Have you ever heard of inflammation? To put it simply, inflammation is the body’s first line of defense against sickness and injuries. Unfortunately, as we’ve come to understand, the body can only handle so much, before it turns against itself. If it lasts too long, inflammation can become chronic, leading the body to not only attack itself, but it may also worsen with age, thus raising the risk for the latest threat to our longevity; inflammaging. We spoke to Dr. Patrizia d’Alessio, a hematologist and founder of AISA Moleculum at the recent Longevity Dublin Summit 2024.
What is inflammaging?
“[Inflammaging] was created in the 90s by Claudio Franceschi, a great Italian immunologist, a specialist in centenarians, and he has put the relationship between the constant inflammatory and silent inflammatory challenge and the propensity to accelerate aging,” explained Dr. Patrizia d’Alessio, a hematologist and founder of AISA Moleculum.
We met Dr. d’Alessio at the recent Longevity Dublin Summit 2024. Speaking more on inflammation, Dr. d’Alessio refers to it as a task force, whereby Navy SEALs go, perform their jobs, and return. Yet, this is only true in the body of a healthy person.
What causes inflammaging?
There are still many theories about what triggers inflammaging, one of which is cellular senescence,
“Every cell, at a very different rhythm in the body, ages, and what concerns its replicative capacity,” explains Dr. d’Alessio, “so at some point it stops to replicate and becomes a senescent cell.”
Dr. d’Alessio further explains that senescent cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is a good thing. That is, until the inflammation gets out of control. Senescent cells accumulate as we age, not only worsening inflammation, but also increasing the risk for chronic conditions as we get older.
How does inflammaging affect the body?
According to research published in Nature Reviews, the combination of chronic inflammation and aging is as scary as it sounds, with it increasing the risk for many chronic conditions that include;
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Depression
Dealing with inflammaging
You can’t run away from aging – but that doesn’t mean you can’t curb chronic inflammation.
If you’re hoping to take control of your health, Dr. d’Alessio’s advice would be that you first understand your body better, saying that the key to better health isn’t about supplements, but rather about who you are.
“You have to be aware of your body, and be able to feel when something is wrong or get to a point of knowing when you’re getting sick,” she says.
Inflammation is at the basis of aging. AISA research and products are about stopping inflammation to stop aging. In doing so, they have also been shown to treat chronic inflammatory diseases.
A company focussed on addressing inflammation
Following on from her formidable scientific career, Dr. d’Alessio founded AISA Therapeutics which develops nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and pharmacological products under the brand AISA moleculum®. AISA Capsules are Nutraceuticals increasing lifespan – healthspan – longevity and quality of life thanks to their non toxic anti-inflammatory and mood enhancing effect.
In addition, AISA Cosmeceuticals focus on skin beautification, wiping away wrinkles, restoring skin elasticity and cancelling redness (one of the signs of inflammation). AISA molecules are non-toxic, have an anti-inflammatory effect and display anti-stress and anti-aging properties based on their anti-senescence activity.
Watch The Interview on Inflammaging with Dr. Patrizia d’Alessio and Longevity
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Six Key daily habits to reduce inflammation
Dr. d’Alessio explains the science behind her work and products and why managing inflammation is one of the cornerstones of longevity.
In addition to her insights, we’ve researched and compiled this short list of daily habits that can help you combat inflammaging.
1. D-Limonene
D-Limonene is a compound derived from citrus peels that Dr. d’Alessio has become well acquainted with.
The compound forms the basis of Dr. d’Alessio’s products, due to its ability to improve both mood and skin – both of which can be credited to its anti-inflammatory effects,
“D-Limonene liberates your own dopamine frozen in your synapses, because you are inflamed.” explains Dr. d’Alessio, adding that this liberation leads to a release of dopamine, resulting in improved mood.
2. Breathing exercises
This is something that you can easily do at your desk, especially if you’re having a long day.
Referred to as cardiac coherence, Dr. d’Alessio suggests you do this several times a day, for two to five minutes,
“It’s just breathing and exhaling for a long time – it’s about exhale, not inhale,” says Dr. d’Alessio. She further explains that this type of breathing can help avoid several autosympathetic peaks, which is when the mind races and cortisol levels increase, which can then trigger inflammation.
3. Get enough sleep
Per Harvard Health, poor sleep is associated with inflammatory biomakers, so it would be advisable to get your 8 hours. Dr. d’Alessio’s D-Limonene-rich products have also been associated with better sleep.
4. Exercise
There’s a reason why staying active reduces the risk for chronic conditions, and that’s because exercise has anti-inflammatory effects (Scheffer, 2020). Whether it’s sweating it out during an intense HIIT session, taking a brisk afternoon walk, or unwinding with evening yoga, exercise can serve to prevent inflammaging.
5. Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet
If you want to manage inflammation, it would be advisable to focus on foods that protect your gut, as Dr. d’Alessio explains that protecting and maintaining gut health can help combat inflammation.
This type of diet would include leafy green vegetables, fruits, nuts, fatty fish, and whole grain, while low in highly-processed foods, refined carbohydrates and red meat.
6. Quit smoking
Not that you needed any more reason to quit this disgusting habit, but smoking has been found to promote inflammation throughout the body. If you’re struggling to kick the habit, here’s an easy guide.
References
AISA, acronym of Anti Inflammatory Senescence Actives, is a start-up created by Dr. d’Alessio following her national award for Innovation. Focused on the research and development of new anti-inflammatory / anti-senescence molecules as an alternative to steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-TNF drugs, AISA Therapeutics displays a consequent patent portfolio covering about 50 claims in human and animal health granted in Europe, USA and China.
This interview took place at the Longevity Dublin Summit 2024
Ferrucci, L., & Fabbri, E. (2018). Inflammageing: Chronic inflammation in ageing, cardiovascular disease, and frailty. Nature Reviews. Cardiology, 15(9), 505. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41569-018-0064-2
Harvard Health. (2024). How sleep deprivation can cause inflammation. [online] Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/how-sleep-deprivation-can-cause-inflammation.
Scheffer, L., & Latini, A. (2020). Exercise-induced immune system response: Anti-inflammatory status on peripheral and central organs. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. Molecular Basis of Disease, 1866(10), 165823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165823
