Lykkers, here's something that might turn your understanding of aging upside down. A common assumption about getting older—that low-level inflammation is a natural and unavoidable part of aging—may not apply to everyone.

In fact, this pattern might be unique to people living in highly industrialized areas, shaped more by environment and lifestyle than by age itself.

New Insights Into Aging and Inflammation

The Role of Inflammation

For years, it has been widely accepted that a slow-burning form of inflammation increases as people grow older. This ongoing process is thought to be responsible for a number of long-term health issues, including metabolic and cardiovascular conditions.

However, new research is challenging this theory.

Comparing Global Communities

A team of researchers from the Aging Research Center at the University of Sherbrooke in Québec examined blood samples from nearly 3,000 people living in four different countries: Italy, Singapore, Bolivia, and Malaysia.

Inflammation, long considered a hallmark of aging, may not be a universal human experience, according to a new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The research suggests that "inflammaging"—chronic, low-grade inflammation associated with aging—appears to be a byproduct of industrialized lifestyles and varies significantly across global populations.

These participants included both individuals from industrialized urban settings and others from remote, non-industrialized communities—the Tsimane people in the Amazonian area and the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia.

Tracking Inflammatory Molecules

The scientists studied eight different cytokines—proteins released by immune cells that play a central role in inflammation. Their goal was to observe how levels of these cytokines changed with age across the four groups. They also explored whether elevated levels of these markers were connected to age-related health concerns.

Not All Inflammation Is the Same

Industrialized Communities

In participants from Italy and Singapore, inflammation markers consistently increased with age. Higher levels were also linked to chronic conditions such as diabetes and kidney dysfunction. This matched previous findings from many studies done in similar settings.

Non-Industrialized Populations

Surprisingly, among the Tsimane and Orang Asli, high levels of inflammatory markers were found regardless of age. These communities did not show the same pattern of increasing inflammation with advancing years.

In these cases, the inflammation was often triggered by short-term infections—viral, bacterial, or caused by parasites—rather than ongoing internal issues.

Chronic vs. Acute Inflammation

These results suggest that inflammation in non-industrialized societies is more often a temporary, defensive response to infection rather than a sign of aging or long-term illness. This raises important questions about how environmental stressors, pollutants, and habits in industrialized regions might influence how the body handles inflammation.

Why the Difference Matters

Scientific Bias

Most medical research comes from highly developed countries. This means that what's seen as "normal" may not reflect how bodies function elsewhere. The assumption that inflammation naturally rises with age could be more of a regional observation than a global truth.

The Environmental Factor

Living in a highly processed environment, surrounded by manufactured chemicals and exposed to daily stressors, might interfere with the body's ability to manage inflammation. These influences may push the body into a constant state of low-grade immune activation, raising the risk for chronic illness.

Lifespan Considerations

One possible limitation of this research is that non-industrialized populations often have shorter life expectancies. Some argue that people in these communities may not live long enough to show the same patterns of inflammation-related aging seen in places with extended lifespans.

What This Means Going Forward

Not One-Size-Fits-All

The idea that inflammation always increases with age might not be universal. It appears to depend heavily on environmental exposure and living conditions.

A body exposed to clean air, natural food, and fewer processed substances might age differently than one in a high-pollution, high-stress urban setting.

Health Beyond Borders

This study is a reminder that health is deeply tied to the surrounding world. It calls for broader studies that include a variety of populations, beyond the industrial hubs where most health data is collected. Only then can a more complete picture of human aging emerge.

In Summary

The way the body ages might be far more influenced by lifestyle and surroundings than previously believed. While inflammation has been considered a standard marker of aging, this new research hints that it's not a global rule.

For Lykkers who are curious about how to age well, this highlights the power of clean environments, balanced living, and staying connected to nature. As science digs deeper into the differences between communities, one thing becomes clearer: aging doesn’t look the same for everyone.