The 7 biomarkers to read and track your chronic inflammation

This listicle is inspired by our 2-part series on chronic inflammation: Part 1: Understanding the Causes → and Part 2: Levers for Action →.

Low-grade chronic inflammation settles in quietly. No redness, no acute pain, just persistent fatigue, slower recovery, less restorative sleep. And yet, it is one of the mechanisms most involved in modern diseases: cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, hormonal. The good news: it can be measured. Here are the 7 biomarkers to know in order to read your inflammatory terrain, identify priority levers, and check over time whether your lifestyle changes are actually producing an effect.

1. hsCRP: the reference marker for systemic inflammation

High-sensitivity CRP is the most widely used protein to assess low-grade chronic inflammation.

Why it matters: produced by the liver in response to systemic inflammation, hsCRP is now recommended to reassess cardiovascular risk. It is also sensitive to interventions on nutrition, exercise, and sleep, making it an excellent follow-up marker.

Context:

• Persistent fatigue or slow recovery

• Non-restorative sleep

• Diffuse joint or muscle pain

• Easy abdominal weight gain

• Frequent infections

Key takeaway: hsCRP is the first marker to request to objectify an inflammatory terrain. Always interpreted in context, never in isolation.

2. NLR: the ratio that reveals your immune balance

The neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio is calculated from a simple blood count.

Why it matters: this ratio reflects immune balance. An NLR above 3 is associated with systemic inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk. Interpretation must always be contextualized.

Context:

• Frequent infections or immunity that seems less effective

• Persistent fatigue

• Difficult recovery

• Chronic stress

Key takeaway: NLR is an inexpensive and valuable indicator to follow the evolution of the inflammatory terrain over time.

3. Ferritin: between iron status and inflammation

Ferritin is an iron storage protein, but it is also an inflammation marker.

Context: ferritin can rise in chronic inflammation, even without iron overload. An elevated ferritin must therefore always be read alongside other markers to distinguish iron excess from an inflammatory reaction.

Warning signs:

• Unexplained fatigue

• Difficult recovery

• Known systemic inflammation

• Underlying inflammatory or liver condition

Key takeaway: never read ferritin alone. Combined with hsCRP and a complete iron panel, it gives a fair reading of both iron status AND the inflammatory terrain.

4. Homocysteine: the metabolic and oxidative marker

Homocysteine is an amino acid whose elevation reflects altered metabolism.

Why it matters: its elevation often reflects a deficiency in B vitamins (B6, B9, B12) or oxidative stress. It is a marker associated with cardiovascular risk and metabolic dysfunction.

Context:

• Chronic fatigue

• Brain fog, decreased concentration

• Mood instability, irritability, depressive tendency

• Family history of cardiovascular issues

Key takeaway: homocysteine helps identify deficiencies in essential cofactors and oxidative stress. Often correctable through nutrition and targeted micronutrition.

5. ApoB / ApoA1: the cardiovascular ratio that goes beyond LDL

Apolipoproteins reflect atherogenic particles (ApoB) and protective ones (ApoA1) respectively.

Why it matters: the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio is a more precise indicator of cardiovascular risk than LDL alone. Oxidized LDL triggers an inflammatory cascade in the vascular wall and accelerates atherosclerosis.

Context:

• Family history of cardiovascular issues

• Abdominal weight gain

• Unstable blood sugar

• Suspected oxidative stress

Key takeaway: an unfavorable ApoB/ApoA1 ratio is a strong cardiovascular signal, even when classic LDL appears correct.

6. Omega 3/6 profile: the balance of essential fats

The omega profile measures the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 in your body.

Why it matters: a high omega-6/omega-3 ratio promotes a pro-inflammatory terrain. EPA and DHA are precursors of mediators involved in inflammation resolution.

Context:

• Diet rich in processed products or oxidized oils

• Low intake of fatty fish

• Joint pain

• Difficult recovery

Key takeaway: the omega profile is a lever that can be shifted quickly through nutrition (sardines, mackerel, herring, salmon, anchovies) or targeted supplementation.

7. Vitamin D: a foundation often insufficient

Vitamin D acts like a hormone, regulating immunity, inflammation, and bone health.

Why it matters: insufficiency is common. Recent large intervention studies suggest supplementation is most relevant in cases of documented insufficiency. In people with adequate status, benefits are less systematic.

Context:

• Persistent fatigue with no clear cause

• Recurring infections

• Diffuse muscle or joint pain

• Low mood, loss of motivation

Key takeaway: test before and during supplementation. Avoid blind high-dose supplementation.

In summary: a terrain, not a single number

These 7 biomarkers are not meant to be read in isolation. They make sense when placed in relation to one another, within a global reading of the terrain: metabolism, energy, hormones, recovery, nutrition, digestion, sleep, stress, physical activity, cardiovascular health.

At Lucis, we analyze more than 110 biomarkers across 11 physiological systems. Our medical team interprets your results in context, identifies the priority levers for your terrain, and proposes a personalized plan.

⚠️ The information in this article is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a medical recommendation. Please consult a healthcare professional before modifying your diet, training, or supplementation.