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Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Lifestyle, not age alone, may be driving chronic inflammation
New Delhi: As you grow old, is inflammation of your system bothering you? It might not be just your age, as your lifestyle could also be responsible for it. A new study published in Nature Aging suggests that "inflammaging" — a chronic, low-grade inflammation commonly linked with ageing — may actually be a result of modern lifestyles rather than an inevitable part of growing old. Researchers from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health compared inflammation patterns in older adults from industrialised nations (Italy and Singapore) with those in indigenous populations living traditional lifestyles, such as the Tsimane in Bolivia and the Orang Asli in Malaysia. The contrast was striking. In industrialised populations, levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor rose steadily with age and were strongly associated with chronic illnesses like heart disease, kidney dysfunction and diabetes. By contrast, while Indigenous communities showed elevated inflammation due to constant exposure to infections, these markers did not increase with age, nor were they linked to similar rates of chronic disease. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi "Inflammaging may not be a direct result of ageing, but rather a response to industrialised environments," explained Dr Alan Cohen, associate professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University and faculty member of Butler Columbia Aging Center. "Our immune systems evolved under very different conditions than those we live in now." Health experts echo these findings, warning that a host of modern factors, including processed diets, sedentary lifestyles, environmental pollution, chronic stress and poor sleep, are major contributors to persistent inflammation. "In industrialised societies, inflammation is largely sterile and ongoing, caused by metabolic changes and immune dysfunction—not infections," said Dr Richa Chaturvedi, senior consultant, endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals. "In contrast, in traditional societies, inflammation is mostly infection-related and doesn't necessarily lead to long-term disease." Dietician Anjali Bhola from NCI Jhajjar, AIIMS, noted that diets high in sugar, salt, and refined carbs, coupled with erratic sleep and chronic stress, disrupt gut health and raise inflammatory markers. "These factors not only speed up biological ageing but also heighten the risk of non-communicable diseases," she said. Maj. Gen. Dr Darshan Singh Bhakuni, senior director, rheumatology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, echoed this. "Inflammation in Indigenous groups is typically driven by infections but doesn't worsen with age. This suggests that inflammation may reflect infectious burden more than biological ageing." "In communities such as the Tsimane and Orang Asli, ongoing exposure to infections keeps inflammation high at all ages," said Dr Setu Gupta, associate consultant, endocrinology & metabolism, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. "But unlike in industrialised societies, this inflammation doesn't increase with age or lead to chronic diseases." Dr Parjeet Kaur, associate director, endocrinology & diabetes, Medanta, Gurugram, explained that while infectious inflammation is usually acute and short-lived, inflammaging is ongoing and driven by non-infectious factors. "The two involve similar immune pathways, but their triggers and outcomes are different," she said. So, can inflammaging be prevented? Experts believe it can be managed—and even reversed—with the right lifestyle changes. Dr Bhola advises a high-fibre, high-protein, low-carb diet with limited salt and sugar, 2 to 2.5 litres of water daily, and foods rich in zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, and iron. She also emphasises regular moderate exercise, 7–9 hours of quality sleep, and stress-reduction techniques such as yoga and mindfulness. The study reinforces a powerful message: ageing itself may not be the main cause of chronic inflammation—how we live might be. Healthier ageing, it seems, begins with rethinking the way we eat, move and rest. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
On Mounjaro, US comedian Rosie O'Donnell shows off weight loss: Is the drug safe for 60-plus women?
American comedian and talk show host Rosie O'Donnell, 63, stunned everybody with her weight loss transformation post, looking visibly slender from her plump self that viewers have been used to. She made an admission too, that she had been on the weight loss drug tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro. 'I can't believe this is me now,' she captioned the photo. In an earlier interaction on social media, she had said, 'I've lost more weight. I am on Mounjaro for my diabetes and one of the side effects is you lose weight.' Apart from medication, she also switched over to home-cooked meals, avoided sugar and drank more water. What makes her two-year journey unique is the fact that she started on her weight loss journey after 60. The question is should a 60-year-old, post-menopausal woman start on a regime of Mounjaro? 'Yes, it is perfectly safe to start Mounjaro at that age,' says Dr Richa Chaturvedi, endocrinologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. Mounjaro or tirzepatide, which is now available in India, mimics the function of natural hormones GIP and GLP-1. It has a double effect, of increasing insulin secretion in response to food intake and improving glucose control and weight loss. It is officially approved for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss in people with obesity or overweight plus related health conditions. Current clinical trials have shown similar efficacy and safety profiles for all test cases over the age of 18. However, due to age-related metabolism and co-morbidities, older patients may need a more customised approach. 'It is safe for people over 60 but we generally do not prescribe it for those over 70 because there are limited studies on this,' says Dr Anoop Misra, chairman, Fortis C-DOC for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, New Delhi. He advises caution. 'Tirzepatide should not be used by people with type 1 diabetes, severe kidney or liver disease, personal or family history of thyroid cancer and severe gastrointestinal disorders like pancreatitis,' he says. Also a protocol would depend on what other medication the patient is on. A UK study by Voy and the Imperial College of London has shown that women over 55 outperform even younger people on weight loss drugs. That's because they tracked their health better. 'If taking Mounjaro at a late age, make sure that the patient has a high-protein diet to stabilise blood sugar and preserve lean muscle mass. If the elderly lose muscle mass, they become more prone to falls and broken bones. Rapid weight loss can cause bones to lose density and strength. This has to be coupled with strength training. Some squats, lunges, calf raises and weight routines should be done other than walking,' says Dr Chaturvedi. As these drugs can induce stomach paralysis, users, according to her, should have enough water as dehydration can cause the elderly to feel faint and fall.
