Metaflammation

What it is

Metaflammation describes the specific form of chronic inflammation generated by metabolic tissues under overload. Adipose tissue macrophages shift from an M2 (anti-inflammatory) to an M1 (pro-inflammatory) phenotype in obesity; hepatic Kupffer cells and enteric immune populations follow suit.

Why it matters for longevity

• Direct driver of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
• Feeds into cardiovascular risk via oxidised LDL uptake and vascular inflammation.
• Distinct pathway from senescence-driven inflammaging, though the two overlap.
• Explains why visceral adiposity is a stronger longevity predictor than BMI alone.

Interventions

Weight loss (especially visceral fat reduction), GLP-1 agonists, Mediterranean diet, exercise. Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. canakinumab in CANTOS) target downstream cytokines but are not routine longevity tools.

Related entries

Chronic inflammation, Inflammaging, Metabolic syndrome.