Inflammation is normally a helpful immune response, kicking in to protect the body after an injury or infection. But when it lingers for the long haul, it can quietly damage healthy tissue and raise the risk of serious disease, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Chronic inflammation has been linked to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disease. Keeping it in check, experts say, is key to protecting long-term health.
Jim LaValle, a clinical pharmacist and metabolic medicine expert based in Texas, told Fox News Digital that inflammation isn’t just triggered by cuts or colds — everyday habits and exposures play a major role too.
The Gut-Brain Connection
LaValle pointed to what’s known as the gut-immune-brain connection, the ongoing communication between gut microbes, the immune system and the central nervous system, as one major pathway shaping how the body manages inflammation.
Stress Management
Unchecked stress and anxiety can disrupt that gut-brain link. LaValle said cortisol, the hormone the body releases under stress, can
