Low-Grade Inflammation: The Silent Fire Behind Chronic Symptoms

Not all inflammation is acute or visible. Some forms smoulder quietly in the body for years, without obvious signs. This is known as low-grade inflammation: a persistent, subtle activation of the immune system that does not resolve on its own. It plays a central role in symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, hormonal imbalance, digestive issues and even neurodegeneration. In this blog, you will discover what low-grade inflammation is, what causes it, and how DNA Care investigates and supports recovery.

Case study: fatigue, brain fog and hormonal issues

A 42-year-old woman presented with persistent fatigue, muscle pain, mood changes, poor concentration and fluctuating hormones. Previous investigations revealed no clear diagnosis. Our assessment revealed a pattern of low-grade inflammation: elevated hs-CRP, reduced HRV, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), slow COMT (a genetic variant affecting the breakdown of stress hormones and oestrogens), histamine overload and a GSTM1 deletion (a missing detoxification gene). We supported her with anti-inflammatory nutrition, microbiome repair, stress regulation, liver support and epigenetic interventions. Within four months, her energy, clarity and emotional balance had significantly improved.

What is low-grade inflammation?

Low-grade inflammation is a chronic, low-level immune activation without fever or visible swelling, but with measurable changes on a cellular level. It forms the biological backdrop of many chronic health conditions. Typical features include:

• Endotoxaemia originating in the gut (e.g. due to increased intestinal permeability, or “leaky gut”)
• Oxidative stress and impaired redox balance
• Activation of inflammatory switches (such as the NLRP3 inflammasome – a cellular danger-sensing system)
• Elevated inflammatory markers (such as hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α)
• Dysregulation of the nervous system (e.g. low heart rate variability – HRV)
• Hormonal symptoms such as PMS, cyclical migraines or menstrual disturbances

How is it different from acute inflammation?

Infections or acute inflammation often involve redness, swelling and fever – clear signals of an immune response. In contrast, low-grade inflammation is subtle and often goes unnoticed for years. It can affect brain function, energy levels, hormonal rhythms and the body’s capacity to recover.

New scientific insights (2023–2024)

➤ Redox balance and oxidative stress
Redox balance refers to the equilibrium between oxidative molecules (such as reactive oxygen species, or ROS) and antioxidants. You can think of it as cellular breathing: the dynamic balance between activation and recovery. If disturbed, it leads to oxidative stress, cell damage and inflammation.

➤ Inflammasomes: mitochondrial alarm systems
The NLRP3 inflammasome is an intracellular inflammatory switch. Mitochondrial damage – the cell’s energy system – can trigger this switch through signals like ROS or mitochondrial DNA, contributing to chronic systemic inflammation.

➤ Metaflammation: metabolic inflammation
Low-grade inflammation is frequently seen in insulin resistance, MAFLD (metabolic-associated fatty liver disease) or metabolic syndrome. This is also known as metaflammation: immune activation that arises from impaired metabolism.

➤ Gut-brain axis and neuroinflammation
When the gut or blood-brain barrier becomes more permeable, substances such as LPS (lipopolysaccharides), histamine or glutamate can enter the brain. This may contribute to brain fog, mood disorders, anxiety or sleep issues.

➤ Epigenetic influences
Gene expression related to inflammation (e.g. NF-κB) is affected by diet, sleep, physical activity, gut flora and supplementation. Natural compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, sulforaphane, omega-3 and magnesium can help modulate inflammatory pathways epigenetically.

➤ Nervous system as regulator
Chronic inflammation increases cortisol, suppresses melatonin and inhibits vagus nerve function. Conversely, vagus nerve stimulation may help reduce inflammation via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.

When to suspect low-grade inflammation

🧠 Neurological and mental signs:
• Brain fog
• Mood changes without a clear cause
• Emotional sensitivity or reactivity
• Poor stress tolerance or low HRV
• Sleep issues or nervous tension

🩺 Physical symptoms:
• Chronic fatigue
• Muscle pain, joint stiffness or fibromyalgia
• Digestive issues or food sensitivities
• Hormonal migraines, PMS or irregular cycles
• Poor exercise tolerance or blood sugar fluctuations

Functional diagnostics at DNA Care

At DNA Care, we combine genetic and functional testing to uncover hidden inflammatory patterns:

• hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein)
A sensitive blood marker that can detect subtle, chronic inflammation – often elevated in metabolic syndrome, mood disturbances or increased cardiovascular risk. This test is requested through DNA Care when low-grade inflammation is suspected.

• GI-MAP – measures LPS, zonulin, calprotectin, sIgA
(Zonulin regulates intestinal permeability; calprotectin is a marker for gut inflammation; LPS are bacterial endotoxins; and sIgA is a protective antibody in the gut lining. Together, they offer insight into inflammation and intestinal barrier integrity.)

• HRV (heart rate variability)
An indicator of autonomic nervous system balance. Low HRV may reflect reduced resilience and chronic stress.

• Cortisol curve (salivary testing of the HPA axis)
Provides insight into daily cortisol rhythms – useful in fatigue, sleep disturbances and hormonal imbalance.

• Organix / fatty acid profile
(Shows mitochondrial stress, oxidative load and deficiencies in cofactors like carnitine – for fat metabolism – and glutathione, the body’s key intracellular antioxidant.)

• Genetic profile – including NLRP3, SOD2, DAO, IL6, MTHFR
(These genes affect susceptibility to inflammation, oxidative stress (e.g. SOD2), histamine breakdown (DAO) and detoxification capacity.)

Recovery at DNA Care: understanding before suppressing

Our approach focuses on restoring calm, balance and resilience by working from the inside out:

• Nutrition: anti-inflammatory, gut-restoring, blood sugar supportive
• Supplements: omega-3, magnesium, curcumin, quercetin, Nrf2 activators (compounds that trigger the body’s own antioxidant response)
• Microbiome support: probiotics, prebiotics and intestinal repair
• Nervous system: vagus nerve stimulation and sleep optimisation
• Epigenetics: using lifestyle signals to influence cell function and gene expression

Conventional anti-inflammatories may cause further low-grade inflammation down the line. DNA Care offers insight, personalised diagnostics and step-by-step systems regulation.

In essence – five key takeaways

Low-grade inflammation is chronic immune activation without obvious signs like fever or swelling.
It affects brain function, digestion, hormonal balance and energy.
Genetic and environmental factors reinforce each other in prolonged inflammation.
Functional diagnostics help make the invisible visible.
DNA Care guides recovery through nutrition, vagus nerve support, epigenetics and restoring balance.

When inflammation is no longer suppressed but understood, the body can begin to breathe again – in clarity, rhythm and resilience.