help your body develop a stronger anti-inflammatory response.

6. Molecular Hydrogen Therapy

Drinking hydrogen-rich water or inhaling molecular hydrogen gas has been found to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation at a cellular level. Some biohackers swear by it for improving energy and reducing aging markers.

7. Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and MDMA are being studied for their anti-inflammatory effects on the brain. They may help reduce neuroinflammation, which is linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s and depression.

8. Microbiome Optimization (Postbiotics & Fermented Foods)

Gut health is directly linked to inflammation. Beyond probiotics, postbiotics (the beneficial byproducts of gut bacteria) are gaining attention for their powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Try fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir for gut health.

9. Red & Near-Infrared Light Therapy

Red light therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation, speed up muscle recovery, and improve skin health. Many athletes and longevity enthusiasts use red light panels or devices to support cellular repair.

10. Adaptogenic Mushrooms & Herbs

Certain mushrooms like reishi, lion’s mane, and chaga contain powerful compounds that modulate the immune system and reduce chronic inflammation. Herbs like turmeric, ashwagandha, and boswellia also have strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Daily Habits

Even if you don’t dive into the more radical options, these simple habits can make a huge difference:

✔ Prioritize Omega-3s – Eat more wild-caught fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts to balance your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.

✔ Ditch Ultra-Processed Foods – Reduce sugar, seed oils, and processed grains, which trigger inflammation.

✔ Get Enough Sleep – Poor sleep increases inflammatory markers. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality rest.

✔ Move Every Day – Even just walking 30 minutes daily reduces inflammation.

✔ Manage Stress – Chronic stress elevates inflammation. Try meditation, breathwork, or nature therapy.

Feel Empowered!

Inflammaging isn’t inevitable. We can slow the process, improve our quality of life, and potentially extend our health span. There’s no shortage of excellent ways to reduce inflammation and almost all of these are right here, all under one roof at Be Well.

Too easy!

Here’s to living longer, healthier, happier and inflammation free!

See you again at Be Well soon.