Inflammation in Your 20s Can Negatively Affect Cognitive Health in Your 40s, According to a New Study

This is calledacute inflammationand it’s a necessary part of the healing process.

Chronic inflammation is also linked with dementia and Alzheimers disease.

How Was This Study Conducted?

an illustration of a brain with red inflammation circles around it

Photo:Getty Images

There were 2,364 participants, about 55% of them female.

Participants were 18 to 30 years old at the beginning of the study.

CRP is an indication of the level of inflammation in the body.

Participants also took several cognitive tests five years after the last CRP blood test.

Processing speed is how quickly the brain can receive, understand and respond to information.

Its important to keep in mind that the cognitive tests were not being given to 80-year-olds.

This study also emphasizes the need for prevention.

And while obesity is a risk factor for inflammation, it is not a behavior.

And while genetics do play a role in inflammation and brain disorders, so do lifestyle behaviors.

If you smoke, seek support to help you quit.

If you drink alcohol, confirm youre sticking to moderate amountsconsuminghigher amounts of alcohol has been linked to inflammation.

University of California San Francisco.Poor health, stress in 20s takes toll in 40s with lower cognition.