Health insurance providers will be looking at chronic inflammation as a condition

Recently researchers found a connection between the major diseases and obesity in our population; it is inflammation. Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, arthritis and a host of other ailments that Americans seem to be suffering from with greater numbers than our European counterparts, are chronic inflammation. Obesity and the ever enlargement of the US populations waistlines seems to be at the center of the condition.

Inflammation is often the body’s first response to adversity. Whether bruising from direct impact, or injury from outside irritants like swollen sinus passages caused by inhaled particles like pollen, are inflammation. Chronic inflammation is when the body can no longer regulate how it is dealing with the irritants and maintains a state of swollenness.

Researchers have been looking at the auto immune response of types of cell called cytokines. Cells, local to injury secrete Cytokines in the immune system. They are a type of message that sets up the chain of events that becomes inflammation. Think of them as the warrant that allows the police to search your house or arrest you. Once you are served, action begins.

Collaboration between Boston University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard found that fat cells produce cytokines. Before this, fat cells were look at as sedate storage units. Now researchers are finding out that they act, or can instigate behaviors in cells surrounding them. Researches discovered that fat cells, especially those abdominal deposits on both the muscle and organs actually instigate an inflammatory response.

While it was common belief that obesity increases your risk of diseases like heart disease and diabetes, the connection was more centered around the fat content of the food you ingest and its effect on the body. Medical studies now show that fat, causes inflammation, which looks like more fat. The new research reinforces the need to make weight management a goal for everyone.

When you begin to shop around for health insurance plans, whether you have the opportunity to enroll in a group health insurance or individual plan your body mass is now a predictor of ailments you may develop. If you are 20 or more pounds overweight or BMI (Body mass index) is 25 to 29, take the time to review your diet, make the necessary adjustments to both your food intake, and exercise regime. If you BMI is over 30, then you are obese and should consider seeking the assistance of your doctor to help get your weight under control.

Health insurance providers will be looking at chronic inflammation as a condition