Explore by Health Interest / Inflammation & Oxidative Stress

Inflammation & Oxidative Stress

Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury and infection. Oxidative stress describes an imbalance between reactive molecules and the antioxidant systems that keep them in check. Both are normal, and both can become a problem when they persist.

The basics

Acute inflammation helps you heal. Chronic, low-grade inflammation is linked with many long-term conditions, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Cells constantly produce reactive oxygen species as a by-product of making energy. Enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, along with nutrients from food, help neutralize them.

What influences them

Well established: smoking, excess body weight, inactivity, poor sleep, chronic infections and autoimmune conditions can increase inflammation.
Genetics: variants in genes for inflammatory signals and antioxidant enzymes have been studied. Most have small effects, and research findings are mixed.
Emerging research: inflammation and oxidative stress are being studied in ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and other complex conditions.

Testing

Clinicians measure inflammation with blood tests such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Genetic tests, by contrast, describe inherited tendencies in related pathways and don't measure current inflammation.

Important limitations: A genetic result can't tell you whether you have inflammation or oxidative stress now, and it doesn't diagnose any condition.

Related Tests

dnaPower · purchased on dnaPower's website

healthPower DNA Test

$299.00 · price set by dnaPower

What's tested: 35+ genetic variations in hormone balance, detoxification, inflammation and methylation pathways, as described by dnaPower.
What it explores: Genetic tendencies across several health pathways, including inflammation.
Why it may be relevant: Offers genetic background on inflammation-related pathways. It does not measure current inflammation.
Sample: Cheek swab, collected at home

View Test

dnaPower · purchased on dnaPower's website

totalPower DNA Wellness Test

$499.00 · price set by dnaPower

What's tested: 250+ genetic variations across diet, fitness, health and brain reports, as described by dnaPower.
What it explores: A broad wellness overview that includes health-pathway genetics.
Why it may be relevant: The broadest dnaPower option, including inflammation-related pathways within a full report.
Sample: Cheek swab, collected at home