Age-associated chronic diseases require age-old medicine: Role of chronic inflammation

Abstract

Most chronic diseases - such as cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, arthritis, diabetes and obesity - are becoming leading causes of disability and death all over the world. Some of the most common causes of these age-associated chronic diseases are lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption. All the risk factors linked to these chronic diseases have been shown to up-regulate inflammation. Therefore, downregulation of inflammation-associated risk factors could prevent or delay these age-associated diseases. Although modern science has developed several drugs for treating chronic diseases, most of these drugs are enormously expensive and are associated with serious side effects and morbidity. In this review, we present evidence on how chronic inflammation leads to age-associated chronic disease. Furthermore, we discuss diet and lifestyle as solutions for age-associated chronic disease.

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants with hallucinogenic effect and plants used against pain, inflammatory diseases, diabetes and urinary lithiasis in Zagora “Morocco”.

“…Our results are similar to other studies conducted in near regions. These results could be explained first by the relationship existing between age progressing and chronic diseases [22][23][24][25]. Second, people more than 50 years old have more knowledge to use MPs than young people; such knowledge is usually acquired following a long experience and transmission from one generation to another [26].…”

Multiple effects of physical activity on molecular and cognitive signs of brain aging: can exercise slow neurodegeneration and delay Alzheimer’s disease?

“…Thus increasing physical activity may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease by lowering chronic inflammation. 91 The effect of the Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele…”

The Completed Self: An Immunological View of the Human-Microbiome Superorganism and Risk of Chronic Diseases

“…In fact, most chronic diseases are dependent upon chronic inflammation as a key factor in their development and/or maintenance [91]. Additionally, Prasad et al [92] argue that all risk factors of chronic diseases up-regulate inflammation. The problem is so pervasive and extensive that Aller et al [93] suggested that inflammation problems have the potential to exert an evolutionary impact.…”