Is inflammation behind all chronic disease?

Right now, research is gathering pace in revolutionising our understanding of inflammation, which could transform the treatment of so many chronic diseases - cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease, depression, type 2 diabetes and many more.

So, what is inflammation, how is it implicated in these diseases and can we do anything about it?

Immunologist Professor Eleanor Riley at the University of Edinburgh explains what inflammation actually is and how chronic inflammation can get stuck in a self-perpetuating loop. We speak to Professor Charlie Swanton, who is the Francis Crick Institute’s Clinical Director. He explains how his research into inflammation is leading to a radical new approach to lung cancer-prevention.

Professor Tara Spires-Jones, Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, outlines the conundrum of inflammation in Alzheimer’s. We know it plays a key role, but how to intervene remains a mystery.

And can we as individuals do anything to bring down inflammation? Professor Sarah Berry from the nutrition department at Kings College London explains how what we eat can heighten or reduce inflammation in our bodies. Presenter: James Gallagher Producer: Hannah Robins