Using Your DNA to Personalise Inflammation Support

How inflammatory gene polymorphisms can guide nutrients, foods, and peptides

Chronic low-grade inflammation underpins many modern health conditions, including cardiometabolic disease, neurodegeneration, musculoskeletal pain, hormonal imbalance, and accelerated ageing. While lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, sleep, and stress remain the primary drivers of inflammation, genetic variation can influence how strongly an individual responds to inflammatory triggers—and how well they resolve inflammation once it is activated.

This is where DNA testing for inflammatory polymorphisms becomes clinically useful. Rather than predicting disease, these genetic markers help identify biological tendencies within key inflammatory pathways. When interpreted correctly, they can guide more targeted choices around foods, nutrients, nutraceuticals, minerals, and—where appropriate—peptide-based interventions.

Importantly, genes do not act in isolation. They influence pathway sensitivity, not destiny. The value of DNA testing lies in helping clinicians and patients prioritise which levers to pull first.

The practical advantage of DNA-guided inflammation support

Inflammation is regulated by networks of cytokines, transcription factors, immune receptors, and metabolic signals. Common polymorphisms in these systems may lead to:

• Higher baseline inflammatory signalling

• Slower resolution of inflammation

• Exaggerated responses to stress, adiposity, or gut permeability

Knowing where a person sits within these pathways allows interventions to be matched to biology, rather than relying on a generic “anti-inflammatory” approach.

Below are ten of the most reported inflammatory genes on commercial DNA tests, with examples of nutrients and peptides that may help modulate their activity—and why.

Ten key inflammatory genes and how targeted support may help

1. IL6 – Interleukin-6

Why it matters: IL-6 is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine linked to systemic inflammation, muscle wasting, insulin resistance, and ageing.

• Nutrient focus: Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) reduce IL-6 gene expression via NF-κB inhibition.

• Peptide example: BPC-157 has been shown in experimental models to down-regulate IL-6 signalling and support tissue repair.

  
  

  Why this helps: Reducing IL-6 activity lowers downstream inflammatory amplification.

2. TNF – Tumour Necrosis Factor-α

Why it matters: TNF-α drives chronic inflammation, pain, and metabolic dysfunction.

• Nutrient focus: Vitamin D helps suppress TNF-α production in immune cells.

• Peptide example: Thymosin Alpha-1 modulates immune balance, reducing excessive TNF-α signalling.

  
  

  Why this helps: TNF-α reduction can improve inflammatory tone without immune suppression.

3. CRP – C-Reactive Protein

Why it matters: CRP reflects upstream inflammatory signalling rather than being a direct cause.

• Nutrient focus: Dietary fibre and omega-3s consistently lower CRP by improving metabolic and cytokine drivers.

• Peptide example: Thymosin Beta-4 may reduce tissue-derived inflammatory signalling that feeds CRP elevation.

  
  

  Why this helps: Targeting upstream drivers is more effective than treating CRP itself.

4. IL1B – Interleukin-1β

Why it matters: IL-1β is central to inflammasome activation and chronic pain states.

• Nutrient focus: Zinc supports regulation of innate immune responses and inflammasome control.

• Peptide example: KPV (a melanocortin-derived peptide) suppresses IL-1β and NF-κB signalling in inflammatory models.

  
  

  Why this helps: Calming inflammasome activity improves inflammatory resolution.

5. IL10 – Interleukin-10

Why it matters: IL-10 is anti-inflammatory; lower activity can impair inflammation shutdown.

• Nutrient focus: Vitamin D promotes IL-10 expression and immune tolerance.

• Peptide example: VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) enhances IL-10 production and neuro-immune balance.

  
  

  Why this helps: Supporting IL-10 improves the body’s ability to turn inflammation off.

6. TLR4 – Toll-Like Receptor 4

Why it matters: TLR4 responds to endotoxin (LPS) from the gut, linking dysbiosis to inflammation.

• Nutrient focus: Prebiotic fibre reduces endotoxin load by strengthening gut barrier function.

• Peptide example: BPC-157 reduces TLR4-mediated inflammatory signalling, particularly in the gut.

  
  

  Why this helps: Lowering TLR4 activation reduces immune overreaction to gut-derived triggers.

7. NFKB1 / NFKBIA – NF-κB Pathway

Why it matters: NF-κB is the master switch for inflammatory gene transcription.

• Nutrient focus: Curcumin and magnesium both suppress NF-κB activation.

• Peptide example: KPV indirectly inhibits NF-κB through melanocortin signalling.

  
  

  Why this helps: Quieting NF-κB reduces multiple inflammatory signals simultaneously.

8. COX-2 / PTGS2

Why it matters: COX-2 drives inflammatory prostaglandin production and pain.

• Nutrient focus: Omega-3 fatty acids shift prostaglandin balance toward anti-inflammatory pathways.

• Peptide example: BPC-157 reduces COX-2 expression without the gastrointestinal risks of NSAIDs.

  
  

  Why this helps: Inflammation is reduced without blocking protective prostaglandins entirely.

9. FTO

Why it matters: FTO variants are linked to adiposity-driven inflammation and insulin resistance.

• Nutrient focus: Magnesium improves insulin sensitivity and inflammatory tone.

• Peptide example: MOTS-c enhances mitochondrial function and metabolic inflammation control.

  
  

  Why this helps: Improving metabolic health reduces chronic inflammatory signalling.

10. APOE (especially ε4)

Why it matters: APOE4 is associated with heightened inflammatory and oxidative stress responses.

• Nutrient focus: Polyphenol-rich foods (berries, olive oil) reduce oxidative-inflammatory load.

• Peptide example: VIP supports neuro-immune regulation and vascular inflammation control.

  
  

  Why this helps: Neuroinflammation and vascular inflammation are key APOE-related vulnerabilities.

Why this approach works best in context

DNA testing does not replace lifestyle medicine—it refines it. The most effective inflammation strategies still include:

• Resistance training and body-fat reduction

• Sleep optimisation

• Gut health support

• Stress and autonomic regulation

Genetic insights simply help prioritise which interventions may deliver the greatest return for a given individual.

This personalised, pathway-based approach aligns with the conclusions of my recently published systematic review in Human Nutrition & Metabolism, which highlighted that dietary patterns and specific nutrients can meaningfully influence oestrogen balance and inflammatory signalling in males, particularly when targeted to underlying biological drivers.

Take-home message

Your genes load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger. DNA-guided nutrition and peptide strategies allow us to lower the sensitivity of the trigger—supporting healthier inflammatory balance over time.