Aging and increased longevity are opposite processes that occur in elaborate and complex biological and physiological settings. These physiological sites include cells, mitochondria, blood, immune and organ systems. Many changes occur in all of these systems with aging.

One of the most powerful changes occurs in immune reactivity associated with everything from pollution to diet, sleep patterns, and obesity. The phenomenon of inflammaging, the opposite of health and longevity, is now understood as a subclinical constant inflammatory state manifested by elevated levels of proinflammatory factors from the immune system and adipose cells.

Inflammation is a normal response of living tissue to damage or cellular injury. It is the immune system’s first line of defense against irritation or infection. Unchecked, progressive inflammation can cause serious illness and even death in patients of any age. However, the ravages of uncontrolled inflammation observed in various forms of vascular disease, cancer, metabolic disorders, sepsis, neurodegenerative disorders, and autoimmune conditions often spiral out of control in mid-life and beyond.