Wilson 17

​Aging is inevitable, but it does not have to be traumatic. Growing old does not have to be

synonymous with deteriorating health and a continually weakening immune system. Although

the immune system providing a less sufficient response to infections and overall weaker

resistance to pathogens with age, immune senescence, or the aging and consequential

deterioration of the immune system, is multifactorial and many of these factors can be combated

to prevent the decay of health and substantially improve immune system functioning in the

elderly. One such factor is chronic low-grade inflammation, persisting inflammation caused by

an unnecessary immune response. ​A main cause of the aging process and deterioration of the

immune system is chronic low-grade inflammation, but the elderly can reduce it by diet,

exercise, and anti-inflammatory treatments.

The innate immune response is damaged by chronic low-grade inflammation. An immune

response occurs when a pathogen enters the body. Pathogens are bacteria, viruses, and any

substances that do not belong in the body. The innate immune response is the immediate

response to the presence of these pathogens. It occurs when an immune cell finds and identifies

the pathogen by binding to its marker proteins. Upon recognizing the protein shape, the cell

attacks it. It signals for more immune cells to identify the intruder, triggering the active immune

response which targets that specific pathogen. The exhaustion of the innate immune cells is

caused by chronic low-grade inflammation overexerting them and is harmful to your overall

health.
 Wilson 17

Immune senescence, or the aging and deterioration of the immune system, impairs the innate

immune response. Innate immune response cells become increasingly unable to fight pathogens

and dispose of them by phagocytosis, which is the process of swallowing the pathogens and

digesting them before or in order to kill them. Exhausted immune cells are unable to carry out

phagocytosis, allowing live pathogens to remain and waste to litter the body. The live pathogens

continue to multiply and damage the body by taking over cells and multiplying while dead

pathogens and waste disrupt the functioning of cells around them. This overall damage and

disruption has a collective negative effect on one’s health. This damage occurs due to

inflammaging which is characterized by low-grade inflammation and its negative impact of

exhausting immune cells. Both inflammaging and the process of aging are “thought to represent

the progressive increase and spread of inflamed local and systemic environments of aged bodies”

(Reeve 1). The increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the immune system creates

this spread of inflammation. Cytokines are signals used by the body to trigger various different

responses. Pro-inflammatory cytokines trigger inflammation to fight pathogens. In chronic

low-grade inflammation the secretion of such cytokines is increased without need from the body.

The resulting prolonged low-grade causes inflammation cells to function differently, and the

ability of your immune cells to fight infections is decreased.

Inflammaging includes the low-grade inflammation that characterises aging and the negative

impacts of that inflammation. Inflammaging “represent[s] the progressive increase and spread of

inflamed local and systemic environments of aged bodies” (Reeve 1). This increase and spread

of inflammation is caused by the increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This causes

 Wilson 17

the alteration of cellular communication and epigenetics which affects the concentration of

pro-inflammatory cytokines and their signal pathways. The body regulates its functions,

including the amount of inflammation present, using these signal pathways and gene expression.

The cytokines are the signals in these pathways and their creation is triggered by the expression

of a specific gene. They are secreted in response to the detection of pathogens, signalling the

resulting inflammation in order to aid the immune response. The signalled changes cause your

cells to function differently, and diminish the ability of your immune cells to fight infections.

The overall effect of the increased secretion is chronic low-grade inflammation. This

inflammation is unnecessary to protect the body and exhausts immune cells. This exhaustion

diminishes their ability to function. This means that if pro-inflammatory cytokines can be

counteracted, then their negative impacts on innate immune system functioning will also be.

Anti-inflammatory cytokines directly prevent the negative impacts of chronic low-grade

inflammation. Anti-inflammatory cytokines have this effect because they are inhibitors of

pro-inflammatory cytokines and are used by the body to regulate the immune system and

inflammation specifically. They inhibit the production of specific proinflammatory cytokines and

reduce the formerly increased secretion of such cytokines. The effects of increased secretion of

proinflammatory cytokines are therefore reduced by anti-inflammatory cytokines. The direct

application of certain anti-inflammatory cytokines to their opposing pro-inflammatory cytokines

reduces chronic low-grade inflammation.

 Wilson 17

Treating the overabundance involves applying a specific concentration and anti-inflammatory

cytokine in response to the increased secretion and causes of chronic low-grade inflammation.

Only “specific ones would correspond” to “directly counteract the effects of the inflammatory

cytokines” (Miniciullo 2) because the anti-inflammatory cytokines only inhibit production of

specific proinflammatory cytokines. The concentration of the anti-inflammatory must be

balanced with that of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in order for your immune system to remain

function. An overabundance of anti-inflammatory cytokines would cause an over correction.

