DNAlysis Health/ Mind: Part 4 – Inflammation

“Cool the Flame, Restore the Frame — Inflammation Under Control.”

 

Inflammation is your body’s natural way of protecting itself when something is wrong, like when you get a cut or catch a cold. It’s part of your immune system’s healing process. Your body sends out special chemicals to help fight off harmful things and start repairs.

This process is controlled by certain genes in your body. Normally, once the problem is handled, these genes turn off the inflammation, and your body goes back to normal.

But sometimes, these genes don’t turn off properly, and the inflammation keeps going even when it’s no longer needed. When this happens, it can slowly damage the body instead of helping it.

This ongoing, low-level inflammation is linked to several common health problems, including:

• Obesity
  
• Heart disease
  
• Arthritis
  
• Inflammatory bowel disease
  
  

So, while inflammation is helpful at first, if it sticks around too long, it can actually contribute to disease.

Gene Name	Genetic Variation	Your Result	Gene Impact
IL-6	-174 G>C	CG	moderately impacted
TNFA	-308 G>A	GG	no impact
IL-1	IL-1A 4845 G>T	TG	moderately impacted
	IL-1A -889 C>T	TC	moderately impacted
	IL-1B 3954 C>T	CT	moderately impacted
	IL-1B -511 A>G	GG	severely impacted
	IL-1RN 2018 C>T	TT	moderately impacted

DNA HEALTH

Alex’s Result: IL-6 -174 G>C / GC – moderately impacted

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is like a messenger in your body that tells your immune system when to start an inflammation response, kind of like sending out an alert when there’s a problem.

One of the things IL-6 does is help control the levels of a protein called CRP (C-reactive protein), which is a marker your body uses to show that there’s inflammation.

Normally, a little bit of inflammation is okay and helps with healing. But when IL-6 is active for too long, it can cause chronic, low-level inflammation—the kind that doesn’t go away and slowly harms your health.

This type of ongoing inflammation is linked to:

• Obesity, especially belly fat (visceral fat)
  
• Insulin resistance (a step toward type 2 diabetes)
  
• Dyslipidaemia (unhealthy levels of cholesterol or fats in your blood)
  
• A higher risk of heart disease

There’s a tiny change in a gene (called a SNP, or single-nucleotide polymorphism) that some people have. If you have a version of this gene called the C allele, it can cause your body to produce more inflammation messengers like IL-6 and CRP.

This can raise your chances of:

• Inflammation
  
• Weight gain, especially unhealthy fat
  
• Trouble using insulin properly (a risk for diabetes)
  
• Unhealthy cholesterol or fat levels
  
• High blood pressure, especially the top number (systolic)
  

These problems are even worse for people who smoke.

If you have this gene variant, it’s especially important to take care of your body by:

• Eating more omega-3 fats (found in fish oil, flaxseeds, walnuts)
  
• Eating less saturated fat (found in things like fatty meats and fried foods)
  
• Eating more antioxidants (from fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc.)
  
• Maintaining a healthy weight
  
• Avoiding all smoking
  

These steps can help reduce inflammation and lower your risk of disease.

Alex’s Result: TNF-A -308 G<A / GG – no impact

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) is a chemical your body makes when it’s trying to fight off problems, like infection or injury. It’s part of the inflammation response.

TNFα is made by two types of cells:

• Macrophages (immune cells that clean up damage or invaders)
  
• Fat cells (especially in people with more body fat)
  

While TNFα is helpful in small amounts, too much of it can cause problems. It can:

• Interfere with how your body controls blood sugar
  
• Contribute to weight gain and obesity
  
• Make it harder for your body to use insulin (leading to insulin resistance)
  
• Upset the balance of fats and cholesterol in your blood (called dyslipidaemia)
  

So, having too much TNFα, especially from excess body fat, can increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease.

IL-1 

IL-1 is a powerful chemical in your body that helps start and control inflammation. Think of it as a switch that turns on your immune system when there’s a problem.

There are two main versions of IL-1 that trigger inflammation:

• IL-1 alpha (IL-1A)
  
• IL-1 beta (IL-1B)
  

And there’s also a kind of “off switch” called the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN), which helps calm things down and stop inflammation when it’s no longer needed.

