🧐 This is going to be controversial but…

Chronic inflammation is not a “root cause” of disease.

We can document evidence of chronic inflammation on blood tests, but that doesn’t mean we know the cause.

🔥 Why is the inflammation there in the first place? What’s causing IT?

It takes detective work to answer this question for any given person—and that is precisely my job.

To give you an idea, here’s a partial list of some of the possible causes of chronic inflammation:

1️⃣ Infections

Many infections can evade the immune system and persist in the body over time—including bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

2️⃣ Toxins

Exposure to low levels of toxins or irritants over time can aggravate the immune system and cause inflammation.

3️⃣ Diet

Diets high in refined sugar or trans fats are associated with a higher production of inflammatory molecules.

4️⃣ Low Sex Hormones

Maintaining levels of hormones like estrogen and testosterone can reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases.

5️⃣ Poor Gut Health

Inflammation in the digestive tract can compromise the integrity of the gut lining, allow passage of toxins or other molecules into circulation, and trigger systemic inflammation.

6️⃣ Obesity

Visceral fat tissue (the type that builds up in the abdomen) acts like an endocrine organ, releasing inflammatory compounds.

Don’t settle for being told that chronic inflammation is the cause of your symptoms.

👉 There is always something beneath it 👈

Uncovering the root cause of chronic inflammation is a highly individualized process and best done with a qualified functional medicine practitioner.

That’s what we’re here for.

Which of these causes surprised you the most? Let me know in the comments ⤵️