Inflammation is your body’s built-in defense mechanism—it helps protect against injury, infection, or toxins. In the short term, it’s an essential part of healing. But when inflammation doesn’t turn off and becomes chronic, it fuels the development of autoimmune diseases, heart disease, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative conditions and more.

The good news? By identifying and addressing the root causes, we can reverse its effects and restore balance to the body.

In this article, we’ll explore:

  • The root causes of chronic inflammation
  • How inflammation contributes to disease
  • Functional medicine lab testing for inflammation
  • Strategies to reduce inflammation naturally

What Causes Chronic Inflammation? 

Chronic inflammation doesn’t appear overnight—it’s the result of ongoing stressors that overwhelm the body’s systems. Identifying these root causes is the first step toward healing.

1. Inflammatory Diet 

A diet high in processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats can drive chronic inflammation, while certain inflammatory foods—like gluten and dairy—can make it even worse.

Any food that you are allergic or sensitive to can also trigger low-grade inflammation,

Identifying and removing these triggers—through functional medicine testing or an elimination diet—can be a game-changer in reducing inflammation and restoring balance.

2. Environmental Toxins 

Environmental toxins are a major yet often overlooked contributor to chronic inflammation. From pollutants in the air and heavy metals in water to microplastics, toxic mold, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in personal care and cleaning products, these exposures add up.

When toxins overwhelm the body’s detoxification systems—liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system—they trigger oxidative stress, leading to cell damage, hormone imbalances, and mitochondrial dysfunction. This can leave you feeling fatigued, mentally foggy, and inflamed, while also increasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Identifying hidden toxic burdens and making strategic lifestyle shifts can make a significant difference in overall health and longevity.

3. Stress

Chronic stress—whether emotional, mental, or physical—can quietly wear down the body, disrupting the immune system and fueling inflammation. While short-term stress triggers cortisol to help us cope, prolonged stress keeps these hormones elevated, throwing key systems off balance.

Many of my patients struggle with troubling symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and digestive issues, not realizing that stress is a major underlying factor. The good news is that once you recognize stress as a driver of inflammation, you can take steps to regulate it.

4. Gut Imbalances

Your gut plays a critical role in immune function, mood regulation, metabolism, and overall inflammation control. When the gut is out of balance, it sets off a chain reaction that can impact the entire body.

One of the biggest culprits is leaky gut syndrome, where the gut lining becomes too permeable, allowing toxins and undigested food particles to leak into the bloodstream. This triggers an immune response, leading to widespread inflammation.

Another common issue is dysbiosis, an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. Factors like poor diet, chronic stress, antibiotics, and environmental toxins can disrupt this delicate ecosystem, weakening the immune system and contributing to chronic inflammation.

Hidden gut infections— such as candida overgrowth, parasites, or hidden bacterial infections, also play a role. These infections can quietly stress the immune system, leading to ongoing inflammation.

5. Hidden Infections

When your body fights off an infection, your immune system jumps into action to eliminate the invader. But sometimes, infections don’t fully resolve, leaving your immune system stuck in chronic “fight mode.” This ongoing activation can lead to persistent inflammation, draining your energy and contributing to long-term health issues.

Viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections—such as Epstein-Barr virus, Lyme disease, or gut imbalances—are common culprits. 

A hidden source of inflammation that many overlook? Oral infections. Root canals, cavitations, periodontal disease, or unresolved tooth infections can harbor bacteria that fuel systemic inflammation. I’ve seen patients experience remarkable improvements in their health simply by addressing undiagnosed dental infections.

6. Sedentary Lifestyle

You’ve probably heard that “sitting is the new smoking.” While that might sound extreme, there’s truth to it—lack of movement slows circulation, weakens metabolism, and increases inflammation.

On the flip side, movement does more than just burn calories—it regulates immune function, enhances detoxification, and lowers inflammatory markers. It also supports the lymphatic system, which plays a key role in removing toxins from the body.

The best part? You don’t have to hit the gym every day to see benefits. Walking, yoga, stretching, and even standing more throughout the day can help counteract the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. The key is consistent movement in a way that feels good for your body.

