Guest Health Editorial
Connecting the Dots- Building a Healthy Society
Arun K Garg, PhD, MD FRCPC
Medical Lead, South Asian Health Institute, Fraser Health (www.fraserhealth.ca), Clinical Professor, Faculty of Medicine. The University of British Columbia. Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Science, Simon Fraser Undercity;
In the last issue, I introduced the basics of inflammation and its role in health and illness. We discussed two types of bodily responses: acute and chronic inflammation—in a way, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Typically, acute inflammation occurs in response to injury, infection, or external insult. However, when the body, for reasons not fully understood, begins to activate inflammatory cells without apparent indications, it leads to significant illness and chronic conditions.
As public health measures and the availability of antibiotics have reduced the dangers of acute inflammatory diseases, non-communicable chronic diseases like diabetes, chronic arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, autoimmune disorders such as connective tissue disorders, certain cancers like colorectal cancer, lung diseases like asthma, mental illnesses like depression, metabolic diseases like diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders like those affecting the limbic system, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s are some examples of chronic conditions fueled by chronic inflammation. Most of the time, we do not know what triggers such a response; however, in metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance is the primary cause of developing diabetes.
In turn, insulin resistance is related to chronic inflammation of insulin receptors, which is also linked to inflammatory glycated proteins. These inflammatory markers also initiate vascular inflammation, leading to plaque formation and heart attacks. So, are you getting the picture? These may be associated with an imbalance in mitochondrial dysfunction (mitochondria are the powerhouse of energy production in the form of ATP), free radical production, or oxidative stress, to name a few. Chronic emotional, physical, and relational stress is also linked to inflammatory proteins like cytokines; inflammation is the root of most chronic diseases. This is why there are two editorials on this critical topic.
The development of the inflammatory response is linked to what we call lifestyle factors. These factors are under your control, as opposed to genetic factors, which we cannot control. Generally, the rule 80:20 applies: 80 percent environmental (lifestyle), 20 percent inheritance (genetic). The causes of lifestyle issues vary, and a lack of awareness plays a significant role. Factors such as a sedentary lifestyle are part of inflammaging, which refers to inflammation that occurs with age. The concept of healthy aging is now a new specialty within medicine. Issues like obesity, an imbalanced gut microbiome, inflammatory foods (to be covered in a whole editorial in a future issue), lack of quality sleep, tobacco use, and substance abuse, including excessive use, all contribute to these problems with alcohol.
So, why this editorial? It aims to engage, educate, and, above all, empower you with the knowledge and tools to reduce lifestyle-mediated inflammatory stimuli. It is estimated that diabetes alone can be delayed and managed, and certain types of Type 2 diabetes can be reversed through lifestyle modification. This is where self-awareness and self-confidence come into play. Yogic principles are among the tools for this self-empowerment.
So what are some of the things you can do?
Maintain a healthy weight and be aware of what you eat, why, how, and when you eat it. Maintain a physical activity routine, light exercise, practice yoga like asana and pranayama, and practice meditation. Avoid substance abuse, cigarettes, other types of smoking, and tobacco products. Be aware of street producers and minimize their impact through supportive relationships and emotional and spiritual support. Last but not least, prioritize sleep and ensure you maintain quality sleep.
The bottom line is that chronic inflammation is the foundational cause of chronic illness, and you can prevent it, reduce its intensity, and manage it better by following a healthy lifestyle.
