Here’s the truth:
Most people who talk about health are not measuring the one thing that drives it.
And by the time inflammation shows up on a test, it has often been building for years.
Let’s start with something most people agree on.
The root of many chronic diseases begins years before a diagnosis.
We are talking about conditions like:
-
- Cancer
- Thyroid disorders
- Gout
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Dry eye
- Autoimmune conditions, such as multiple sclerosis
And many others.
Because inflammation does not stay in one place.
It shows up wherever your body is most vulnerable [6].
Now Here’s the Part Most People Won’t Say
We live in a time where there is no shortage of health advice.
You have physicians, dermatologists, estheticians, massage therapists, nurses, personal trainers, nutritionists, registered dietitians, and social media influencers all sharing information about health—often with confidence, but not always with a full understanding of what is driving it.
But here is the truth:
Many are not focused on identifying or measuring inflammation early.
Not because they do not care.
But because:
-
- It is not what they were trained to do
- It is not what they are paid to do
- And in many cases, it does not directly benefit them
The “Blind Leading the Blind” Effect
There is a pattern happening.
People repeat what they were taught.
They repeat what they hear.
They repeat what gets attention.
Meanwhile, one of the most important drivers of long-term health – your internal inflammatory environment – is often overlooked.
Why This Matters
If no one is helping you understand what is happening inside your body:
You may think everything is fine, even when changes are already taking place.
And by the time something shows up on a test or becomes a diagnosis, it has often been developing for years.
A Shift You Must Make
At some point, you must decide:
Will you wait to be told something is wrong?
Or will you take ownership now?
Because the truth is:
No one is more invested in your health than you are.
What You’re About to Learn
In this article, you will learn:
-
- The basics of chronic, low-grade inflammation
- What happens in the body long before diagnosis
- The early signs, the “smoke,” before the fire
- How your Inflammation Score gives insight into your body’s internal environment
The Way Inflammation Is Usually Measured
Doctors often look at inflammation using blood tests, such as:
-
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
- Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
These tests are important and widely used. They show when inflammation is already happening in the body [5]. But they do not always show what led to it.
A Simple Way to Think About It
Think of inflammation like a fire.
These tests – such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) – show the smoke.
But they do not always show what started the fire.
That is where your Inflammation Score comes in.
Connecting the Dots: Fuel, Fire, and Smoke
Think of your body like this:
-
- Fuel mix (AA-to-EPA ratio) = how flammable the environment is
- Fire (inflammation) = the active process
- Smoke (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) = the signals something is already happening
Your Inflammation Score reflects the fuel mix.
It helps you understand how likely inflammation is to start, and how intense it may become.
Real-World Examples That Make This Clear
Example 1: The Kitchen Fire
Grease builds up.
A towel is too close to the burner.
The heat is too high.
Everything is ready to burn.
Then one spark.
Fire starts.
Smoke follows.
Prevention would have meant changing the environment before the fire.
Example 2: The Electrical Fire
Old wiring.
Overloaded circuits.
No inspection.
Everything looks fine.
Then a spark behind the wall.
Smoke appears.
Fire spreads.
Prevention would have meant identifying risk early.
Example 3: The Wildfire
Dry land.
Dead vegetation.
No maintenance.
One lightning strike.
Massive fire.
Prevention would have meant reducing the fuel load.
What Is Your Inflammation Score?
Your Inflammation Score looks at the balance between:
-
- Arachidonic Acid (AA)
- Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
This is called the AA-to-EPA ratio.
Why AA-to-EPA Matters
AA and EPA act like signals in the body.
They influence eicosanoid signaling [1][7], which regulates inflammation.
A Closer Look: How the Body Creates Inflammatory Signals
AA and EPA use the same pathways:
-
- Cyclooxygenase (COX)
- Lipoxygenase (LOX)
Higher AA leads to more pro-inflammatory signaling.
Higher EPA helps resolve inflammation [1][2].