7. Obesity

Obesity isn’t just about carrying extra weight—it’s a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation that affects metabolism, hormones, and immune function. Visceral fat, the type that accumulates around organs, is especially inflammatory. It releases chemical messengers (like TNF-α and IL-6) that keep the immune system on high alert, contributing to insulin resistance, heart disease, and even cancer.

As fat cells expand, they outgrow their blood supply, leading to oxygen deprivation (hypoxia). This triggers an inflammatory response, bringing in immune cells that should help—but instead, they make the problem worse, fueling more inflammation.

Another issue? Dysregulated hunger hormones. Obesity disrupts leptin, the hormone that signals when you’re full. High leptin levels should suppress appetite, but in obesity, the body becomes resistant to it—leading to increased hunger, overeating, and continued inflammation.

To break this cycle, the focus should be on reducing inflammation first, not just weight loss. Anti-inflammatory nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction can help rebalance metabolism, making sustainable weight management possible.

8. Lack of Sleep

Sleep isn’t just about rest—it’s when your body goes into deep repair mode, clearing out toxins, healing tissues, and regulating immune function. When sleep is disrupted, inflammation rises, increasing the risk of obesity, heart disease, cognitive decline, and autoimmune disorders.

Your circadian rhythm (your internal body clock) regulates everything from hormone production to digestion. When it’s out of sync—due to late nights, blue light exposure, shift work, or chronic stress—it throws off your immune system, keeping inflammation levels high.

Poor sleep also increases pro-inflammatory cytokines, signaling the body to stay on high alert. While this is helpful in fighting infections short-term, elevated cytokines over time contribute to widespread inflammation and long-term disease risk.

By making restorative sleep a priority, you’re taking a crucial step in calming inflammation and protecting long-term health. 

 

Lab Tests to Identify Chronic Inflammation

Identifying chronic inflammation requires more than just looking at symptoms—it involves comprehensive lab testing to uncover hidden imbalances. 

Key Lab Markers for Chronic Inflammation:

  • High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP): Measures low-grade systemic inflammation and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic illness.
  • Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): Assesses general inflammation levels and can indicate autoimmune activity.
  • Homocysteine: Elevated levels are linked to cardiovascular inflammation, poor methylation, and an increased risk of heart disease, cognitive decline, and blood vessel damage.
  • Cytokine Panels: Evaluates pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, TNF-alpha, and interferon-gamma, which play a role in autoimmune disease, infections, and chronic inflammatory conditions.
  • Advanced Lipid Panel (Lp-PLA2, MPO, and fibrinogen): Goes beyond a standard cholesterol test to assess inflammatory damage to blood vessels and cardiovascular disease risk.
  • The GI-MAP (Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus) is one of the most advanced functional stool tests available. It provides a comprehensive picture of digestive health, including levels of beneficial bacteria, harmful bacteria, yeast, and parasites, leaky gut markers, and markers for gut immune function, which can indicate whether chronic infections are contributing to inflammation. Measure zonulin, eosinophil protein X, and calprotectin levels to evaluate gut inflammation.

Advanced Functional Medicine Tests for Measuring Inflammation and Cellular Health

In functional medicine, we go beyond standard inflammation markers to assess oxidative stress, cellular damage, and longevity. By measuring these advanced biomarkers, we can detect early warning signs.of disease and take proactive steps to restore balance.

Here are three powerful tests that provide deep insight into your body’s inflammatory burden and overall resilience.

1. 8-Hydroxy-2-Deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG): A Marker for DNA Damage

Your DNA is constantly exposed to oxidative stress from toxins, poor diet, chronic stress, and environmental exposures. When free radicals attack DNA, they create 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a biomarker that signals oxidative damage.

Elevated 8-OHdG levels have been linked to:

  • Cancer risk – DNA damage increases the likelihood of genetic mutations that may lead to cancer.
  • Neurodegenerative diseases – High oxidative stress contributes to cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease.
  • Cardiovascular disease – Oxidative damage weakens blood vessels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis.
  • Accelerated aging – Increased oxidative stress speeds up cellular aging and reduces mitochondrial function, impacting energy levels and overall health.

