Inflammation often gets a bad rap, but it’s actually one of your body’s most powerful tools for healing. Knowing what you need to know about inflammation and how to support a healthy inflammatory response can be a game-changer for your energy, resilience, and long-term health. The real issue isn’t inflammation itself, but when the response becomes too frequent or lingers too long.
In this article, we’ll explore what inflammation is, why it matters, how your genetics may influence your response, and what you can do to keep it in balance.
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s natural defense mechanism in response to injury, infection, or stress. Your immune system quickly activates when something threatens your system, whether it’s a splinter, a virus, or exposure to environmental toxins. Blood vessels widen to increase circulation, immune cells rush to the scene, and the familiar signs of redness, heat, and swelling signal that your body is working to protect and repair itself. This process is essential for healing and is a key part of a healthy inflammatory response. When inflammation is well-regulated and temporary, it is incredibly beneficial. The real challenge arises when the response becomes chronic or imbalanced.
There are two main types of inflammatory response:
There are two main types of inflammation, and understanding the difference is key to supporting your health.
Acute inflammation is the body’s immediate, short-term response to a clear threat. It’s fast, effective, and usually resolves once healing is underway. This kind of inflammation helps you recover from a cut, a cold, or a minor injury.
Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is more subtle and far more persistent. It can simmer quietly beneath the surface, often triggered by everyday stressors like a nutrient-poor diet, high sugar intake, toxin exposure, poor sleep, or unresolved infections.
Over time, this low-grade inflammation can begin to interfere with your hormones, energy levels, mood, and immune system. The goal is not to shut off inflammation completely but to promote a healthy inflammatory response that activates when needed and calms down when the job is done. Knowing your genetic makeup for key inflammatory markers like IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α can help reveal whether you’re more prone to an overactive or prolonged inflammatory response, guiding personalized strategies to restore balance before chronic symptoms take hold.
When Inflammatory Response Becomes Harmful
Problems begin when the body’s inflammatory response becomes chronic or overly intense. Unlike the short bursts of inflammation that help with healing, long-term activation can quietly wear down multiple systems in the body. It may throw off hormone levels, disrupt brain and neurotransmitter function, interfere with digestion, and weaken immune regulation. Over time, chronic inflammation has been linked to symptoms such as joint pain, muscle stiffness, brain fog, mood swings, cardiovascular issues, blood sugar imbalances, and a sluggish immune response. Instead of suppressing inflammation altogether, the real solution lies in promoting a healthy inflammatory response that turns on when needed and resolves once the job is done.
Supporting this natural rhythm is key to maintaining long-term energy, resilience, and vitality.
Genetics and Inflammatory Response: SNPs That Influence Your Response
Your genes are key in shaping how your body responds to inflammation. Some people are genetically predisposed to have a more reactive or prolonged inflammatory response, which can increase the risk of chronic symptoms if left unaddressed. But having this genetic tendency doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. Instead, it highlights the importance of giving your body the proper support. By understanding your unique genetic blueprint, you can take targeted steps to promote a healthy inflammatory response and reduce the impact of long-term inflammation on your overall well-being.
Key genes from the Healthy Inflammatory Response Report by SNiP Nutrigenomics include:
CRP (rs1205)
This gene controls the production of C-reactive protein (CRP), a substance the liver releases in response to inflammation. CRP is a key marker used to detect systemic inflammation in the body, even when symptoms aren’t obvious. Specific variants of rs1205 can influence how much CRP is produced, which may affect your baseline inflammatory levels and your body’s ability to respond appropriately to injury, infection, or chronic stress.
IL6 (rs1800795)
This gene regulates the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a potent cytokine that plays a central role in acute and chronic inflammation. IL-6 helps coordinate the immune response during infections or injuries, but can also contribute to ongoing inflammation when not adequately regulated. Variants in rs1800795 can affect how much IL-6 your body produces, influencing your susceptibility to inflammatory conditions and how your immune system reacts to stressors.
