From Mark Stibich, Ph.D.,
Your Guide to Longevity.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

A. Inflammation is caused by an immune reaction on the cellular level. It can be caused by infection or allergies, but also by many lifestyle factors including:

• smoking
• poor nutrition
• lack of sleep
• sun exposure

Inflammation has been linked to many things that we associate with aging, including wrinkles, arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. Much inflammation can be reduced or prevented by changing our habits and environment or following an inflammation-reducing diet.