This anti-inflammatory trend “may cause an increased susceptibility to infections in

pre-reproducing life” (Miniciulo 122).​ ​Inflammation remains an integral part of immune

response to pathogens. The excess of anti-inflammatory cytokines would impair this response by

disabling the body from creating inflammation on the scale it is needed. Matching the

concentration of the anti-inflammatory cytokines to the excess pro-inflammatory cytokine

secreted allows for the unnecessary inflammation to be prevented. This means that the

exhaustion of immune cells from overuse due to inflammation is minimized while not impairing

the immune response to threats it utilises inflammation to combat.

Metabolism is another factor in how fast the body ages.while diet is a prevalent factor in

the chronic low-grade inflammation that exists in your body. Following an anti-inflammatory

diet and avoiding certain foods and drinks that promote inflammation would allow for the

immune system to reduce the overall inflammation in the body. Certain vitamins and minerals

present in these foods improve the functioning of the immune system and reduce chronic

low-grade inflammation. The nutrients and components work similarly to the anti-inflammatory
 Wilson 17

cytokines by counteracting chemicals that are meant to increase inflammation. They are similarly

beneficial to the productivity of the immune system.

Free radicals contribute to the build up of inflammation in the body. Pro-inflammatory

cytokines are increasingly secreted in response to their presence, creating more inflammation as

the concentration of free radicals increases. . They are created via a process called oxidation,

which involves the exchange of an electron from one molecule to another. A highly reactive

molecules is created by the resulting unpaired electron. Antioxidants prevent oxidation from

occurring and therefore reduce the amount of free radicals present in the body. Many different

foods have antioxidants in them. . Consuming any of these foods rich in antioxidants as apart of

on anti-inflammatory diet prevents further inflammation from being created by free radicals.

The anti-inflammatory diet found to be successful in studies is composed of “fruits,

vegetables, nuts, and whole grains and low in refined grain” (Giugliano 1). Dark green leaves are

specifically known for their anti-inflammatory properties. They “supply a significant amount of

folate…Folate is also necessary for DNA duplication and repair which protects against the

development of cancer.” (Yan 1). Mutations in DNA build and cause certain malfunctions in the

individual cells’ functioning, including immune cell functioning. An increased amount of folate

aids in preventing these mutations and the resulting malfunctions, aiding the immune system’s

integrity. They also improve functioning by providing antioxidants. Because of this “these

natural antioxidant sources can be used as a preventive medicine. Recent investigation suggested

that there is an inverse link between the dietary consumption of antioxidant rich foods and
 Wilson 17

prevalence of human illness” (Arulselvan 5). The immune system’s defense against pathogens is

notably improved by the consumption of antioxidant rich foods. This is most certainly caused by

the reduction of free radicals and the resulting reduction of unnecessary inflammation.

Omega-3 fatty acids, a specific type of fat found in various sources, decrease

inflammation. A diet with omega-3s and polyphenols has been proven successful in reducing

silent inflammation. Silent inflammation is painless inflammation with no visible symptoms.

Omega-3 PUFA reduces this inflammation reduces by reducing the immune response on the

cellular level by “competing with arachidonic acid, which produces inflammatory eicosanoids”

(Blackburn 1). Eicosanoids are chemicals that promote inflammation in the body and the

omega-3 PUFA. Preventing inflammatory eicosanoids from being created and prevents the body

from using them to signal for inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are present in cold-water fatty

fish, walnuts, chia seed, flaxseed, soybean oil, and canola oil. These should be a large part of a

anti-inflammatory diet. The anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant

rich foods would reduce the inflammation in the body significantly. This would reduce the

exhausted cells created by the increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines caused by free

radicals and signalled by eicosanoids.

Exercise impacts how your immune system functions and can affect the overall inflammation

in the body. The overall inflammation can be determined by the circulation of acute-phase

proteins (APPs). The plasma concentrations of this class of proteins either increases or decreases

in response to decrease in inflammation. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a positive acute-phase

 Wilson 17

protein, therefore increasing when inflammation occurs. It is a blood test marker used to assess

chronic low-grade inflammation and changes in the overall inflammation in the body.

Physical activity stimulates the metabolism in the organ systems, including the oxidative,

inflammatory and neuroendocrinological systems. When the body is unaccustomed to exercise,

especially if it is done in long durations and high intensity, there is muscle and connective tissue

damage. This damage causes for an initial increase in inflammation as the body repairs the tissue

damage. If exercise is done consistently at this level of intensity and length of time, the body

attenuates to it as “the tissue adapts to the new overload stress” (Woods 1). Exercise can both

cause and lessen inflammation. Consistent exercise is needed to reduce inflammation in the

body.

