Skip to main content
TREAT YOURSELF—FREE SHIPPING ON ALL POOSH DOMESTIC ORDERS. SHOP NOW.
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
  • LIFE + STYLE
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
  • KKB
Poosh
By Kourtney Kardashian Barker
  • instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
  • Shop
  • search
  • search
  • body
  • diy
  • fitness
  • Giving Back
  • health
  • mind
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Wellness
  • soul
Biohack Your Mood With a Little Movement
Biohack Your Mood With a Little Movement
The New Era of Pads + Liners
The New Era of Pads + Liners
5 Energizing Morning Yoga Poses 
5 Energizing Morning Yoga Poses 
How to Manifest the Relationship You Want
How to Manifest the Relationship You Want
How to Maintain Friendships as an Adult
How to Maintain Friendships as an Adult
3 Yoga Moves to Help Boost Your Immunity
3 Yoga Moves to Help Boost Your Immunity
  • Adulting
  • beauty
  • guides
  • Hacks
  • style
  • travel
All-Natural Secrets For Shiny Hair
All-Natural Secrets For Shiny Hair
Meet Your Summer Curly Hair MVP
Meet Your Summer Curly Hair MVP
The Poosh Mother’s Day Gift Guide
The Poosh Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Why You Should Consider a High Tech Facial
Why You Should Consider a High Tech Facial
Our Camp Poosh 2025 Photo Diary
Our Camp Poosh 2025 Photo Diary
Meet the Campers: Here’s Who’s Staying With Us At Camp Poosh 2025
Meet the Campers: Here’s Who’s Staying With Us At Camp Poosh 2025
  • decor
  • entertaining
  • kids
  • motherhood
  • Playlists
  • recipes
Salmon Sushi Bake
Salmon Sushi Bake
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Caesar Sandwich
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Caesar Sandwich
Pepperoni Hot Honey Pasta Salad
Pepperoni Hot Honey Pasta Salad
Strawberry Matcha Frozen Clusters
Strawberry Matcha Frozen Clusters
Avocado Sweet Potato Toast
Avocado Sweet Potato Toast
Beet Ricotta Cheese Pasta
Beet Ricotta Cheese Pasta
  • family
  • kourtney
Part One: Life Lessons from Kourtney
Part One: Life Lessons from Kourtney
What Kris Jenner Is Reading Right Now
What Kris Jenner Is Reading Right Now
Kourtney’s Birthday Sale Is Here!
Kourtney’s Birthday Sale Is Here!
What Khloé Kardashian Is Reading Right Now
What Khloé Kardashian Is Reading Right Now
Inspired by Kim Kardashian: 3 Total-Body Gym Moves
Inspired by Kim Kardashian: 3 Total-Body Gym Moves
Kris Jenner’s Martini Recipe
Kris Jenner’s Martini Recipe

Menu

  • Shop
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • body
    • diy
    • fitness
    • Giving Back
    • health
    • mind
    • Relationships
    • Sexual Wellness
    • soul
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
    • decor
    • entertaining
    • kids
    • motherhood
    • Playlists
    • recipes
  • KKB
    • family
    • kourtney
  • LIFE + STYLE
    • Adulting
    • beauty
    • guides
    • Hacks
    • style
    • travel
  • About
  • Newsletter
instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
health

What a  DOCTOR WANTS YOU TO KNOW About Inflammaging

By Poosh
share on pinterest share on facebook share on twitter Share on Flipboard share by email
 Photo credit @peraznalove
@peraznalove

Getting older is a wild ride: we get excited for new socks, we feel tired all the time, and we’re increasingly aware of our own mortality. And, fun fact, the constant stress of existing in this timeline is probably making us age even faster. The manifestations of aging may be caused by chronic, low-grade inflammation called inflammaging. Macrene Alexiades, MD, PhD, PLLC, who holds three degrees from Harvard and runs Park Avenue and Hamptons private practice clinics in dermatology and laser surgery, shares the must-knows about inflammaging and how to minimize the damage to our skin and bodies. 

What is inflammaging?

“In simplistic terms, inflammaging is a theory that the manifestations of aging in the human body are due to chronic inflammation and over-stimulation of the immune system in the course of one’s lifetime,” says Dr. Macrene. Basically, the theory is that chronic inflammation is behind many—if not all—aspects of aging.  

“Factors that contribute to chronic inflammation include ‘antigen load,’ namely the overexposure to external substances and microbes over the course of one’s lifetime,” Dr. Macrene explains. “This causes overstimulation of the immune system, the accumulation of activated immune system cells, and the overproduction of immune system factors that cause degeneration to various tissues in the body.” In simpler terms, an overstimulated immune system causes inflammation, which then causes damage to our bodies at a foundational level. Dr. Macrene adds that obesity and issues with the gut microbiome may also contribute to inflammation.  