If 8-OHdG levels are elevated, it’s a sign your body is struggling with oxidative stress. Functional medicine strategies to protect DNA include supporting detoxification pathways, increasing antioxidants (glutathione, vitamin C, CoQ10, resveratrol), and reducing toxin exposure.

2. Lipid Peroxidation: A Marker for Systemic Inflammation

Lipid peroxidation occurs when free radicals attack lipids (fats) in your body, leading to cell membrane damage, chronic inflammation, and increased disease risk. This process plays a key role in many inflammatory conditions, making it a critical biomarker to measure.

Elevated lipid peroxidation levels have been associated with:

  • Metabolic dysfunction – Increased oxidative stress contributes to insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
  • Cardiovascular disease – Oxidized LDL cholesterol is a key driver of plaque buildup in arteries, increasing heart disease and stroke risk.
  • Neuroinflammation – Oxidative damage to brain cell membranes accelerates cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Autoimmune conditions – Chronic inflammation caused by lipid oxidation can exacerbate autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

3. Telomere Length: A Marker for Cellular Aging and Longevity

Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of your chromosomes that shorten over time. The faster your telomeres shrink, the more rapidly you age—and the greater your risk for chronic disease. Measuring telomere length provides insight into cellular health, inflammation, and longevity.

Shortened telomeres have been linked to:

  • Accelerated aging – Short telomeres indicate a faster biological aging process.
  • Cognitive decline – Research shows a connection between telomere shortening and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
  • Heart disease – Telomere dysfunction has been associated with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.
  • Cancer risk – Unstable telomeres contribute to genetic mutations that can promote tumor growth.

Telomere shortening isn’t inevitable. Strategies like stress management, intermittent fasting, mitochondrial support, and targeted supplementation with astragalus, resveratrol, NAD+, and polyphenols can help protect telomeres and promote longevity.

Why These Tests Matter

Inflammation and oxidative stress don’t just cause discomfort—they drive disease at the cellular level. Functional medicine testing allows us to detect early warning signs of cellular damage before symptoms appear, providing an opportunity to intervene and restore optimal health.

If you suspect inflammation is impacting your health, these tests can provide a roadmap for healing. 

Environmental Toxin Testing: Assessing Chemical and Mold Exposure

Beyond heavy metals, modern living exposes us to thousands of synthetic chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors, immune stressors, and pro-inflammatory agents. Advanced functional testing can help identify these hidden toxic burdens.

  • Glyphosate Testing (Urine Test) – Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is the most widely used herbicide worldwide. It has been linked to gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, autoimmune diseases, and even cancer. Testing for glyphosate levels helps determine exposure and guides detox strategies.
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Testing – VOCs from paints, cleaning products, plastics, and personal care items can overwhelm detox pathways, contributing to headaches, fatigue, and immune dysfunction.
  • Mycotoxin Testing (Urine Test) – Mold toxins (mycotoxins) from water-damaged buildings can trigger chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), neuroinflammation, and immune suppression. Testing can identify mold exposure and guide detox protocols.
  • Phthalates and BPA Testing – These endocrine-disrupting chemicals, commonly found in plastics, receipts, and personal care products, interfere with hormone balance and fuel inflammation.
  • PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Testing – Found in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and fast-food packaging, PFAS chemicals accumulate in the body and have been linked to metabolic disorders, immune dysfunction, and cancer.

  • Micronutrient Testing: Nutrient deficiencies often go undiagnosed but play a huge role in inflammation. The right levels of vitamins and minerals help regulate the immune system, protect against oxidative stress, and keep inflammation in check.

Inflammation is often called the “silent killer” because it can be present long before noticeable symptoms arise. By using advanced functional lab testing, we can detect inflammation early, identify its root causes, and create a personalized strategy to reverse it.

If you suspect chronic inflammation is impacting your health, consider working with a functional medicine doctor to run the right tests and develop a tailored approach to healing. The earlier you address inflammation, the better your chances of preventing long-term disease.