Your body uses special receptors to listen to these signals, like locks that only open for the right keys.

Now, some people have genetic differences (variations in their DNA) in the IL-1A, IL-1B, or IL-1RN genes. These differences can make their inflammatory response more active or harder to shut off.

That means their bodies are more likely to stay in a state of low-level, ongoing inflammation, which can raise the risk for many chronic illnesses, like:

• Heart disease
  
• Arthritis
  
• Diabetes
  
• Inflammatory bowel disease

Alex’s result: IL-1B -511 A>G / GG – Severely impacted

Some people have small differences in their IL-1 genes (called IL-1A, IL-1B, or IL-1RN). These differences can cause their bodies to produce higher levels of IL-1, a chemical that increases inflammation.

Too much IL-1 over time is linked to several chronic health problems, such as:

• Gum disease (periodontitis)
  
• Heart disease (especially problems with arteries)
  
• Autoimmune diseases (where the immune system attacks the body)
  
• Certain cancers
  

To help calm down inflammation, people with these gene variations should eat more foods that naturally reduce inflammatory chemicals in the body. These include:

🟢 Omega-3 fatty acids – found in flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds, and fish oil
🟡 Curcumin – the active part of turmeric
🟠 Ginger – fresh or powdered
🫐 Colourful berries – like blueberries, blackberries, and grapes, which contain powerful plant nutrients such as:

• Resveratrol
  
• Anthocyanins
  
• Dehydro-ascorbate (a form of vitamin C)
  

These foods can act like natural “coolants” to help bring the body’s inflammation back to healthy levels.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods for IL-1 Variations

Nutrient/Compound	Food Sources	Benefit
Omega-3 Fatty Acids	Flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, hemp seeds, algae oil	Reduce IL-1 and general inflammation
Curcumin (Turmeric)	Turmeric (best with black pepper for absorption)	Blocks inflammatory signals like IL-1
Gingerol (Ginger)	Fresh ginger, ginger tea, ground ginger	Reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines
Resveratrol	Red grapes, blueberries, red wine (moderate), peanuts	Antioxidant and IL-1-lowering effects
Anthocyanins	Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, purple cabbage	Neutralise inflammation, protect cells
Dehydro-ascorbate	Found in vitamin C–rich fruits like kiwi, berries, citrus	Supports immune balance, reduces IL-1
General Phytonutrients	Colourful vegetables (kale, spinach, peppers), herbs (basil)	Broad anti-inflammatory and antioxidant

✅ Bonus Tips

• Pair turmeric with black pepper to boost absorption.
  
• Eat berries daily – fresh or frozen.
  
• Use extra virgin olive oil as your main fat source.
  
• Aim for a rainbow of plant-based foods every day.

DNA MIND

Neuroinflammation refers to inflammation in the brain, which is believed to be involved in the development of many mental health conditions. When the brain experiences inflammation, it can affect how a person thinks and behaves, leading to issues like mood swings, memory problems, and changes in behavior.

Certain genes that control inflammation in the body can make some people more likely to develop chronic, low-level inflammation. Combined with environmental factors (like stress, poor diet, or infections), this can increase the risk of developing psychiatric disorders, including conditions like depression, anxiety, and even neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s).

Because inflammation seems to play such a big role in these conditions, doctors are exploring treatments that reduce inflammation as a way to help manage and possibly improve symptoms of mental health disorders.

Inflammation	CRP	G>A	GG	Neurodegenerative disorder	Mind regulation	Addictive behavior
	IL1-A	4845 G>T	TG	moderate	moderate
		-889 C>T	TC	moderate	moderate
	IL1-B	3954 C>T	CT	moderate	moderate
		-511 A>G	GG	severely impacted	severely impacted
	IL1-RN	2108 C>T	TT	moderate	moderate
	IL-6	-174 G>C	CG	moderate	moderate
	TNFA	-308 G>A	GG	no impact	no impact

CRP rs1205 G>A 

CRP: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance in the body that helps show when there is inflammation. It’s often used as a marker to check for inflammation, especially in cases where the body is fighting an infection or injury. When the body has inflammation, certain cells (like macrophages and T cells) release a molecule called IL-6. This, in turn, causes CRP levels to rise. So, higher CRP levels can be a sign that there’s inflammation happening somewhere in the body.

