March 11, 2026
Doctors increasingly recognize the role that inflammation plays in many diseases of aging, including heart disease and diabetes. Now a new study adds to growing evidence that the simmering irritation of chronic inflammation is a major contributor to Alzheimer’s disease as well.
The study, from researchers at Baycrest medical center in Toronto, found that two-thirds of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or other serious memory problems suffer from high levels of inflammation, compared to only about one third of their peers with normal cognition. The findings highlight the importance of body-wide inflammation in the cognitive changes of aging.
“This study provides new evidence that systemic inflammation, shaped by lifestyle and overall health, may be a key mechanism connecting physical health to long-term brain function,” said Dr. Bruna Seixas-Lima, the study’s lead author and a Scientific Associate at Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute.
Sometimes referred to as “inflammaging,” persistent body-wide inflammation typically increases with age. Chronic inflammation isn’t something you necessarily see or feel. It is a kind of low-grade irritant that can slowly and silently damage organs throughout the body, including the brain. While it remains unclear whether directly treating inflammation can prevent dementia, growing evidence suggests that factors that fight inflammation, including a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise, may help to minimize some of its deleterious effects.
For the study, researchers looked at 514 adults aged 50 and older who were part of the Comprehensive Assessment of Neurodegeneration and Dementia, or COMPASS-ND, Study, a long-running examination of the effects of aging on health in Canada. Some of those in the study were cognitively healthy, while others had Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment, marked by memory problems that may progress to full-blown dementia.
The researchers measured markers of inflammation in the blood. They also considered a range of factors tied to inflammation, including medical conditions such as heart disease and lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, smoking and body weight. Obesity was the strongest lifestyle-related contributor to inflammation, exceeding the influence of diet and sleep quality, the researchers found. Among individuals with dementia, those with heart or blood vessel disease, as determined by MRI scans, showed higher levels of inflammation.
The findings, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, may shed light on new therapeutic approaches to prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, though important questions remain. The research team is conducting follow-up studies to further explore the relationship between inflammation and cognitive decline.
It’s also important to note that chronic inflammation isn’t just an old person’s disease. People in their 20s and 30s can also have high levels of persistent, low-grade inflammation, setting the stage for deficits in memory and thinking skills in middle age and an increased risk of dementia later in life.
The good news is that there are steps you can take at any age to minimize, and possibly even reverse, the progression of chronic inflammation. All these measures have been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease as well.
Keep your weight in check. Obesity was closely linked with chronic inflammation in this study. Aim to maintain a healthy body weight through a regular diet and exercise plan. Newer drugs are available that may help people reach their goals.
Eat a heart-healthy diet. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy fats like olive oil, fish and whole grains, contains nutrients that fight inflammation. Coffee and tea may also have anti-inflammatory effects. Ultra-processed foods high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars, on the other hand, tend to promote inflammation.
Get regular exercise. Both aerobic exercise and weight training can lower levels of inflammatory compounds over the long term.
See your dentist. Regular dental cleanings help to control periodontal disease, which can be a source of chronic inflammation. Periodontal disease has long been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, and has been tied to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s as well. “
Minimize stress. Chronic stress also contributes to inflammation. Meditation, yoga, tai chi and other practices can help to lower stress levels and bring down levels of inflammatory proteins.
Prioritize sound sleep. People who are sleep deprived or have irregular sleep schedules are more likely to have higher levels of inflammation. Scientists believe that sleep has cleansing properties that rid the brain of toxic proteins, including those that build up in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
By ALZinfo.org, The Alzheimer’s Information Site. Reviewed by Eric Schmidt, Ph.D., Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at The Rockefeller University.
Source: Bruna Seixas-Lima, Pdros Rosa-Neto, Howard Chertkow, et al: “Peripheral inflammation in a Canadian cohort of neurodegenerative conditions: Occurrence, determinants, and impact.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, January, 2026.
