Inflammation & Exercise
topic
The anti-inflammatory effect of regular exercise operates through multiple pathways — muscle-secreted IL-6 promoting production of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-1ra (the myokine anti-inflammatory cascade), reduction of visceral adipose tissue (the primary organ secreting pro-inflammatory adipokines TNF-alpha and leptin), improved insulin sensitivity reducing the inflammatory NF-κB activation of hyperinsulinemia, and the hormetic conditioning of the immune system to respond proportionately rather than excessively to inflammatory stimuli.
Role
Chronic systemic inflammation — the shared pathological mechanism underlying cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's, and autoimmune conditions — is directly and substantially modifiable through regular exercise. Most people managing inflammation through anti-inflammatory diets, omega-3 supplements, and NSAIDs are addressing downstream symptoms of a pro-inflammatory physiology whose upstream drivers include physical inactivity and visceral adiposity — both addressed by exercise. The person who begins a regular moderate aerobic exercise program while maintaining their anti-inflammatory dietary practices is addressing inflammation at its source rather than merely managing its biomarkers.