Systemic inflammation is a body-wide immune response that persists beyond its intended purpose. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that unlike acute inflammation, which is short-term and localized, systemic inflammation involves ongoing activation of immune pathways throughout the entire body. Over time, this can affect multiple organs and contribute to disease development.
Marla Ahlgrimm notes that inflammation is a protective mechanism. When the body detects harmful bacteria, injury, or toxins, the immune system releases signaling molecules called cytokines. These trigger increased blood flow and recruit immune cells to the affected area. The goal is tissue repair and recovery. In healthy cases, inflammation resolves once healing is complete. However, in systemic inflammation, that “off switch” becomes impaired.
Systemic inflammation occurs when inflammatory signals remain elevated in the bloodstream. This creates a low-grade but persistent immune response that can gradually damage healthy tissue. Instead of serving as a targeted defense, the immune system becomes overactivated. This can disrupt normal metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurological function.
What Causes Systemic Inflammation
According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there is no single cause of chronic inflammation. It typically develops from multiple overlapping factors, including autoimmune disorders, excess body fat, a diet high in ultra-processed foods, chronic psychological stress, smoking, alcohol use, untreated medical conditions, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Signs And Symptoms
Systemic inflammation often presents with subtle symptoms that are easy to overlook. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that common signs include persistent fatigue, muscle or joint discomfort, brain fog, bloating, irregular bowel movements, and frequent minor illnesses. Many people also experience generalized body aches that they may attribute to overwork or aging.
A chronically inflamed body does not always produce dramatic symptoms, especially in the early stages. Instead, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that individuals may notice a slow progression of symptoms. Even routine lab tests may not detect chronic inflammation unless specific inflammatory markers are measured.
Health Risks
Marla Ahlgrimm states that ongoing inflammation can contribute to structural and functional changes in tissues and organs. Chronic systemic inflammation may increase the risk of or worsen several major diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and certain cancers. It also plays a key role in many autoimmune conditions, where the immune system mistakenly targets healthy tissue.
What You Can Do
Marla Ahlgrimm emphasizes that chronic inflammation can often be addressed through a proactive approach. She recommends first speaking with a healthcare provider to evaluate any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing.
She also highlights lifestyle changes that can help reduce inflammation, including eating a diet rich in whole foods and healthy fats, engaging in regular physical activity, managing weight to reduce visceral fat, and maintaining consistent, high-quality sleep.
Ultimately, systemic inflammation is not a disease itself but a chronic state that increases the risk of many other conditions. It reflects a sustained imbalance in immune activity that can quietly but significantly affect nearly every system in the body. Marla Ahlgrimm encourages women concerned about chronic inflammation to discuss their symptoms and risk factors with their healthcare team.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,