Think back to the last time you were sick. Aside from curling up on the sofa to binge-watch The White Lotus, you likely felt tired, achy and out of sorts – a natural inflammatory response to acute infection or injury. Acute inflammation is normal – even helpful – in bodily repair, and nutritionist Lucia Stansbie explains, “acute inflammation is a recovery process that enables the body to repair its tissues and eliminate pathogens,” naturally detoxifying the body and restoring health.

Trouble arises when inflammation in the body persists beyond acute infection, leading to chronic inflammation or ‘high alert’. Dr Rachel Byng-Maddick, a consultant rheumatologist, says, “Any infection or injury will stimulate the immune system to produce inflammation… but it should then die down again. If it doesn’t, and it continues for three months or more, we define that as chronic inflammation.”

While a few scrolls through Instagram will lead you to believe that everyone is navigating some form of chronic inflammation, The Telegraph reports that a (not insubstantial) one in five UK adults report living with the condition. This can stem from autoimmune disease, injury or illness that the body failed to clear completely – instead, the body ‘contains’ the illness and maintains a low level of inflammation for an extended period. According to The Cleveland Clinic, this can lead to increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal issues and neurodegenerative disease – but rest assured, with a few lifestyle changes, the ingredients in our Morning & Night supplement and a visit to the GP for good measure, you can ease inflammation and turn your ‘chronic inflammation red flags’ back to green.