In this article
The Fire You Cannot Feel
Inflammation is not always a swollen ankle or a red, hot wound. The inflammation that matters most for your long-term health is the kind you cannot see, feel, or detect without a blood test. It is called chronic low-grade inflammation — or, in longevity medicine, "inflammaging" — and it is arguably the single most important process driving the chronic diseases that kill most people.
The Key Inflammation Markers You Should Know
hsCRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein)
Optimal longevity target: < 0.5 mg/L. A meta-analysis of over 160,000 participants established that each doubling of hsCRP concentration is associated with approximately 37% increase in coronary heart disease risk.
Homocysteine
Optimal longevity target: 5 – 8 μmol/L. Elevated homocysteine is directly toxic to endothelial cells and is independently associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Optimal target: < 1.0 pg/mL. IL-6 is a more sensitive marker of chronic inflammation than hsCRP.
Fibrinogen
Optimal target: 200 – 300 mg/dL. An independent predictor of cardiovascular events and stroke.
Omega-3 Index
Optimal: > 8%. Below 4% is associated with highest cardiovascular risk.
Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Inflammation
Mediterranean-style diet, regular exercise (particularly zone 2 aerobic training), consistent sleep of 7-9 hours, B-vitamin optimisation for homocysteine, omega-3 supplementation of 2-4 grams EPA/DHA daily, and stress management through meditation and breathwork.
At Genoryx, our comprehensive inflammation panel measures hsCRP, IL-6, homocysteine, fibrinogen, ferritin, omega-3 index, and additional markers. Book a consultation and find out whether the fire you cannot feel is silently accelerating your biological age.
Go deeper
Markers in this article
Sources
Studies named in this article that we matched to the original paper. A study described without enough detail to identify it is not listed.
- 01Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration; Kaptoge S, Di Angelantonio E, Lowe G, et al. C-reactive protein concentration and risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and mortality: an individual participant meta-analysis. Lancet. 2010. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61717-7 (opens in a new tab)
This article is for education. It is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan; decisions about tests, medicines or supplements belong in a consultation with a physician who knows your history.
About the author
Dr. R. Brahmananda Reddy
MSc Dermatology, University of Hertfordshire (UK) · Founder & Chief Longevity Physician
MBBS · MSc Dermatology (University of Hertfordshire, UK) · Fellowship in Aesthetic & Regenerative Medicine (University of Greifswald, Germany). 13+ years in clinical practice.
Full profile
