Inflammation: Causes and Consequences Quiz

Answer: C-reactive protein

For a long time, coronary artery disease was thought of as just fat building up on the inner artery walls, leading to blockage and heart attacks. Nowadays, scientists see arteries as not so much a victim, but partly a participant in the progression of atherosclerosis. Inflammation in the blood vessels, which are less flexible than other parts of the body, leads to blood clots.

The chemical C-reactive protein (CRP) has become somewhat of a predictor of heart disease risk. High levels of CRP and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase indicate inflammation of the blood vessels in those people at the highest risk of stroke.

Answer: Cytokines

Cytokines are small proteins produced by fat cells and immune cells, and are essential in the immune system's cell signaling. Cells release these cytokines to send signals to nearby or distant cells. The cytokines bind to receptors on the targeted cells, triggering reactions. For example, when we get a flu infection, cytokines like interferons signal nearby cells to boost defenses. Cytokines send messages for coordinating immunity and healing.

However, too high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines can make people less responsive to vaccines and drugs, so it makes it more difficult to improve after an illness. Cytokines also play a role in producing the inflammatory chemicals C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Historically, when our life expectancy was about 50, there wasn't as much chronic inflammation going around, but now that we do reach a higher age, our diminishing proper exercise regimen doesn't support good health, and we are vulnerable to an overaggressive immune system.

Answer: Vagus nerve

In a 2003 study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine (now Psychosomatic Medicine), researchers discovered that levels of inflammatory chemicals rose four times faster in women who were caregivers to a spouse with dementia. The study, authored by Janice Kiecolt-Glaser of the Ohio State College of Medicine, showed that chronic psychological stress could biologically age the immune system.

Taking a deep breath may help. Abdominal breathing stimulates the longest cranial nerve, called the vagus nerve which stretches from the brain to the abdomen, and creates a state of calm. Deep, slow breaths expand the diaphragm, pressing against the vagus nerve's abdominal branches, reducing the release of inflammatory factors.

Answer: Licocalcone

Overexposure to the sun triggers inflammation in the more obvious way that we think of it - as very visible redness on the skin which turns later into sagging skin, lines, and wrinkles. Damage can accumulate little by little.

Using anti-inflammatory skin-care products can help in other ways, though. Prominent ones include licocalcone, which is actually a licorice extract. The herb feverfew, and sea whip marine extract are also anti-inflammatory ingredients found in skin-care products like cream or sunscreen. Anti-inflammatory products decrease blood vessel dilation, suppress cytokines, and improve skin redness, itching, flaking and burning, according to dermatology experts.

Answer: Circulatory

Endothelial refers to the thin layer of cells lining the interior surface of blood vessels, lymphatics, and the heart. Smoke damages the circulatory system's blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis (plaque buildup).

Exposure to tobacco smoke, whether directly or second hand, inflames blood vessels and raises cardiovascular risk and also damages skin. It's almost never too late to stop smoking, and observe improvement in your health. In one study, C-reactive proteins in people who quit smoking five years beforehand were comparable to those of non smokers. Tobacco smoke is not the only bad smoke. Reducing exposure to any type of smoke, including automobile exhaust, smoke from cooking, barbecue smoke, and even incense can exacerbate all kinds of inflammatory issues. Even vaping can cause inflammation.

Answer: White bread, white rice

Foods that are limited in the Mediterranean diet include refined grains like white bread, white rice and pastries. Substitutes for white bread can be whole-grain sourdough, and instead of white rice, use whole grain rice.

Research by PREDIMED-Plus (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea), a landmark Spanish clinical trial, has shown that spending two years on a Mediterranean diet that emphasized whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil allowed people to lose more weight and reduce blood levels of CRP and IL-6 far more than those who followed a more generic diet for the same period.

Answer: The foods are digested more slowly

Different foods are digested at different rates, according to their glycemic index. Foods high on the glycemic index are digested more quickly than those lower on the index. Those foods high on the index, so digested quicker, cause a spike in blood sugar and insulin, which triggers inflammation.

In a Harvard Nurses Health Study, the higher glycemic diet was linked to higher CRP levels. Some common high glycemic index foods include refined carbohydrates (white bread, white rice, regular pasta), sugary foods and drinks, processed foods, starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn, and packaged foods. Many spices such as turmeric, ginger, rosemary, oregano, cayenne, nutmeg, and cloves have natural anti-inflammatory chemicals.

Answer: Omega-3 and Omega-9 fatty acids

There are bad fats and there are good fats. Omega-3 fatty acids are good ones, and they are found in cold-water fish oil, walnuts, green leafy vegetables and flaxseed. Omega-9 fatty acids are found in olive oil. Both those fatty acids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and for heart health.

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in various vegetable oils, and though they are essential, they should be ingested in balance with omega-3s to avoid inflammation. Saturated fats found in red meat and dairy products and also in some vegetable oils are the bad fats, and they can cause inflammation.

Answer: Rheumatoid arthritis

When our bodies suffer a trauma or infection, inflammation occurs during which certain cells and chemicals are activated to heal our organs. When the problem dies down, production of those chemicals is reduced, because those same chemicals that made our bodies inhospitable hosts to infections can ironically make us feel sick and cause damage of their own, like inflammation.

In rheumatoid arthritis, TNF-? attacks the joint tissues, causing pain, swelling, and bone erosion. It is treated with anti-TNF drugs such as adalimumab, or infliximab. The USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging study, determined that some fish oil supplements can reduce IL-6 and TNF in healthy older people.

Cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and Huntington's disease are caused by DNA mutations, genetic mutations that are non-inflammatory.

Answer: Advanced glycation end products

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are harmful compounds created when proteins like meat, and fats are cooked at high temperatures and then combine with sugars in the bloodstream, causing a reaction the same as low-grade infections.

Grilled steak, for instance, gets seared or charred at high heat and creates these advanced glycation end-products which then bind to receptors on cells triggering a pathway releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-? and IL-6. Systemic inflammation emerges, which is strongly linked to chronic diseases and conditions caused by prolonged immune activation and tissue damage.