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About 29% of U.S. adults have undiagnosed chronic inflammation (another 125 million live with some form of chronic inflammatory disease). That's a lot of hot spots, not to mention cases of autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, dementia, and certain cancers. That's why it is so important to recognize the (often subtle) signs of chronic inflammation and take steps to tamp it down pronto.

The Cleveland Clinic says that if you're contending with weight gain (that makes highly specific and non-specific CRP inflammation markers go up), frequent infections (chronic inflammation weakens the immune system), chronic fatigue and insomnia (sleeplessness is associated with inflammation factors), depression and/or anxiety (antidepressants can tamp down inflammation), body pain (localized or general) and constipation, diarrhea and acid reflux, which are associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, you need to have your doctor do a blood test for inflammation markers, examine you, and help you banish any inflammatory diseases you may have.

You can help tamp down the inflammation yourself if you lose weight, eliminate unhealthy fats and processed foods, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, enjoy fatty fish multiple times weekly, drink black coffee and/or black and green teas (they reduce CRP), and get plenty of exercise (it clears inflammatory substances from the body).

For more information on how to tamp down inflammation and improve management of chronic inflammation-related conditions, read "The Great Age Reboot" and the free newsletter at 4YOUngevity.com. And for amazing recipes that fire up flavor while they cool inflammation, there's my "What to Eat When Cookbook."

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.

(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.