Q
How do I know if I have chronic inflammation?
⚡ Quick answer
Test CRP and HbA1c. Symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, weight gain.
Chronic inflammation is the silent driver of most modern disease. The good news: you can measure it and reverse it.
Lab tests to ask for:
- High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP): under 1.0 mg/L is optimal. 1-3 is moderate inflammation. Over 3 is high.
- ESR: another inflammation marker
- Ferritin: when high (over 200), often reflects inflammation, not iron stores
- HbA1c: high blood sugar drives inflammation
- Fasting insulin: insulin resistance is inflammatory
Symptoms of chronic inflammation:
- Persistent low-grade fatigue
- Joint pain or stiffness, especially morning
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Belly fat that resists diet
- Skin issues (acne, eczema, rashes)
- Depression or low mood
- Frequent infections (immune dysfunction)
- Slow wound healing
- Constant low-grade headaches
What causes it:
- Sugar and refined carbs
- Industrial seed oils
- Processed and ultra-processed foods
- Chronic stress
- Poor sleep
- Excess alcohol
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Hidden infections (gum disease, H. pylori)
- Food sensitivities (gluten, dairy)
- Visceral (belly) fat
How to reverse: Mediterranean diet, daily omega-3, sleep 7-8 hours, walk daily, manage stress, eliminate inflammatory foods. CRP can drop 30-50% in 8 weeks of consistent change.
Get tested: most doctors will run hs-CRP if you ask. It is cheap (under $30) and revealing.
Read our full evidence-based guide on lifestyle for the complete picture.
View Full Guide →We write from peer-reviewed research and clinical guidance. These links let you read the underlying evidence yourself rather than taking our word for it.