![H!DDEN & DANGEROUS!](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/232/535853/5f8688776c250/HDDEN-DANGEROUS.jpg)
CANCER, HEART DISEASE, dementia, diabetes: In the lexicon of ageing and disease, these are some worrisome words. But researchers have suspected for years that all of these health issues, and more, have at their heart one common trigger: chronic low-grade inflammation. And now they may finally have proof.
In 2017, researchers in Boston reported on a clinical trial with more than 10,000 patients (mean age: 61) in 39 countries that tested whether an anti-inflammatory drug, canakinumab, could lower rates of heart disease. They discovered that it could, but they also found that it reduced lung cancer mortality more than 67 per cent, and reports of gout and arthritis (conditions linked to inflammation) also fell.
“Inflammation plays a role in everyone’s health,” says Dr Dana DiRenzo, a rheumatologist and instructor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, USA. When inflammation levels increase, so does the risk of disease. But understanding inflammation can be tricky because, when you get a disease, inflammation levels naturally increase as your body fights the condition. Inflammation, in other words, is both good and bad.
When is inflammation a problem?
When you catch the flu and your body temperature rises to fight the virus, that’s a form of acute inflammation. So is the redness and swelling that occur when you sprain your ankle. The process is a temporary, helpful response to an injury or illness. It provides the healing chemicals and nutrients your body needs to repair the damage. Once the danger goes away, so does the inflammation.
Denne historien er fra October 2020-utgaven av Reader's Digest India.
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Denne historien er fra October 2020-utgaven av Reader's Digest India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![READER'S DIGEST-BOOKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/UEQ-OLTrP1723436127352/READERS-DIGESTBOOKS.jpg)
READER'S DIGEST-BOOKS
These book summaries highlight Siddharthya Roy's exploration of conflict and violence, Michael Castleman's deep dive into the history of publishing, and Swadesh Deepak's examination of social issues and masculinity through Hindi literature.
![Man with printed sarong](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/kr2VtNh1S1723435853349/MAN-WITH-PRINTED-SARONG.jpg)
Man with printed sarong
A lawyer, pianist, critic, and mentor to artists, Lionel Wendt is best known for his photographs of Sri Lanka, especially those of people indigenous to the island, captured amidst the lush landscape or posing in his studio.
![Too Much?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/NxksFPLmj1723192376952/crp_TOO-MUCH.jpg)
Too Much?
New studies show that even moderate drinking is a health hazard. Here’s a frank look at the toll alcohol takes on the body
![ME & MY SHELF](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/xTZUEvXXV1723195672136/ME-MY-SHELF.jpg)
ME & MY SHELF
Coimbatore-born Prashanth Srivatsa is a science fiction/fantasy writer whose stories have appeared in magazines such as Asimov’s, Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance. magazines such as Asimov's, Magazine of Fantasy Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance.
![Small Business, Big Heart](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/eDWpSe8tL1723195503513/SMALL-BUSINESS-BIG-HEART.jpg)
Small Business, Big Heart
Caring for people is part of the deal at family-run shops
![Spill the Beans](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/ON2H93NTp1723195350746/SPILL-THE-BEANS.jpg)
Spill the Beans
Everyone has secrets. Here's why you should share yours
![It Happens ONLY IN INDIA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/3KWbimJWh1723195194499/IT-HAPPENS-ONLY-IN-INDIA.jpg)
It Happens ONLY IN INDIA
Angry lovers are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.
![FULL STEAM AHEAD!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/r068gw5UZ1723194971720/FULL-STEAM-AHEAD.jpg)
FULL STEAM AHEAD!
I GOT THE CHANCE TO DRIVE THE WORLD'S LAST SCHEDULED STEAM TRAIN
![Stressed and Worn Down](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/jcH9Rlke01723194769757/STRESSED-AND-WORN-DOWN.jpg)
Stressed and Worn Down
More and more people are clenching and grinding their teeth. Here's what to do about it
![THIS BACON FAKERY MUST STOP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/f0DxhphbV1723194666430/THIS-BACON-FAKERY-MUST-STOP.jpg)
THIS BACON FAKERY MUST STOP
I was recently given bacon-flavoured dental floss for my birthday.