What is the Origin of Systemic Inflammation Assessment?

This concept is foundational to immunology and preventative cardiology, recognizing chronic, non-resolving inflammation as a central driver of many chronic diseases. The 'Assessment' utilizes established clinical pathology assays to quantify the concentration of acute-phase reactants and pro-inflammatory cytokines. This is a key diagnostic tool in functional and longevity medicine for identifying root-cause pathology.

What is the Mechanism of Systemic Inflammation Assessment?

The assessment mechanistically measures the downstream products of activated immune cells and inflamed tissues. For instance, hs-CRP is a protein synthesized by the liver in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6. Elevated levels indicate that chronic inflammatory signaling pathways, often triggered by visceral adiposity, gut dysbiosis, or hormonal imbalance, are active throughout the body. Quantifying this allows for targeted anti-inflammatory and lifestyle interventions.

Systemic Inflammation Assessment ∞ Area

Systemic Inflammation Assessment

Meaning

The clinical and laboratory process of quantifying the body’s generalized, low-grade, chronic inflammatory status by measuring circulating biomarkers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), or fibrinogen. This assessment is a critical indicator of underlying physiological stress and is strongly correlated with the risk of age-related diseases, including cardiovascular events and neurodegeneration. It provides an objective measure of the body’s inflammatory burden.