Conditions Linked to Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation disrupts how your body functions at a deep level, damaging tissues and making it harder to heal. Over time, this can lead to:

Autoimmune Conditions

When inflammation becomes chronic, it can confuse the immune system, causing it to mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues. This misguided immune response is the hallmark of autoimmune diseases, leading to persistent inflammation.

Over time, this unchecked inflammatory response can lead to conditions like:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Inflammatory cytokines attack the joints, leading to pain, swelling, and joint destruction.
  • Lupus: A systemic autoimmune disease where widespread inflammation affects the skin, joints, kidneys, and even the heart.
  • Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: The immune system targets the thyroid, leading to low thyroid function, fatigue, and metabolic imbalances.
  • Celiac Disease: Gluten triggers an immune attack on the small intestine, leading to digestive issues and systemic inflammation.

Metabolic Disorders

Inflammation contributes to insulin resistance, a core issue in metabolic disease.

  • Type 2 Diabetes: Inflammatory cytokines interfere with insulin signaling, making blood sugar control more difficult.
  • Obesity: Fat cells release pro-inflammatory chemicals that increase insulin resistance and fuel metabolic dysfunction. 
  • Insulin Resistance: Chronic low-grade inflammation worsens metabolic imbalances, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Inflammation damages blood vessels, making them more prone to plaque buildup, leading to heart disease and stroke.

  • Atherosclerosis: Chronic inflammation causes plaque formation, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
  • Hypertension: Inflammation stiffens blood vessels, making it harder for the heart to pump efficiently.
  • Heart Disease: Inflammatory markers like CRP (C-reactive protein) and Lp-PLA2 are linked to heart disease risk.

Mental Health & Neurodegenerative Diseases

Chronic inflammation is a major driver of mental health disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

Inflammatory cytokines disrupt neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, contributing to anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. Inflammation also weakens the blood-brain barrier, allowing harmful substances to enter, accelerating oxidative stress and neuronal damage.

The gut plays a key role in brain inflammation through the gut-brain axis. Leaky gut and dysbiosis trigger systemic inflammation, worsening mood disorders and cognitive function. 

Research links elevated inflammation to schizophrenia, while in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, it accelerates neurodegeneration by promoting harmful protein buildup and neuronal loss.

Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in both conditions, and inflammatory cytokines disrupt energy production at the cellular level.

Many individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia have elevated levels of pro-inflammatory markers, suggesting that inflammation contributes to persistent pain, exhaustion, and cognitive impairment.

Cancer

Chronic inflammation creates an environment where cellular mutations thrive, increasing cancer risk. Inflammatory molecules promote tumor growth and spread by stimulating abnormal cell division.

Conditions like chronic infections, obesity, and autoimmune disorders all increase cancer risk through inflammation-driven mechanisms.

Key Strategies to Help Lower Inflammation 

Chronic inflammation may be at the root of many modern health conditions, but the good news is that it can be addressed with the right lifestyle changes. Rather than just suppressing symptoms, functional medicine focuses on identifying and removing inflammatory triggers while supporting the body’s natural healing processes.

1. Anti-Inflammatory Diet

What you eat and drink plays a critical role in either fueling or fighting inflammation. Certain foods and beverages promote chronic inflammation, while others help calm it down by supporting gut health, metabolic balance, and immune function.

Foods and Beverages to Avoid

  • Ultra-processed foods (UPFs)
  • Refined sugars & sugary drinks
  • Processed meats
  • Gluten & dairy
  • Artificial sweeteners & additives
  • Alcohol

Foods that Support Lower Inflammation

  • Colorful vegetables & fruits – Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress.
  • Healthy fats (omega-3s) – Found in wild-caught fish, flaxseeds, walnuts, and olive oil, these help regulate immune function and reduce inflammation.
  • Lean proteins – Pasture-raised poultry, grass-fed beef, wild fish, and plant-based sources support muscle health and metabolic balance.
  • Gut-healing fiber – Found in artichokes, asparagus, leafy greens, and flaxseeds, fiber nourishes beneficial gut bacteria and reduces inflammation.
  • Herbs & spices – Turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and rosemary contain powerful anti-inflammatory compounds.

