Want to live better for longer? Korean biochemists say knowing about these little-known factors could make a big difference.
When we think of aging, we tend to think of its outward signs like graying hair or wrinkled skin. But according to recent research published in the journal Experimental & Molecular Medicine, aging also brings quiet changes inside the immune system that can shape how well we age. Scientists are now focusing on two key processes called immunosenescence and inflammaging. They say these two factors may hold the secret to slower aging and a longer healthspan—or more years spent in better health.
A team of Korean biochemists from the Chonnam National University Medical School conducted the research, which was made available in September 2025. The team says that immunosenescence refers to the gradual weakening of the immune system with age. Over time, the body produces fewer new immune cells and relies more on older ones that don’t work as well. This makes it harder to fight infections, respond to vaccines, and clear out damaged or abnormal cells. As a result, older adults are more vulnerable to illness and often recover more slowly.
At the same time, the body experiences inflammaging, a state of long-lasting, low-grade inflammation. Unlike short-term inflammation which helps heal injuries or fight infections, this kind lingers in the background. “This chronic inflammation exacerbates tissue damage, impairs cellular function and accelerates the progression of age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and neurodegeneration,” the research authors note.
You can think of these processes as two sides of the same coin. As immune defenses weaken, the body becomes less able to clean up damage, which fuels inflammation. Meanwhile, chronic inflammation further disrupts immune function. “Together, these processes promote immune imbalance, leading to increased vulnerability to infections, frailty and age-related diseases,” the researchers warn.
The good news? Immunosenescence and inflammaging are not just “markers of decline”—they’re also “pivotal targets for therapeutic intervention.” The research team says that treatments are being developed to address immune aging to help the body stay stronger as it gets older.
Some approaches focus on rejuvenating the thymus, an organ that helps make new immune cells, or using stem cell–based therapies to refresh the immune system. Others work by adjusting how immune cells behave, especially T cells and other white blood cells, so they can better fight infections without overreacting. There are also treatments designed to remove damaged, aging cells or calm harmful inflammation that builds up over time.
Since changes in the gut microbiome may also contribute, improving your gut health could also improve health outcomes. Harvard Health Publishing recommends eating a well balanced, high fiber diet, staying well hydrated, managing stress, staying active, and getting plenty of physical activity.
So, for those hoping to age more slowly and in better health, the study suggests that strengthening immune defenses while reducing chronic inflammation could be essential strategies. Says the text: “This perspective positions immune modulation as a cornerstone of future aging and longevity therapies, potentially transforming how we approach age-related diseases and healthspan extension.”
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