A silent fire

Inflammation has traditionally been thought of as the body's response to injury and foreign microbes. But as the threats we face have evolved, what if it were now the root cause of modern disease? New science has revealed low-level inflammation, simmering quietly and undetected, behind everything from heart disease and cancer to mysterious autoimmune conditions. Hidden inflammation even weakens our immunity and increases the likelihood that our immune system will mount an overwhelming, inappropriate attack against infections. Written by a doctor at the forefront of this field, 'A Silent Fire' brings together the science of immunology, nutrition and the microbiome to explain what we know of this elusive phenomenon.