Inflammation (&Aging): Major Root Causes
Damage or Protection?
Inflammation is often described as something to "fight" or "reduce," especially in the context of food supplements and wellness products. But inflammation itself is a natural defense mechanism, essential for repairing damage and fighting infection.
So is reducing inflammation always beneficial?
Not necessarily. Blanket suppression of inflammation can be counterproductive, especially if the underlying causes remain unaddressed. Instead, it's more meaningful to first ask:
What is driving chronic, low-grade inflammation in the body? Can it be addressed at the root?
Below are some examples of causes of chronic inflammation. These are important to understand and address.
Latent viral burden (CMV, EBV, herpes family)
Environmental & occupational toxins (PM2.5, heavy metals, organics)
Cellular senescence + SASP (senescent cells secrete pro-inflammatory factors)
Mitochondrial dysfunction → mtDNA leakage (often worsened by NAD⁺ decline, oxidative stress)
Gut-barrier dysfunction / “leaky gut” (LPS, dysbiosis)
⚠️ Potential Adverse Effects of Anti-Inflammatory Supplements
However, natural doesn’t always mean risk-free. Even anti-inflammatory supplements can cause side effects—especially at high doses or when combined with medications. Here are some examples summarized by ChatGPT and a review per citation (7) below for illustrative purpose.
Supplement Potential Adverse Effects
Curcumin (Turmeric) Nausea, reflux, diarrhea, liver enzyme elevation (rare), increased bleeding risk, possible immune suppression
Quercetin Headache, kidney strain at high doses, drug interactions (e.g., cyclosporine), may affect iron absorption
Resveratrol Estrogenic activity concerns, interference with medications, GI discomfort
Boswellia (Frankincense) Skin rash, GI issues, may interact with NSAIDs or anticoagulants
Omega-3 (Fish oil) Thinning of blood (higher bleeding risk), fishy aftertaste, GI upset, potential immune suppression at high doses
Green Tea Extract (EGCG) Liver toxicity at high doses, insomnia, drug interactions (e.g., warfarin)
Ginger Heartburn, gas, bleeding risk, may lower blood sugar excessively
Willow Bark Similar to aspirin – risk of stomach irritation, allergic reactions, bleeding, avoid with NSAIDs or anticoagulants
🔖 Suggested References
1. Franceschi, C., & Campisi, J. (2014). Chronic inflammation (inflammaging) and its potential contribution to age-associated diseases. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 69(Suppl_1), S4–S9. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glu057
2. Furman, D. et al. (2019). Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span. Nature Medicine, 25(12), 1822–1832. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0675-0
3. Wang, B., Han, J., Elisseeff, J. H., & Demaria, M. (2024). The senescence-associated secretory phenotype and its physiological and pathological implications. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 25, 958–978. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-024-00727-x
4. Weyh, C., Krüger, K., & Strasser, B. (2020). Physical Activity and Diet Shape the Immune System during Aging. Nutrients, 12(3), 622. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12030622
5. Venter, C., Greenhawt, M., Meyer, R. W., et al. (2022). Role of Dietary Fiber in Promoting Immune Health—An EAACI Position Paper. Allergy, 77(11), 3185–3198. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15430
6. Chini, C.C.S., Reid, A.G., Kumar, S., Mitchell, S.J., & Chini, E.N. (2025, June). Chronic Cellular NAD⁺ Depletion Activates a Viral Infection‑Like Interferon Response Through Mitochondrial DNA Leakage. Aging Cell, 24(6), e70135. https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.70135
7. Liu, S.; Liu, J.; He, L.; Liu, L.; Cheng, B.; Zhou, F. A Comprehensive Review on the Benefits and Problems of Curcumin with Respect to Human Health. Molecules 2022, 27, 4400. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27144400
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Originally posted: https://www.project-owner.com/2025/06/chronic-inflammation-major-root-causes.html
⚠️ Disclaimer
This is a ChatGPT-assisted post and is intended for educational and self-research purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health practices or interpreting test results.