Inflammation has become a widely discussed topic in health and nutrition—but it is also often misunderstood. So what role does inflammation actually play in the body, and how does it affect our long-term health? What is inflammation? Inflammation is a natural and essential part of the immune system . It is the body’s response to: injury infection toxins Typical signs include redness, swelling, heat, and pain. In the short term, this process is protective and necessary for hea