Introduction
As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to inflammation. After age 50, subtle signs of inflammation can start to appear, and if left unchecked, can lead to more serious health issues. Eating the right foods can help reduce inflammation and keep your body healthy. In this article, we’ll discuss the subtle signs of inflammation after age 50 and provide tips on what to eat and what to avoid to reduce inflammation.
Subtle Signs of Inflammation After Age 50 — Eat This Not That
As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to inflammation. After age 50, inflammation can become a serious health concern, leading to a variety of chronic diseases. While some signs of inflammation are obvious, such as joint pain and swelling, there are also more subtle signs that can be easy to overlook. Here are some of the subtle signs of inflammation after age 50 and what you can do to reduce it.
1. Unexplained Weight Gain
Unexplained weight gain can be a sign of inflammation. When your body is inflamed, it can cause your metabolism to slow down, leading to weight gain. If you’re experiencing unexplained weight gain, it’s important to talk to your doctor to determine the cause.
2. Fatigue
Fatigue is another common sign of inflammation. When your body is inflamed, it can cause your energy levels to drop, leading to fatigue. If you’re feeling unusually tired, it’s important to talk to your doctor to determine the cause.
3. Digestive Issues
Digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, and constipation, can also be a sign of inflammation. When your body is inflamed, it can cause your digestive system to become sluggish, leading to digestive issues. If you’re experiencing digestive issues, it’s important to talk to your doctor to determine the cause.
4. Skin Issues
Skin issues, such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis, can also be a sign of inflammation. When your body is inflamed, it can cause your skin to become irritated and inflamed, leading to skin issues. If you’re experiencing skin issues, it’s important to talk to your doctor to determine the cause.
What You Can Do to Reduce Inflammation
The best way to reduce inflammation is to make lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can all help reduce inflammation. Additionally, avoiding processed foods, sugar, and alcohol can also help reduce inflammation. If you’re experiencing any of the signs of inflammation, it’s important to talk to your doctor to determine the best course of action.
Inflammation is both a very good thing and a potential hazard to your health. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to an injury, the first step in healing. But when inflammation becomes chronic, it can increase the risk of serious diseases like heart disease, cancer and dementia. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for the signs of inflammation, so you and your doctor can quash it. These are subtle symptoms of inflammation that tend to creep up after age 50, according to the experts. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
“A few subtle signs of inflammation can start to show up after age 50,” says surgeon Dr. Hector Perez. “One common one is when you begin to experience more joint pain than usual. If you start to notice that your joints are stiff, swollen, and sore, it might be a sign that you’re experiencing inflammation.”
“Weight gain is another subtle and common sign of inflammation,” says Perez. “If you’ve been noticing that the numbers on the scale are creeping up, it could be because inflammation is causing your body to hold onto excess weight.”
“Most people look for signs of inflammation in the body like joint pain or skin issues,” says Amy Serin, Ph.D., an Arizona-based neuropsychologist. “But inflammation in the aging brain contributes to age-related declines in functioning after 50 and is a critical factor to consider. This shows up as mental fogginess, difficulties concentrating, poor working memory, inability to learn efficiently, and even sadness and an inability to handle normal levels of stress.”
“Bloating after a meal, sluggish bowels, or extraordinarily loose bowels can be signs of gut inflammation,” says Dr. Greg Mongeon of Vitae Functional Medicine in Burnsville, Minnesota. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to check markers that indicate whether you have chronic inflammation.
Rashes and other skin issues can be a red flag for inflammation. “The most subtle sign of inflammation I see with my clients over 50 is they talk about their skin changing. It could be drier, flakier, or showing signs of redness,” says Fiona Fox, an exercise physiologist in Tennessee.
Constantly congested? You might chalk it up to allergies, but the real culprit could be inflammation. “If you find yourself frequently needing to clear your throat or always having a stuffed up nose, this could be a sign of inflammation,” says Dr. Anthony Puopolo, chief medical officer of Rex MD. “Inflammation in the mucous membranes causes a production of phlegm. The result: Symptoms that mirror an allergy or cold, such as coughing, sneezing and a stuffed up or runny nose. If this is more than a once-in-a-while condition, it may indicate a problem with inflammation.” And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Michael Martin