Inflammation in the organism is a natural and protective response of the immune system to damage or injury, infection, and irritation. When the body detects a threat, such as bacteria, viruses, injury or toxic substances, it activates the inflammatory process to protect and heal itself, and this is the physiological acute inflammation.
However, if inflammation is not eliminated or treated it becomes chronic or excessive, a state that can cause tissue damage and contribute to the development of various diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis…
As we age, the immune system undergoes a number of changes, including an alteration in its ability to respond effectively to infection or cellular damage.
This state of immune senescence leads to an overproduction of pro-inflammatory molecules such as cytokines (e.g., TFN-∝ , IL-6) and acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein. These molecules are normally involved in immune responses, but when they are released chronically and in the absence of an acute infection, they contribute to a persistent inflammatory state that can make us more easily ill, damage tissues, and accelerate degenerative processes.
This “uncontrolled” immune reaction, or rather this chronic low-grade inflammation associated with the natural aging process is known as “Inflammaging” (from the union of the words inflammation and aging) a combination that is considered one of the key factors in accelerating the aging process at the cellular and systemic levels, and which, as stated earlier, contributes to the onset of numerous age-related conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Inflammaging is at the root of aging and many age-related chronic diseases and fueled by them.1
Several factors contribute to Inflammaging:
Factors (dysregulated biological processes and lifestyle changes) that contribute to Inflammaging and its associated health risks. 2
Inflammaging is a multi-organ and systemic phenomenon that originates within cells with contributions from different organelles in a complex interaction of multiple molecular mediators in a wide network of biological processes.
As a primary and ubiquitous factor of aging, Inflammaging exerts a cross-cutting action on each of the 9 biochemical mechanisms (9 Hallmarks of Aging) that fuel the primary causes of physiological decline in the human body.3
Notably, there is a bidirectional relationship, in which chronic low-grade inflammation has the capacity to accentuate the 9 Hallmarks of Aging but is at the same time part of the resultant outcome. This interconnection feeds a vicious cycle that promotes the onset of pathological manifestations in the various districts of the body, from the cardiovascular system to metabolic control.
The main cause of brain aging is neuroinflammation 4: It has been shown in experimental studies how chronic pro-inflammatory mechanisms at the neuronal level (resulting in increased cytokines) play a central role in the development of cognitive defects, promoting the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Cytokines cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to structural alterations in brain proteins, microglial activation (of immune cells in the brain and spinal cord), increased oxidative stress, and persistent synaptic activity that eventually self-fuel inflammation in the brain network.5
In addition, cognitive disorders are often accompanied by excess oxidative stress, with alterations at the mitochondrial level causing reduced neuronal energy and a progressive loss of cholinergic neurons (neurons crucial for the proper functioning of many cognitive processes-learning, memory, attention, motivation-and physiological processes, e.g., muscle) and neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine.6
The skin’s natural defense mechanisms also alter with age, and the physiological accumulation of inflammation becomes a central element in the skin’s aging process.
Inflammaging locally alters the balance and function of the skin barrier, accelerates cellular damage, and limits the skin’s regenerative potential.
Due to the progressive reduction of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, skin subjected to low-grade inflammation over time exhibits increased expression lines, loss of elasticity (uneven skin tone), hyperpigmentation phenomena, and general loss of skin firmness. 7
But that’s not all: skin inflammation causes systemic effects on the body’s aging process through the activation of SASP (Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype), which represents inflammation at the molecular level.8,9 The skin, in fact, builds up senescent cells that have lost their ability to divide but are not dead. Remaining, in fact, metabolically active and thus significantly altering the surrounding microenvironment, they “infect” neighboring cells, promoting inflammation and pathological changes, triggering a vicious cycle that is self-feeding.
Inflammaging at the molecular, cellular and organ levels. During the aging process, the immune system loses the ability to recognize and eliminate senescent cells that accumulate and trigger chronic inflammation, eventually affecting tissues and organs.5
Atlas of aging organs with respective functional cellular changes. Aging is manifested by a decline in the function of each organ, which increases the risk and susceptibility to age-related diseases.5
The insidious thing is that the body, brain and skin undergo chronic inflammation long before symptoms appear.
The good news? Inflammaging can be contained and counteracted, becoming an important target for strategies to promote Healthy Aging and a better quality of life lived.
The in-depth study of Inflammaging has paved the way toward a holistic and integrated approach among complex systems to promote the health of our body in the natural aging process, preventing the development of multimorbidity that inevitably compromises our healthspan 10, or the amount of years lived in health.
Multimodal intervention strategies on our lifestyle such as proper nutrition (diet, food supplementation), physical activity, stress management, sleep, and taking care of own skin can restrain inflammation to benefit health, at any age.
All HAP Body Brain Skin® formulation solutions aim to rebalance the inflammatory process over time for synergistic, cross-cutting and deep action at the roots of aging to promote Body, Brain and Skin health.
Beginning with the body system, with the Body 9:9® food supplement we target the roots of the Body’s chronic inflammatory process for broad-spectrum prevention of the 9 main biochemical mechanisms (9 Hallmarks of Aging) through a unique combination of actives aimed at the 9 targets of action but also united by anti-inflammatory action.
In promoting and enhancing the 5 cognitive abilities, the nootropics selected for Brain 5:5® food supplement reduce the inflammatory and oxidative state in the brain, protecting brain function from toxins so as to enhance neuroprotection and promote healthy aging of the Brain.
Not forgetting our body’s largest organ and first source of defense to the outside world, Skin 3:3® dermocosmetic face cream acts at the base of the tissue change triggered by low-grade inflammation, enhancing the 3 fundamental actions of a healthy skin that are also its main defense mechanisms. Its innovative synergistic and deep activity in the 3 skin layers thus allows skin aging to be kept in balance.
In conclusion, chronic low-grade inflammation, as well as aging, is thus a “malleable” process that can be addressed and controlled to live wonderfully healthy lives, but only if we deal with it as soon as possible with a deep, consistent and integrated science-based approach.
Our product formulations can offer extra “power”, adding wellness and consequently life to years.
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