What is inflammation?
The body’s inflammatory response is an essential part of its innate protective mechanisms. This response is induced for wound healing purposes and to restore tissue homeostasis. The inflammatory response is generally resolved in a timely matter when the triggering agent is removed or eliminated. However, if the inflammatory response has not been resolved due to persistence of the triggering agent or unsuccessful repair of the dysfunctional tissue a sustained inflammatory process develops.
How does inflammation impact health?
An increased level of inflammatory markers in your blood due to a sustained inflammatory response can cause an array of issues that range from mood disorders to chronic disease. Within the literature, high levels of inflammatory markers have been ranked as a significant modifiable risk factor contributing to prevalence and severity of high blood pressure, diabetes, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
How can exercise help?
Excess adipose tissue is known to perpetuate this chronic inflammatory response by secreting pro-inflammatory markers. Exercise in all forms triggers the body to release anti-inflammatory markers while also removing excess adipose tissue alongside a healthy diet. Studys have shown that a weight reduction exercise intervention will reduce the amount of blood circulating pro-inflammatory markers. Therefore, reducing the level of inflammation in the body. This change then leads to reduced risk of chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease.
Tsoupras, A., Lordan, R., & Zabetakis, I. (2018). Inflammation, not Cholesterol, Is a Cause of Chronic Disease. Nutrients, 10(5), 604. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10050604