TNF-α (rs1800629)
This gene influences the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a key signaling molecule involved in the body’s inflammatory response. TNF-α helps trigger inflammation to fight off infections and promote tissue repair, but elevated or prolonged levels can lead to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Variants in rs1800629 can affect how much TNF-α is produced, potentially increasing the risk of inflammatory conditions or affecting how your body manages immune challenge.
VDR (rs2228570)
This gene affects the function of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which plays a critical role in how your body uses vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for calming excess inflammation, supporting immune system regulation, and promoting overall cellular health. Variants in rs2228570 can influence how effectively vitamin D binds to its receptor and carries out its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects, which may impact your ability to maintain balanced inflammation.
Support a Healthy Inflammatory Response With Targeted Nutrients Found In CODE Complex™
Turmeric extract
Turmeric contains curcumin, a potent compound known for modulating inflammation by inhibiting NF-kB, a molecule that triggers the production of inflammatory cytokines. It also acts as an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress that can fuel chronic inflammation.
Green tea extract
Rich in polyphenols like EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), green tea extract helps regulate the immune response and reduce inflammation at the cellular level. It also supports detoxification and protects against oxidative damage that can prolong inflammation.
Pomegranate or grape seed extract
These extracts contain polyphenols and anthocyanins that combat oxidative stress and help lower pro-inflammatory markers. They support vascular health and protect tissues from damage triggered by ongoing low-grade inflammation.
Milk thistle
Milk thistle contains silymarin, which has anti-inflammatory and liver-protective properties. Supporting liver detoxification and reducing free radical damage helps prevent inflammation related to toxin buildup.
Bamboo leaf extract
Bamboo leaf is a source of flavonoids and silica, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce cellular stress and support tissue repair and resilience.
Vitamin D3 and K2
Vitamin D3 helps regulate immune function and prevent excessive inflammatory responses, especially in autoimmune and chronic conditions. Vitamin K2 works synergistically by supporting vascular health and reducing inflammation in blood vessels, helping to keep the inflammatory response balanced and targeted.
How to Support a Healthy Inflammatory Response
Regardless of your genes, lifestyle choices can help keep inflammation in check.
Anti-inflammatory nutrition is one of the most effective ways to support healthy inflammation. This includes adding omega-3 fatty acids from sources like fish, flaxseed, or algae, which help calm inflammatory pathways. Filling your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables provides antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and protect your cells. At the same time, reducing your intake of added sugars, ultra-processed foods, and alcohol can prevent unnecessary inflammatory triggers and help your body maintain a more balanced response.
Avoiding common triggers in your environment is essential to reducing unnecessary inflammation. Limiting exposure to toxins such as pesticides, plastics, and smoke can help lower your body’s inflammatory burden. Choosing clean, non-toxic personal care and household products also supports a healthier internal environment by minimizing chemical exposure that can disrupt immune balance.
Supporting your body’s ability to recover from stress is key to keeping inflammation in check. Practices like breathwork, movement, or meditation can help regulate the nervous system and reduce stress-driven inflammatory responses. Prioritizing restorative sleep is equally important, as it gives your immune and repair systems the time they need to reset and function optimally.
Take Action: What’s Your Inflammatory Response Style?
Ready to take the guesswork out of wellness? Discover your genetic blueprint with SNiP Nutrigenomics and receive your customized CODE Complex™, engineered to support your detox pathways, metabolic function, and overall vitality.
Already have DNA data from 23andMe or Ancestry? Enter your results to receive your customized nutrigenomics formulation, designed to optimize your detoxification and metabolic pathways and empower your journey to better health. Take the first step today!
Final Thoughts
Inflammation is not the enemy. It is a communication signal that your body uses to protect and heal. But when it becomes chronic or out of balance, it can quietly disrupt your energy, mood, digestion, and long-term health.
The Healthy Inflammatory Response Report from SNiP Nutrigenomics helps you understand your genetic tendencies and shows how to support your system using targeted nutrients and lifestyle shifts. With the correct information, you can restore balance, support resilience, and feel better from the inside out.
