Inflammation

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Inflammation — Holistic Approaches & Practitioners | Gyfts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation?

Acute inflammation is the body's immediate, time-limited response to injury, infection, or irritation — characterised by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain at the site of injury. It is protective and resolves as healing occurs, typically within days to weeks. Chronic inflammation is a persistent, low-grade immune activation that can continue for months or years without a clear ongoing trigger. Unlike acute inflammation, it is often systemic rather than localised, produces fewer obvious symptoms, and is linked to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurodegeneration.

What dietary patterns are most anti-inflammatory?

The Mediterranean dietary pattern has the strongest evidence for reducing systemic inflammatory biomarkers including CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. Key anti-inflammatory dietary principles include: prioritising omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish, walnuts, flaxseed) over omega-6 seed oils; emphasising colourful vegetables and fruits rich in polyphenols; consuming adequate fibre to support a diverse gut microbiome; reducing ultra-processed foods, refined sugars, and seed oils high in omega-6; and incorporating anti-inflammatory spices including turmeric, ginger, and rosemary.

Can stress increase inflammation?

Yes — chronic psychological stress activates both the HPA axis (producing cortisol) and the sympathetic nervous system (producing catecholamines), both of which upregulate pro-inflammatory cytokine production over time. Paradoxically, while acute cortisol is anti-inflammatory, chronic HPA activation produces glucocorticoid resistance in immune cells, amplifying inflammation rather than suppressing it. This explains why people under sustained stress are more susceptible to illness, heal more slowly, and have elevated inflammatory biomarkers.

What biomarkers are used to measure systemic inflammation?

C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most commonly tested inflammatory marker — a high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) below 1mg/L indicates low cardiovascular inflammatory risk; above 3mg/L indicates elevated risk. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a less specific marker. IL-6, TNF-alpha, and fibrinogen are research markers less commonly measured in clinical practice. Homocysteine, ferritin, and white blood cell count also reflect inflammatory states. Routine monitoring of hs-CRP is valuable for people managing lifestyle-driven chronic inflammation.

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Overview

Symptoms & Affected Systems

Contributing Factors

Supporting Lifestyle Strategies

Evidence Context

When to Seek Professional Help

Related Conditions

Fatigue

Inflammation

Allergies

Frequently Asked Questions