A clinical pharmacist has outlined several everyday habits that may help people manage chronic, long-term inflammation in the body, according to a recent interview reported by Fox News Digital. The comments matter for anyone living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or other conditions linked to inflammation, since lifestyle factors are often raised alongside, but not instead of, medical treatment.
Background
Inflammation is part of the body’s normal response to injury or infection and usually settles down once the threat has passed. When inflammation continues over a longer period, it is sometimes described as chronic inflammation. According to the US National Institutes of Health, chronic inflammation has been associated with a range of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, IBD and cardiovascular disease.
Jim LaValle, a clinical pharmacist based in Texas, told Fox News Digital that several everyday factors beyond injury or infection may influence how much inflammation is present in the body. He pointed in particular to the relationship between gut bacteria, the immune system and the brain, sometimes referred to as the gut-immune-brain connection, as one pathway that may affect inflammation.
What the expert reported
Managing stress
LaValle said that managing stress may support this gut-immune-brain relationship. He explained that cortisol, a hormone released during stress, can disrupt normal body chemistry when levels stay high for long periods. He also noted that ongoing stress may affect the gut lining, sometimes described as “leaky gut”, and that this could make some people more prone to digestive symptoms.
Watching food triggers
Diets high in sugar, fat and heavily processed foods may also affect gut health, LaValle said. He suggested that noticing which foods seem to trigger symptoms such as bloating, skin reactions or discomfort could help identify a possible food sensitivity, although he noted these symptoms can have other causes too. He also mentioned that some medicines, including antibiotics, can alter gut bacteria, with effects varying between individuals.
Keeping blood sugar steady
According to LaValle, maintaining stable blood sugar levels is another relevant factor, since conditions such as diabetes and insulin resistance are often associated with higher levels of inflammation. He referenced early research suggesting that GLP-1 medicines, commonly used for type 2 diabetes and weight management, may have effects on inflammation beyond blood sugar control, though this area is still being studied.
Considering environmental exposures
LaValle also pointed to what researchers call the “exposome”, meaning the environmental exposures a person encounters over their lifetime. He said emerging research is looking at how substances such as certain chemicals, microplastics, metals and pesticides may affect weight, blood sugar regulation and inflammation, though he said this impact is not something many people consider.
Avoiding overtraining
Finally, LaValle cautioned that intense exercise without adequate recovery time can place extra strain on the body. He said training hard every day without sufficient rest may contribute to ongoing, low-level inflammation, even when exercise itself is generally beneficial for health.
Why this matters
For people living with IBD, it is worth remembering that inflammation measured in the gut and symptoms a person feels are not always the same thing. These general lifestyle comments are not specific to IBD and should not be read as treatment advice. Anyone with persistent symptoms or concerns about inflammation is encouraged to speak with a doctor to understand the underlying cause.
What to keep in mind
- These comments reflect one expert’s clinical opinion rather than a single piece of new published research.
- Lifestyle factors discussed, including stress, diet, blood sugar, environmental exposures and exercise recovery, may influence inflammation, but the strength of evidence varies between factors.
- None of this information should be used to change medication, diet or treatment for IBD or any other condition without medical advice.
- Further research is needed to clarify how strongly these factors affect inflammation in people with diagnosed inflammatory conditions.
Reference
Stabile A. Health expert shares simple ways to help lower inflammation throughout the body. Fox News Digital. (Interview with Jim LaValle, clinical pharmacist and metabolic medicine expert.) No underlying peer-reviewed publication was identified in the source material; the comments reported are attributed solely to the named expert interview.
This article is a journalistic summary for informational purposes only. It does not constitute clinical advice or a recommendation to alter treatment decisions.