The thing that's causing your achy joints and swollen feet on the outside, is also wreaking havoc on your insides. Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine have singled out inflammation [1] as the common factor in a number of age-related diseases including Alzheimer's, gout, arthritis and diabetes.


"This is the first study[2] to show that inflammation is causally linked to functional decline in aging," researcher Vishwa Deep Dixit said in a release. "There are multiple triggers of inflammation... but we've pinpointed Nlrp3 as the specific sensor that activates inflammation with age."


As we get older, our immune system starts producing small levels of inflammation in the body. But Nlrp3 does more than just cause painful swelling and tenderness -- it's downright bad for your body, even when it's not causing an outright disease. It lowers bone density, reduces cognitive function, and creates insulin-resistance.


Researchers studied the aging process of healthy mice and found that -- even in mice -- Nlrp3 was activated with age. They reduced levels of the sensor in the mice and the outcome was reduced inflammation and protection from age-related disease. The mice also were stronger and had more endurance than the animals who had regular, age-activated levels of Nlrp3.


Just last month, European researchers found a similar inflammation marker, interleukin-6[3] , was linked to poor aging and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, The Huffington Post reported.


As the post-50 population grows, doctors are seeing a jump in the incidence of age-related diseases, but researchers say we've been going about treating the individual diseases all wrong. Now that inflammation has been identified as the universal cause, we can be much more effective by tackling just that.


Dixit says we need to see if it's possible to "switch off" Nlrp3 to slow the onset of age-related disease. "This could lead to the possibility of prolonging healthspan, potentially leading to an old age relatively free of disease or disability," Dixit said.


More studies need to be conducted to determine if the sensor can be manipulated without any adverse effects. The current crop of anti-inflamatory drugs have failed to expand the healthspan.


But there are still ways to help reduce inflammation[4] on a daily basis through your diet. Sip on green tea, eat some antioxidant-rich berries, and make sure to get plenty of Omega-3s in your everyday diet.



Earlier on HuffPost50:




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  • Before Your Appointment


    Gathering your health information and getting organized before your appointment are the key steps to ensuring a productive meeting with your doctor. This is especially important if you're seeing multiple doctors or are meeting with a new physician for the first time.




  • Get Your Test Results


    Make sure the doctor you're seeing has copies of your latest X-ray, MRI or any other test or lab results, including reports from other doctors that you've seen. In most cases, you'll need to do the legwork yourself, which may only require a phone call to your previous doctor's administrative staff, asking for it to be sent, or you may need to go pick it up and bring it to the new office yourself.




  • List Your Medications


    Make a list of all the medications you're taking (prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements) along with the dosages, and take it with you to your appointment. Or, just gather up all your pill bottles in a bag and bring them with you.




  • Gather Your Health History


    Your doctor also needs to know about any previous hospitalizations, as well as any current or past medical problems, even if they are not the reason you are going to the doctor this time. Genetics matter too, so having your family's health history can be helpful. The U.S. Surgeon General offers a free web-based tool called <a href="http://familyhistory.hhs.gov" target="_hplink">"My Family Health Portrait"</a> that can help you put one together.




  • Prepare A List Of Questions


    Make a written list of the top three or four issues you want to discuss with your doctor. Since most appointments last between 10 and 15 minutes, this can help you stay on track and ensure you address your most pressing concerns first. If you're in for a diagnostic visit, you should prepare a detailed description of your symptoms.




  • During Your Appointment


    The best advice when you meet with your doctor is to speak up. Don't wait to be asked. Be direct, honest and as specific as possible when recounting your symptoms or expressing your concerns. Many patients are reluctant or embarrassed to talk about their symptoms, which makes the doctor's job a lot harder to do. It's also a good idea to bring along a family member or friend to your appointment. They can help you ask questions, listen to what the doctor is telling you and give you support.