In a recent interview, actor Vidya Balan opened up about her long-standing struggle with weight gain despite maintaining a regular exercise routine and a balanced diet. She revealed that underlying inflammation in her body contributed to her weight challenges. By prioritizing a diet aimed at reducing inflammation and reducing excessive training, she was able to lose weight very quickly.

While inflammation can be caused by weight gain, it usually happens when your body doesn’t have enough time to recover from intense exercise.

WHAT IS INFLAMMATION AND HOW IS IT RELATED TO WEIGHT GAIN?

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection. It helps protect and heal tissues but it can become chronic if prolongedleading to diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

Factors such as obesity and a poor diet can exacerbate inflammation. Research has shown that inflammation caused by excess body fat can contribute to a number of health problems.

While both obesity and inflammation are distinct processes in the body, they are deeply interconnected, according to Dr Naval Mendiratta, senior consultant, rheumatology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram, who explained how it influences obesity and inflammation each other and affect overall health.

“Obesity is a major cause of internal inflammation due to excess white fat cells in the body. These cells release cytokines, chemicals that are usually part of the immune response, but in cases of obesity, they are produced abnormally,” Dr Mendiratta. said IndiaToday.in.

This abnormal production leads to chronic, low-level inflammation that can affect multiple organs.

While some people can lead excess fat without significant inflammationthose with a higher body mass index (BMI), especially over 24.5, are more likely to have elevated markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein (CRP).

“These inflammatory molecules can lead to health problems such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and even impact vital organs such as the pancreas, heart and kidneys,” noted Dr. Mendiratta.

Statistics show that obese people are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes and face a 50% higher risk of heart disease compared to those at a healthy weight.

This complex relationship also involves the gut. A newer concept, metabolic endotoxemia, suggests that obesity alters the gut microbiota, which in turn promotes inflammation, fueling additional fat storage in a cycle that may perpetuate obesity.

CAN EXERCISE CAUSE INFLAMMATION?

Excessive exercise can indeed be linked to inflammation, especially in cases of overtraining or when the body does not have enough time to recover. This leads to a hindrance in weight loss.

Stress response: Intense and prolonged exercise can activate the body’s stress response, leading to an increase in inflammatory markers. This is a normal physiological reaction, but when exercise is excessive or performed without adequate recovery, it can lead to chronic inflammation.

Muscle injuries: High-intensity workouts can cause muscle microtrauma, leading to pain and inflammation as the body works to repair damaged tissues. Although this is part of the normal healing process, excessive damage can prolong inflammation and hinder recovery.

Impact on the immune system: While moderate exercise can strengthen the immune system, excessive exercise can actually suppress immune function. This can lead to a higher risk of infections and, consequently, increased inflammation.

Hormonal imbalance: Overtraining can disrupt the balance of hormones such as cortisol, which can lead to an inflammatory response in the body. Elevated cortisol levels over time can contribute to chronic inflammation.

Fatigue and Recovery: Insufficient rest and recovery can prevent the body from healing properly after intense workouts, leading to prolonged inflammatory responses and potential injury.

To ensure a healthy body weight, striking a balance between exercise and diet can help reduce inflammation.