"How Chronic Inflammation Increases the Risk of Heart Disease and Diabetes"
Inflammation and Chronic Disease Prevention Inflammation is a natural and necessary process in the body. It is part of your immune system’s defense mechanism, helping you fight infections , heal injuries, and recover from harmful invaders. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, lasting for months or even years, it can silently damage tissues and increase the risk of serious health conditions. Understanding how inflammation works and how to control it is a key step in preventing chronic disease. What Is Inflammation? Inflammation is your body’s protective response to injury, infection, or toxins. When you cut your finger or catch a cold, your immune system sends white blood cells and chemical messengers to the affected area. This causes redness, swelling, heat, and sometimes pain. This type of inflammation is called acute inflammation, and it is short-term and beneficial. The problem begins when inflammation does not switch off properly. This long-lasting response is known as ch...