By focusing on nutrient-dense, whole foods and cutting out inflammatory triggers, you can create an environment for better health and reduced inflammation.

2. Optimize Gut Health 

When the gut barrier is compromised—whether from poor diet, stress, toxins, or infections—it can lead to a leaky gut, where harmful substances enter the bloodstream and trigger immune responses and inflammation. 

  • Targeted nutrients like L-glutamine can help repair the gut lining.
  • Probiotics and prebiotics restore microbial balance and strengthen the gut barrier.
  • Dysbiosis, an imbalance of gut bacteria, is another major contributor to inflammation and immune dysfunction. 
  • Addressing any imbalances with antimicrobials, probiotics, and gut-healing nutrients is key to restoring digestive and immune health. 
  • Supporting digestion with digestive enzymes can improve nutrient absorption and further reduce inflammation. 

3. Stress Reduction: A Critical Key to Lowering Inflammation

Chronic stress isn’t just an emotional burden—it has profound physiological effects that drive systemic inflammation.

When the body is under prolonged stress, it remains in a constant state of “fight or flight,” causing elevated cortisol levels that disrupt immune function, impair digestion, and contribute to metabolic imbalances.

Stress also weakens gut integrity, promoting leaky gut, which allows inflammatory compounds to enter the bloodstream and trigger widespread immune activation.

Effectively managing stress is just as crucial as diet when it comes to reducing inflammation and supporting long-term health. Incorporating these science-backed strategies can help calm the nervous system, regulate immune responses, and lower inflammatory markers.

Proven Strategies to Reduce Stress and Inflammation

  • Mindfulness Practices – Meditation, deep breathing, and yoga activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress hormone levels and lowering inflammation. Even just 5–10 minutes of mindfulness per day can significantly decrease cortisol and enhance emotional resilience.
  • Prioritizing Rest & Hobbies – Engaging in joyful activities, whether it’s reading, painting, playing music, or spending time with loved ones, naturally lowers cortisol and promotes relaxation. Making time for fun isn’t just a luxury—it’s an essential part of stress management.
  • Nervous System Support – Targeted nutrients help regulate the body’s stress response:
    • Glycine – A calming amino acid that supports neurotransmitter function and improves sleep.
    • Magnesium – Known as the “relaxation mineral,” magnesium helps soothe the nervous system and prevent stress-induced inflammation.
    • Adaptogenic Herbs (Ashwagandha, Rhodiola) – These natural botanicals help balance cortisol levels and improve resilience to stress.
    • B Vitamins – Crucial for nervous system function, energy production, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Chronic stress rapidly depletes B vitamins, making supplementation especially helpful.
  • Time in Nature – Spending time outdoors, especially in green spaces or near water, has been shown to lower stress hormones, reduce heart rate, and promote a sense of calm. Nature therapy, or “forest bathing,” has even been linked to improved immune function and decreased inflammatory markers.
  • Neurofeedback Therapy – Training the brain to shift into a relaxed state using real-time EEG feedback can help break chronic stress patterns. Devices like Muse provide guided meditation and biofeedback to enhance relaxation and improve sleep.
  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation – The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in calming the nervous system. Using techniques such as deep breathing, humming, cold exposure, or a vagus nerve stimulator can help shift the body from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest,” reducing stress-related inflammation.

By incorporating these stress-reducing strategies into your daily routine, you can help regulate immune function, support gut health, and protect your body from the damaging effects of chronic inflammation.

4. Movement & Exercise

Regular movement is one of the most effective ways to lower inflammation. Exercise helps regulate the immune system, improve circulation, and reduce oxidative stress, all of which play a key role in keeping inflammation in check.

That said, balance is important—too little movement can contribute to chronic inflammation, but overtraining can have the same effect. The goal is to engage in moderate, consistent exercise that supports your body without overstressing it.

