The world is getting older, and with that comes a heightened interest in healthy ageing. According to the World Health Organization, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years old will nearly double from 12% to 22% between 2015 and 2050¹. As a result, academia has shown increased interest in conducting research into how we can explain the negative health effects associated with ageing, and consequently stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. One of the findings which has emerged is that the degree of inflammation present throughout the body is one of the most important components of healthy ageing. Academics have coined this phenomenon inflammaging.

Inflammaging refers to the chronic low-grade inflammation that we all develop as we age. Although everyone will be affected by inflammaging to some degree, the degree of inflammation has been shown to vary substantially. Furthermore, this chronic inflammation has been identified as a key risk factor for a whole host of diseases. While the exact mechanisms behind chronic inflammation are complex and not yet fully understood, the extent to which we experience inflammaging is known to be influenced by a combination of genetic factors, lifestyle choices, environmental exposures, and crucially, our diet².

Diets are known to worsen as we age. Nutrition deficiencies are commonly observed in the elderly population due to a mix of physical, sensory, mental, and social impairments³. As a result, much of the elderly population turns to supplements. This is evidenced by the over 60s age bracket recording the highest usage rate of supplements across countries. 74% of US consumers over the age of 60 report taking at least one supplement daily and 54% reported taking multiple supplements⁴.

At the same time, awareness of inflammaging and chronic inflammation is spreading from academia into the mainstream, as mentions of inflammaging are beginning to crop up throughout social media (Figure 1). Not only will this make the younger generation more aware of inflammaging, but it ties in with the broader wellness and self-care trends evident amongst gen-Z and millennial consumers. The younger generations are becoming more proactive than ever in taking charge of their health and well-being, such as by seeking out products that offer preventive benefits beyond merely addressing symptoms.

This combination of an older generation who are used to taking supplements with a proactive, health-conscious, younger generation, makes for a very positive growth outlook  for the inflammation segment of the OTC inflammation market. Supplements indicated for inflammation is a segment which has traditionally been dominated by products containing primarily turmeric extract. However, this consumer demographic shift due to an increased awareness of inflammaging, coupled with a growing body of literature on the benefits of other active ingredients, presents an opportunity for new products to shape the future of the market.

Inflammation is more significant than we thought

Inflammation is a natural process that our bodies undergo in response to injury or infection. It plays a vital role in our immune system's defence mechanism, helping to eliminate harmful pathogens and initiate the healing process.

During inflammation, injured or infected cells release signalling molecules, such as cytokines, which attract immune cells to the affected site. Immune cells then carry out various functions, including engulfing and destroying damaged cells and pathogens, releasing enzymes and reactive oxygen species, and promoting tissue repair. This process can lead to characteristic signs of inflammation, such as swelling, redness, heat, and pain⁵.

Once the immune cells have completed their task and eliminated the threat, the body signals to stop inflammation. This is a crucial step to prevent the depletion of our body's resources. The body's ability to effectively start and stop inflammation after accomplishing its purpose is what is referred to as acute inflammation. Acute inflammation is defined as a short-term, localised immune response that occurs in direct response to injury or infection. It is a beneficial process for our overall health and helps restore normal tissue function.

Chronic inflammation is a different story. It is an ongoing, long-term inflammatory response that persists even in the absence of injury or infection. Unlike acute inflammation, which is temporary, chronic inflammation can last for extended periods, ranging from months to years. Symptoms of chronic inflammation are varied, but commonly include full-body pain, chronic fatigue, depression, and gastrointestinal complications⁵.

Recent research has shown that chronic inflammation is a major contributor to the development of various chronic conditions. It is particularly relevant for cardiovascular diseases, where it can cause the formation of plaques in blood vessels that can rupture and lead to heart attacks or strokes⁶. Additionally, the immune system is closely linked to metabolism, and inflammation in tissues such as fat, brain, liver, and pancreas has been found to be a contributing factor to various metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes⁷. Figure 2 shows a non-exhaustive list of major conditions which have been shown to be influenced by chronic inflammation.

Inflammation supplements for all