A decrease in inflammation is shown in individuals who report performing more frequent

and more intense physical activity. This is measured by the decrease in inflammatory marker

concentrations in these individuals (Nicklas 3). The biomarker concentrations decreased

proportionally to inflammation showing increasing the intensity of an exercise decreased

inflammation. . Studies showed that “exercise intervention resulted in a significant 16%

reduction in IL-6. CRP was 32% lower after exercise” (Woods 1). Inflammation decreased

significantly in proportion to the reduction of CRP. IL-6 or interleukin-6, a prevalent

pro-inflammatory cytokine, decreased with exercise as well. Exercise therefore combats the

secretion of inflammatory cytokines and prevents them from signalling for inflammation. The
 Wilson 17

reduction of inflammation occured within a wide range of ages and races. Exercise has therefore

been proven to consistently reduce inflammation in the body.

To optimize the functioning of immune system in defiance to the natural aging process

involving it’s deterioration one would use anti-inflammatory cytokines to counteract

inflammation and must live a certain lifestyle that reduces inflammation. Inflammation can be

counteracted by opposing the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines with anti-inflammatory.

This, along with a diet that discourages inflammation and an exercise routine that does the same,

will prevent chronic low-grade inflammation and nullify its effect on the innate immune

system’s functioning. These improvements to immune system functioning would give the elderly

an easier, more enjoyable old age, and prolong their life. Their immune systems would be

stronger and more capable of fighting illness. Sickness would not be long and drawn out for the

elderly, they would be able to recover and be healthy. They would live longer and not be

weathered and exhausted from having such long and drawn out fights. If applied earlier in life,

these strategies would prolong life even longer, one’s immune system would act and function as

that of a person substantially younger. These treatments of the immune system’s exhaustion with

age would create a better more enjoyable life for anyone who used them.
 Wilson 17

Works Cited
Arulselvan, Palanisamy, et al. “Role of Antioxidants and Natural Products in Inflammation.”
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, vol. 2016, 2016, doi:10.1155/2016/5276130.
Beavers, Kristen M., et al. “Effect of Exercise Training on Chronic Inflammation.” Clinica
Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry, U.S. National Library of
Medicine, 3 June 2010.
Blackburn, G L. “Nutrition and Inflammatory Events: Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids
(Omega-3 vs Omega-6) in Surgical Injury.” Proceedings of the Society for Experimental
Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York,
N.Y.)., U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 1992.
Franceschi, C. “Inflammaging as a Major Characteristic of Old People: Can It Be
Prevented or Cured?” Nutrition Reviews., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2007.
Franceschi, Claudio, and Judith Campisi. “Chronic Inflammation (Inflammaging) and Its
Potential Contribution to Age-Associated Diseases | The Journals of Gerontology: Series
A | Oxford Academic.” OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 8 May 2014.
Giugliano, D, et al. “The Effects of Diet on Inflammation: Emphasis on the Metabolic
Syndrome.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology., U.S. National Library of
Medicine, 15 Aug. 2006.
Kiecolt-Glaser, Janice K. “Stress, Food, and Inflammation: Psychoneuroimmunology and
Nutrition at the Cutting Edge.” Psychosomatic Medicine, U.S. National Library of
Medicine, May 2010.
Minciullo, Paola Lucia, et al. “Inflammaging and Anti-Inflammaging: The Role of
Cytokines in Extreme Longevity.” SpringerLink, Springer International Publishing, 12
Dec. 2015.
Nicklas, Barbara J., and Tina E. Brinkley. “Exercise Training as a Treatment for Chronic
Inflammation in the Elderly.” Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, U.S. National
Library of Medicine, Oct. 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2789351/.
Reeve, Amy, et al. “Ageing and Parkinson's Disease: Why Is Advancing Age the Biggest
 Wilson 17

Risk Factor?.” Ageing Research Reviews, Elsevier Science, Mar. 2014.

Sifferlin, Alexandra. “How Cycling In Old Age Can Keep Your Immune System Young.”
Time, Time, 9 Mar. 2018, time.com/5193032/cycling-old-age-immune-system/.
Woods, Jeffrey A., et al. “Exercise, Inflammation and Aging.” Aging and Disease, JKL
International LLC, Feb. 2012.
Xia, Shijin, et al. “An Update on Inflamm-Aging: Mechanisms, Prevention, and
Treatment.” Journal of Immunology Research, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2016.