Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury. Commonly, a mosquito bite or a swollen ankle comes to mind but inflammation can occur at low levels throughout the whole body.

In the past decade, substantial research has shown that chronic low-grade inflammation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. The potential role of exercise as a regulator of the inflammatory process provides insight into the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Click on the links to the left to learn more about low-grade inflammation.

Adapted from Barzilay & Freeland, 2003 [32]