Chronic inflammation assessment and anti-inflammatory protocols in Los Angeles

Chronic Inflammation Management and Resolution

Chronic inflammation is the root cause of virtually all age-related disease and many digestive conditions. Unlike acute inflammation (which protects you), chronic inflammation silently damages your body for months or years before symptoms appear.

At LA Integrative Gastroenterology & Nutrition, we identify and address the sources of chronic inflammation through targeted diagnostics, nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle optimization—helping you restore immune balance and prevent disease.

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Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation

Acute Inflammation (Protective)
– Rapid onset in response to injury or infection
– Classic signs: redness, heat, swelling, pain
– Lasts days to weeks
– Resolves when threat is eliminated
– Essential for survival and healing

Chronic Inflammation (Harmful)
– Develops gradually over months/years
– Often silent with few noticeable symptoms
– Persists continuously or recurrently
– Damages healthy tissue
– Accelerates aging and drives disease

The problem: most people don’t realize they have chronic inflammation until disease manifests.

Causes of Chronic Inflammation

  • Food sensitivities and dysbiosis
  • Leaky gut and intestinal permeability
  • Chronic stress and inadequate sleep
  • Sedentary lifestyle and poor movement
  • Environmental toxin exposure
  • Chronic infections (including stealth infections)
  • Dysbiosis and microbial imbalance
  • Autoimmune activation
  • Processed food and sugar consumption
  • Obesity and metabolic dysfunction

Diseases Driven by Chronic Inflammation

  • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis)
  • Cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis
  • Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
  • Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative diseases
  • Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.)
  • Cancer and tumor progression
  • Chronic pain syndromes
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Accelerated aging

By controlling inflammation, we potentially prevent or slow progression of these conditions.

How We Assess Inflammation

Laboratory Testing
– High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
– Inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-8)
– Fecal calprotectin (intestinal inflammation marker)
– Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and leaky gut assessment
– Tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) for gluten-related inflammation

Functional Assessment
– Evaluate inflammatory symptoms and patterns
– Assess stress and sleep quality
– Review dietary patterns
– Examine lifestyle factors

Microbiome Analysis
– Comprehensive stool testing reveals dysbiosis patterns driving inflammation

Our Anti-Inflammatory Protocol

Identify and Remove Inflammatory Triggers
– Eliminate food sensitivities identified through testing
– Address dysbiosis through targeted antimicrobials
– Reduce environmental toxin exposure
– Improve sleep quality and stress management

Heal the Gut Barrier
– Repair leaky gut through targeted supplementation
– Support intestinal lining regeneration
– Restore tight junction integrity

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition
– Emphasize omega-3 rich foods (fatty fish, flax, chia)
– Include polyphenol-rich foods (berries, green tea, dark chocolate)
– Increase colorful vegetables and phytochemical diversity
– Reduce omega-6 and processed foods

Targeted Supplementation
– Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA)
– Curcumin (from turmeric)
– Resveratrol and other polyphenols
– Probiotics and prebiotics
– Bone broth collagen

Lifestyle Optimization
– Regular moderate exercise (reduces inflammation)
– Stress management and meditation
– Quality sleep (7-9 hours nightly)
– Reduced sitting and increased movement
– Social connection and purpose

Expected Timeline

  • 4-6 weeks: Initial improvement in inflammatory symptoms
  • 8-12 weeks: Significant reduction in inflammatory markers
  • 3-6 months: Deep resolution of chronic inflammation
  • 6+ months: Sustained low inflammation and disease prevention

Schedule Your Inflammation Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have chronic inflammation without knowing it?

Yes. Chronic inflammation is often silent. You might feel fine while inflammatory processes damage your body. This is why periodic inflammatory marker testing is valuable—it reveals inflammation before disease develops.

Is there a blood test that shows all my inflammation?

No single test captures all inflammation. We typically measure hs-CRP, inflammatory cytokines, and tissue-specific markers (like fecal calprotectin for gut inflammation). Together, these provide a comprehensive picture of your inflammatory status.

Can NSAIDs help with chronic inflammation?

NSAIDs suppress inflammation symptoms short-term but don’t address root causes. Chronic use carries risks including GI damage and cardiovascular complications. Our approach addresses root causes, producing superior long-term results without medication risks.

How does stress cause inflammation?

Chronic stress triggers cortisol elevation, which paradoxically promotes inflammation when sustained. Stress also impairs gut barrier function and disrupts the microbiome. Stress management is essential for inflammation control.

Can diet really reduce inflammation?

Absolutely. Diet is one of the most powerful inflammation-modifying tools available. Mediterranean-style eating, omega-3 rich foods, and polyphenol abundance produce measurable reductions in inflammatory markers within weeks.

What’s the relationship between inflammation and weight?

Chronic inflammation and obesity are bidirectional—inflammation promotes weight gain through metabolic disruption, and excess weight increases inflammation. Addressing inflammation often improves weight management success.