Barry Sears - The Role of Resolution of Inflammation in the Aging Process

Barry Sears, Ph.D.
Founder & President, Inflammation Research Foundation, Marblehead, MA
President, Zone Labs, Marblehead, MA

Presentation at the 17th Clinical Applications for Age Management Medicine Conference, November 6th, 2014, Las Vegas, Nevada.

It is becoming accepted that the aging process can be viewed as a consequence of systemic inflammation that drives the development of chronic diseases. There are two distinct parts to the inflammatory response. The first is the initial initiation phase of inflammation and the second is the resolution phase of inflammation. If these two phases of inflammation are balanced, then the body returns to homeostasis. However, if the initiation phase is too exaggerated or the resolution phase is too muted, then the result is low-level chronic inflammation that will accelerate the aging process. Anti-inflammatory nutrition can have a unique role in modulating both phases of the inflammatory process. It can reduce an exaggerated initiation response by modulating the inflammatory gene transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-?B). It can also enhance the resolution process by increasing the production of resolvins derived from omega-3 fatty acids. The dietary factors that enhance NF-?B activity are excess omega-6 fatty acids, excess saturated fats, excess carbohydrates, and excess calorie consumption. The dietary factors that can inhibit NF-?B activity include omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols by their activation of the anti-inflammatory gene transcription factor PPAR-?. How these dietary factors alter inflammatory gene expression and the levels required will be discussed in this lecture as well as the clinical markers that allow the optimization of a structured anti-inflammatory dietary program. Examples of their use in the treatment of neuroinflammation will be described.

What is Age Management Medicine?
Age Management Medicine is a proactive, preventive approach focused on preservation of optimum human function and quality of life, making every effort to modulate the process of aging prior to the onset of degenerative aging. The basic tenets of Age Management Medicine are patient evaluation through extensive medical history, lifestyle assessment, physical examination and laboratory evaluation to establish personalized proactive treatment plans consisting of proper diet, exercise, stress management and appropriate medical interventions.

About AMMG
It is the goal of the Age Management Medicine Group (AMMG) to provide education and information on the specialty of Age Management Medicine to physicians and healthcare professionals through evidence-based, continuing medical education conferences, workshops, seminars, publications and Web media. The Group consists of leading industry healthcare professionals, physicians, practitioners, researchers, medical
associations and providers of products and services.

[blueberry]

I can listen to Dr. Sears for hours.He is great.