Alex’s result: GG

The “G allele” refers to a specific variation in a person’s genes that can affect how much C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced in the body. When someone has this variation, their body tends to produce more CRP, which is a sign of inflammation. High levels of CRP can be linked to a variety of health problems, including issues in the brain, such as a buildup of certain proteins (AB deposition), which may contribute to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

People with this genetic variation are more likely to experience chronic inflammation, which can increase their risk for cognitive decline (like problems with memory and thinking). To help manage or reduce this inflammation, experts recommend lifestyle changes, such as eating more omega-3 fatty acids (found in foods like fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds), which have anti-inflammatory effects and can help protect brain health.

IL1 in the brain:

Some people have variations in certain genes, like IL-1A, IL-1B, or IL-1RN, which make their bodies respond more strongly to inflammation. These variations lead to what we call “increased IL-1 activity,” meaning their bodies have a heightened inflammatory response. This can result in chronic, low-level inflammation over time.

Having this type of ongoing, low-grade inflammation has been linked to an increased risk of developing mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or even other conditions that affect mood and thinking. In other words, certain genetic factors can make some people more likely to experience inflammation that may contribute to mental health problems.

Alex’s Result: IL-6 -174 G>C / CG  Some people have a genetic tendency for higher activity in a part of their immune system called IL-1. This can make them more likely to develop inflammation in the brain, which is linked to problems like memory loss (cognitive decline) and mood disorders, especially depression.

However, this risk is often triggered or made worse by things like stress. So, if someone with this genetic tendency goes through a lot of emotional or mental stress, it can increase their chances of developing these issues.

To help lower this risk, it’s important to eat foods that naturally reduce inflammation in the body.
In short, a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet can help protect brain and mood health, especially in people who are more vulnerable due to their genes and stress exposure.

Some people have a genetic variation called the C allele in a certain gene, and this variation has been linked to higher levels of inflammation in the body. Specifically, it causes increased levels of substances like IL-6 and CRP, which are signs that the body is in an inflamed state, even when there’s no obvious illness or injury. This is known as chronic, low-grade inflammation.

This type of inflammation can raise the risk of problems like memory loss (cognitive decline) and mood disorders, such as depression, especially in people who are under emotional stress or living in an environment that promotes inflammation (such as poor diet, pollution, or ongoing stress).

The risk is even higher in people with the C allele who smoke, because smoking increases inflammation even more.

To reduce this risk, people with the C allele should:

• Eat more omega-3 fatty acids (like in fish, flaxseeds, or chia seeds),
  
• Avoid foods high in saturated fats (like fried or processed foods),
  
• Eat more antioxidant-rich foods (like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds),
  
• Maintain a healthy weight, and
  
• Avoid smoking completely.
  

These lifestyle choices can help keep inflammation low and support better brain and mental health.

TNFA -308 G>A / GG – no impact

Though some believe that Autism is an inflammatory illness, it is not the cause of Autism. However, studies have shown that Autistic people often have higher levels of inflammation than non-neurotypical people.

You can read a piece on Neuro-inflammation and Autism – here. 

Is Autism an Autoimmune Disorder?

Doctor’s recommendations:

• Follow-up HS-CRP-DBS test for current inflammation and/or bloodspot Fatty Acids test
• Decrease intake of saturated fats and moderate intake of omega-6.
• Increase intake of omega-3 
• Other nutrients shown to have beneficial effects on inflammation include ginger and curcumin, anthocyanins and trans-resveratrol from red berries.
• Diets like the Mediterranean diet

 

PLEASE NOTE: ANY VIEWS REGARDING THE RESULTS ARE MY UNDERSTANDING AND DO NOT SERVE AS PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. THE TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION IS STRICTLY RELATED TO ALEX’S RESULTS AND NOT MEANT FOR SELF-TREATMENT. ALWAYS SPEAK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE STARTING ANY TREATMENTS.