Here’s how different types of movement help combat inflammation:

  • Moderate Aerobic Activity – Walking, swimming, cycling, or hiking boosts circulation, lowers stress hormones, and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines. Even just 30 minutes of walking a day can make a significant impact on reducing inflammation markers.
  • Strength Training – Building muscle through resistance exercises improves metabolic health and reduces oxidative stress. It also helps prevent sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), which is linked to increased inflammation.
  • Mobility & Flexibility Work – Practices like yoga, stretching, and tai chi enhance lymphatic flow, support joint health, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps lower stress-related inflammation.

5. Optimizing Sleep

Lack of sleep raises inflammatory markers like CRP (C-reactive protein) and increases disease risk. Quality sleep lowers stress hormones, regulates immunity, and allows for proper cellular repair.

  • 7-9 hours of sleep per night – Prioritize consistency in bedtime and wake-up times.
  • Create a sleep-friendly environment – Dark, cool, and tech-free.
  • Avoid late-night blue light exposure –to increase melatonin production.

Rather than suppressing immune function, functional medicine focuses on restoring balance—strengthening the body’s ability to fight infections while preventing excessive inflammatory responses that contribute to chronic disease.

Key nutrients that help regulate immune function and lower inflammation include:

  • Vitamin D3 + K2 – Essential for immune modulation, reducing chronic inflammation, and supporting overall immune resilience.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Help balance inflammatory cytokines, protect against autoimmune activity, and support brain and heart health.
  • Liposomal Glutathione – A powerful antioxidant that neutralizes oxidative stress and protects cells from damage.
  • Curcumin (Turmeric Extract) – A potent anti-inflammatory compound that works at the cellular level to reduce chronic inflammation.
  • CoQ10 – Supports mitochondrial health, enhances energy production, and lowers inflammation linked to metabolic dysfunction.
  • Zinc – Critical for immune function, gut health, and reducing oxidative stress.
  • Viramax – A blend of immune-supportive herbs and nutrients designed to enhance immune defense and lower viral-induced inflammation.

By optimizing immune function rather than suppressing it, you can help your body regulate inflammation naturally, preventing chronic disease while maintaining a strong, resilient immune system.

6. Detox 

Reducing exposure to toxins is key for long-term inflammation control. 

  • Choose clean skincare, organic foods, and non-toxic cleaning products.
  • Drink plenty of filtered water – Staying hydrated is key for flushing toxins, supporting digestion, and maintaining cellular health. 
  • Lymphatic drainage & movement – Dry brushing, rebounding, and sauna therapy aid detox.
  • Consider supportive supplements – Liver Detox Protect, Zeo Binder, Liposomal Glutathione, and Metal Detox.

 

7. Advanced Therapies for Inflammation Reduction

For individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions, additional therapies can accelerate healing:

  • Lymphatic drainage therapy – Supports immune function and detoxification.
  • Cold water immersion – Lowers inflammation and improves circulation.
  • IV therapy – Delivers high-dose antioxidants and nutrients for cellular repair.
  • Peptides & Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) – Promotes regeneration and reduces oxidative stress.

8. Find the Root Cause with Advanced Testing: Why It’s Essential for Reducing Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a symptom, not the root cause. It signals an underlying imbalance in the body, whether from diet, infections, toxins, stress, or gut dysfunction.

While conventional medicine often focuses on suppressing inflammation with medications, functional medicine works to identify and address its root causes—leading to long-term healing rather than symptom management.

It’s impossible to create an effective treatment plan without identifying what’s triggering inflammation. Are toxins overwhelming your detox pathways? Is gut dysbiosis triggering an immune response? Is a hidden infection fueling inflammation? The answers to these questions can dramatically change how inflammation is treated.

If chronic inflammation is affecting your health, testing provides the missing pieces of the puzzle—allowing you and your healthcare professional to take control of your healing with precision, not guesswork. Identifying the why behind inflammation is the first step toward long-term wellness.

Chronic inflammation can be reversed. When we remove what’s alarming the body and nourish it with what it needs, healing happens. If you suspect chronic inflammation may be affecting your health, consider partnering with a functional medicine practitioner to create a roadmap toward healing and resilience.

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