How This Connects to Common Lab Tests
A higher AA-to-EPA ratio is often associated with higher:
-
- CRP
- IL-6
- TNF-α
These are downstream markers of inflammation, meaning they rise after inflammation has already started in the body. They signal that something is happening, but they do not explain what caused it [5][6].
Other markers, such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), may reflect inflammation but are less specific.
What Kind of Inflammation Are We Talking About?
Chronic, low-grade inflammation:
-
- Builds slowly
- Has a few early symptoms
- Affects the body over time [6]
A Leading Voice on Inflammation
Dr. Artemis P. Simopoulos is a world-renowned physician, nutrition researcher, and author who has spent decades studying the role of fatty acids in human health.
She is the founder and president of the Center for Genetics, Nutrition, and Health and has published extensively in peer-reviewed scientific journals on the relationship between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, inflammation, and chronic disease.
Her work has been cited by researchers worldwide and continues to influence how inflammation is understood in both research and clinical settings today.
She is widely recognized as one of the most influential voices in this field.
She has stated:
“We know from clinical studies and animal experiments that inflammation is at the base of ALL chronic diseases.” [3]
Connecting Omega-6 to Omega-3 and AA-to-EPA
The omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio provides a broad view.
The AA-to-EPA ratio provides a targeted, functional view.
-
- AA = omega-6 driver
- EPA = omega-3 balancer
Real Story: Dry Eyes That Wouldn’t Go Away
A client struggled with dry eyes for years.
After improving her AA-to-EPA ratio from 37 to 3:
-
- Symptoms resolved
- No longer needed sunglasses
Real Story: Debbie’s Transformation
Debbie:
-
- Lost over 100 pounds
- Came off medications
- No longer has signs of arthritis
Her omega balance improved significantly.
The Big Difference
-
- AA-to-EPA = fuel
- Inflammation = fire
- CRP, IL-6, TNF-α = smoke
Final Thought
Most people wait until they smell smoke.
But by then, the fire is already burning.
Your Inflammation Score helps you understand how flammable your body is – before the fire ever starts.
If you would like to know your “Inflammation Score,” contact the person who shared this article with you or email me at robert@dietfreelife.com. You will receive everything you need to get started, including your at-home dried blood spot test and a clear, step-by-step program to help you improve your score.
References
-
- Calder, P. C. (2015). Marine omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1851(4), 469–484.
- Calder, P. C. (2013). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes. Nutrition Reviews, 71(6), 284–299.
- Simopoulos, A. P. (2002). Omega-6/omega-3 ratio and chronic disease. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 56(8), 365–379.
- Harris, W. S., & von Schacky, C. (2004). Omega-3 Index. Preventive Medicine, 39(1), 212–220.
- Ridker, P. M. (2016). CRP and IL-6 pathways. Circulation Research, 118(1), 145–156.
- Libby, P. (2002). Inflammation in atherosclerosis. Nature, 420, 868–874.
- Calder, P. C. (2020). Eicosanoids and inflammation. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1276, 1–20.
- Sears, B. (2015). Anti-inflammatory nutrition. Journal of Obesity, 2015, 431985.
__________
Robert Ferguson is a California- and Florida-based single father of two daughters, clinical nutritionist, Omega Balancing Coach™, researcher, best-selling author, speaker, podcast and television host, health advisor, NAACP Image Award Nominee, creator of the Diet Free Life methodology, and Chief Nutrition Officer for iCoura Health. He also serves on the Presidential Task Force on Obesity for the National Medical Association and the Health and Product Advisory Board for Zinzino, Inc.
🗓️ Schedule a FREE consultation with Robert Ferguson about becoming a client: SCHEDULE FREE CONSULTATION
👉🏽 To order the BalanceOil+ with the BalanceTEST, > CLICK HERE
👉🏽 Watch a free online presentation on the BalanceOil+ and the BalanceTEST: WATCH NOW.
0 Comments