What do long COVID,Alzheimer’s,rheumatoid arthritis,type one diabetes,asthma and heart disease all have in common? The answer:inflammation.
“Inflammation is generally a force for good,but ultimately it should switch off when it’s not needed anymore. It’s not good when it’s uncontrolled,” says microbiologist Elizabeth Hartland,CEO of the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne. “Collectively,we reckon that diseases related to chronic inflammation account for about 50 per cent of deaths worldwide.”
Hartland was speaking on the latest episode ofGood Weekend Talks,a weekly podcast offering readers a deep dive into the definitive stories of the day,moderated byGood Weekend editor Katrina Strickland. Our episode this week is based on our cover story - THE ENEMY WITHIN - byGood Weekend deputy editor Greg Callaghan,who has dealt with the ill effects of inflammation in his own life.
“We all need inflammation - it’s part of the healing process in the human body,” says Callaghan. “But when it does go rogue,it can be potentially very,very serious.”
The story looks at the medical minds trying to untangle this mystery,including Hartland,who warns of the increasing wear and tear inflammation can have on our tissues and organs. “Scientists are now talking about an ‘inflammation clock’,” Hartland says. “People who have less inflammation are predicted to live longer,and people with chronic inflammation age faster.”
Good Weekend Talks offers readers the chance to delve even deeper each week into Good Weekend’s most intriguing stories,with lively insight from writers,editors and experts. Listen to more episodes by subscribing to Good Weekend Talks wherever you get your podcasts.
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