My Performance Edge: Week 13. Inflammaging, Chronic Inflammation Ages Us Faster – Kevin Kearns

by Kevin Kearns, contributing writer

Let’s start with a confession. When I was in my twenties, recovery meant eating a pizza at midnight, getting four hours of sleep, training the next morning, and somehow surviving.

Today…

I sleep funny and need a mobility warm-up before getting out of bed. If you’re over 40, you’re probably smiling because you’ve had that same conversation with your knees.

But here’s the interesting part… Getting older isn’t the only reason we feel older. One of the biggest contributors to aging may be something scientists call “inflammaging.” No…it isn’t a typo. It isn’t a new Marvel villain either.

Inflammaging is the combination of two words:

Inflammation + Aging

And it may be one of the biggest reasons our bodies slowly lose resilience over time.

Inflammation Isn’t the Enemy

Most people think inflammation is bad. It isn’t. Inflammation is one of the smartest things your body does.

Cut your finger? Inflammation shows up.

Lift heavy weights? Inflammation shows up.

Catch a virus? Inflammation shows up.

Twist your ankle? Inflammation shows up.

Without inflammation…

Nothing heals.

The problem isn’t inflammation.

The problem is when inflammation refuses to leave.

When the Fire Never Goes Out

Imagine your smoke detector going off because you burned toast. Annoying? Absolutely. But at least it worked.

Now imagine that smoke detector continues screaming… For five years. That’s chronic inflammation.

Instead of helping the body recover, the inflammatory response stays switched on. Quietly. Relentlessly.

Researchers continue to investigate chronic inflammation’s role in cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, osteoarthritis, cognitive decline, sarcopenia, metabolic dysfunction, and many other conditions associated with aging.

It isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s simply…

“I’m tired.”

“My joints ache.”

“My recovery takes forever.”

“My brain feels foggy.”

“My energy isn’t what it used to be.”

 

What Fuels Chronic Inflammation?

The answer surprises many people. It’s rarely just one thing.

It can be influenced by:

• Poor sleep
• Excess body fat
• Highly processed foods
• Chronic psychological stress
• Smoking
• Excess alcohol
• Physical inactivity
• Poor metabolic health
• Environmental exposures
• Repeated injuries

Over time, these factors can create an internal environment where inflammation remains elevated instead of resolving normally.

Your Fat Cells Are Talking

Here’s something fascinating. Body fat isn’t simply stored energy. It’s biologically active tissue. Fat cells produce signaling molecules that communicate with the immune system.

As body fat increases—particularly visceral fat surrounding the abdominal organs—that communication can shift toward a more inflammatory state.

That’s one reason improving body composition often improves much more than appearance. It improves biology.

Exercise Is Anti-Inflammatory Medicine

People often ask me…

“Kevin, what’s the best anti-inflammatory supplement?”

My answer usually disappoints them.

Go for a walk.

Lift weights.

Sleep.

Drink more water.

Manage your stress.

Move your body.

There isn’t a peptide on Earth that consistently outperforms healthy habits practiced every day. Exercise helps regulate inflammation naturally while improving insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial function, circulation, muscle health, and immune regulation. Movement changes chemistry.

Where Regenerative Medicine Fits

This is where regenerative medicine becomes exciting. Researchers continue to investigate biologically based therapies that may help support healthy inflammatory regulation and tissue repair.

Peptides being studied for these purposes include:

• BPC-157
• KPV
• Thymosin Beta-4
• LL-37

Each has unique biological characteristics, and research is ongoing to better understand how they may support recovery and normal healing processes. These therapies are not replacements for healthy living. They are tools that may complement a well-built foundation.

The Goal Isn’t Zero Inflammation

This may be the biggest takeaway. We don’t want to eliminate inflammation. We want to regulate it. Healthy inflammation protects us. Chronic inflammation slowly wears us down.

That’s an important distinction.

Final Thoughts

One of my favorite sayings is:

“You’re either investing in your health…or you’re paying interest later.”

Every healthy meal. Every workout. Every night of quality sleep. Every walk. Every stress-management strategy. Every decision you make is either turning the inflammatory dial up… Or turning it down.

Aging is inevitable. Inflammaging may not be.

That’s why the goal isn’t simply living longer. It’s staying stronger, sharper, healthier, and more resilient for every year we’re fortunate enough to have.

Because health isn’t built in one day.It’s built one decision at a time.

This is My Performance Edge.

Kevin Kearns
Regional Partner – North Americas, RBT Science
CEO, BWK Authentic Edge

Key Takeaways

• Acute inflammation is essential for healing; chronic inflammation may contribute to age-related decline.
• Lifestyle factors—including exercise, sleep, nutrition, and stress management—have a profound influence on inflammatory biology.
• Visceral body fat is metabolically active and can promote inflammatory signaling.
• Peptides such as BPC-157, KPV, Thymosin Beta-4, and LL-37 are being studied for their potential roles in supporting tissue repair and healthy inflammatory regulation.
• The goal isn’t to eliminate inflammation—it’s to help the body regulate it appropriately.

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