Episode 4: Aging's Inflammation Link: Environment or Inevitable?

This Deep Dive examines a recent study that challenges the long-held assumption that inflammation is an inevitable part of aging, suggesting it might be more influenced by environment and lifestyle. Comparing data from industrialized and non-industrialized populations, researchers found different types of inflammation and observed that it didn't necessarily increase with age in the latter groups. This indicates that factors like diet, exposure to pollutants, and infections could play a more significant role in "inflammaging" than age itself. While the findings spark discussion and require further validation, they propose that urbanized conditions may contribute to chronic inflammation, emphasizing the need for a broader global perspective on aging health.