What are common signs of inflammaging?

“From a scientific and medical perspective, there are markers of inflammation that can be detected in the bloodstream,” says Dr. Macrene. “The proponents of this theory report that these markers are associated with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, sarcopenia (wasting away), osteoporosis, functional disability (a vague term for loss of functionality), and high mortality risk (increased risk of death).” 

Inflammaging also contributes to faster aging of our skin. It collagen loss and wrinkles, and weakens our skin barrier, which can result in things like dryness, redness, acne, and darker under-eye circles. 

How can we slow down inflammaging?

Focus on the basics
Dr. Macrene’s primary recommendation is to reduce stress, which, as we all know, can be easier said than done—but it’s not impossible. Rest, eating a healthy diet full of antioxidants and herbs, and avoiding excessive exposure to toxins (like cigarette smoke, alcohol, and pollution) can also help. 

Look for skincare products with active antioxidants and barrier repair
“To prevent and slow down inflammaging specifically on the skin, use products formulated with active antioxidants, barrier repair, anti-inflammatory plant polyphenols, and DNA repair—all of which are among the over 110 actives in Macrene Actives cream and serum,” says Dr. Macrene. Resveratrol, omega fatty acids, plankton and algae, and organic extracts of yerba mate tea and feverfew are among those actives. 

Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil $68

Kora Organics

Noni Glow Face Oil $29
Shop Now Shop Now Arrow Icon
Living Libations Best Skin Ever Seabuckthorn $40

Living Libations

Best Skin Ever $40
Shop Now Shop Now Arrow Icon

Pop some supplements
“Anti-inflammatory supplements such as turmeric, omegas, ashwagandha, and resveratrol may be helpful,” says Dr. Macrene. 

Golde Original Turmeric Superfood Latte Blend $29

Golde

Original Turmeric Superfood Latte Blend $29
Shop Now Shop Now Arrow Icon

Get outdoors
Dr. Macrene emphasizes the importance of getting outside for our health. And it doesn’t have to be some big, elaborate event. “Interestingly, a randomized controlled study recently demonstrated that activities such as gardening were effective in reducing inflammatory markers in the bloodstream of the patients,” she elaborates. 

For those of us who live in a high UV environment, she recommends spending time outside in the late afternoon and wearing sun-protective clothing to help reduce free radical attack. And it should go without saying, but we’ll say it—everyone should be wearing sunscreen. 

Daybird 4-in-1 Serum Skin Tint $40

Daybird

4-in-1 Serum Skin Tint $40
Shop Now Shop Now Arrow Icon

TL;DR lifestyle changes can minimize the damage of inflammaging

“This theory of inflammaging is another way of explaining why people in Blue Zones, such as my Greek island, live long—we combine the lifestyle factors that are being proven to reduce inflammaging and promote health,” says Dr. Macrene. “The old adage from wise cultures is that we should minimize stress, and the old-fashioned ways of getting natural exercise by working in the garden and walking in the mountains are the best ways to prevent inflammaging. Get closer to nature and you reduce stress, get lots of antioxidants in your bloodstream, stay fit, and keep healthy.”

Shop our anti-aging collection:

Shop Niacinamide 5% + Peptides for Anti-Aging
Shop The Anti-Aging Duo
Shop Anti-Aging Bundle
Shop LVLC Serum
Shop Ritual Set
Shop Moon Dip Back To Youth Ageless Body Mousse
Shop Stainless Steel Gua Sha
Shop Uplifting Gua Sha Heart
Shop Cryo Glow Globes
Shop Face Cupping Kit
Shop Stainless Steel Facial Roller

The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the interviewee only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.

Up next, be the first to know our weekly content and sign up for our Poosh newsletter.

Related Articles

Goes to article The New Era of Pads + Liners
health

The New Era of Pads + Liners

Goes to article 3 Yoga Moves to Help Boost Your Immunity
fitness

3 Yoga Moves to Help Boost Your Immunity

Goes to article DYK: Morning Sunlight Is Naturally Healing Infrared 
health

DYK: Morning Sunlight Is Naturally Healing Infrared 

Goes to article How to Have More Energy Without Caffeine
health

How to Have More Energy Without Caffeine

Goes to article All-Natural Cures for a Hangover
health

All-Natural Cures for a Hangover

Goes to article Why Magnesium Deserves a Spot in Your Daily Routine
health

Why Magnesium Deserves a Spot in Your Daily Routine

Goes to article 7 Tips To Help You Sneak More Protein Into Your Diet
health

7 Tips To Help You Sneak More Protein Into Your Diet

Goes to article 4 Amazing Benefits of Matcha
health

4 Amazing Benefits of Matcha

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Keep in Touch

instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
Reviewed by Allyant for Accessibility
  • © poosh, llc
    All Rights Reserved