Top 9 Root Causes of Inflammation (That Doctors Won’t Address)

Jan 26, 2026

They unpack silent chronic inflammation and what actually keeps the immune system stuck in emergency mode. Topics include insulin resistance and sugar-driven inflammation, stress and cortisol’s immune effects, and how movement and exercise modulate CRP. Diet, omega-3 vs omega-6 balance, leaky gut and hidden infections, environmental toxins, light/circadian disruption, and social isolation round out the discussion.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

When Inflammation Becomes The Problem

Inflammation is a necessary short-term immune response but becomes harmful when it stays chronically active.
Chronic inflammation acts like a smoke alarm that never shuts off, causing ongoing tissue damage.

ANECDOTE

Smoke Alarm Metaphor From A Ski Trip

Josh Axe described a rental house smoke alarm that went off repeatedly during a family ski trip, disrupting sleep.
He used it as a metaphor for the body’s chronic inflammation that never stops and damages tissues.

ADVICE

Balance Blood Sugar First

Reduce sugar and processed carbs and prioritize protein, fiber, and healthy fats to balance blood sugar.
Use cinnamon and increase walking to improve insulin sensitivity quickly.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Chronic inflammation is quietly fueling the biggest diseases of our generation, and most people have no idea it’s happening. The real causes aren’t just aging or injuries, but hidden stressors that keep your immune system stuck in emergency mode. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand what’s actually triggering inflammation and how to turn off the alarm so your body can heal.

Watch The Dr. Josh Axe Show every Monday & Thursday on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjoshaxe?sub_confirmation=1

🎧 Early Access!

Our podcast listeners get every episode early, and you can tune in and be a part of our exclusive listeners below →

Spotify

Apple Podcast

Order my NEW BOOK, The Biblio Diet → https://bit.ly/4oPEP3t

Watch my free training on how to naturally balance your blood sugar and reverse your symptoms → DrAxeDiabetesClass.com

Discover practical steps you can take today to start healing your thyroid naturally → DrAxeThyroidClass.com

If you’re ready to start feeling like yourself again and balance your hormones, take my free class → DrAxeHormoneClass.com

Uncover what’s really going on in your body with advanced biomarker testing for hormones, thyroid, and metabolism— plus a 1-hour consultation with a Senior Health Advisor! → MyBloodWork.com

CONNECT WITH DR. JOSH AXE

Links

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10808594/

https://www.unc.edu/posts/2018/11/28/only-12-percent-of-american-adults-are-metabolically-healthy-carolina-study-finds/

https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article-abstract/47/3/491/154155/Interleukin-6-Diabetes-and-Metabolic-Syndrome-in-a?redirectedFrom=fulltext

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5311a1.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/1485898

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12442909/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12035-010-8162-0

https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/07/ultra-processed-food--five-things-to-know.html

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4154448/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18296320/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5988153/

https://dtsc.ca.gov/emerging-chemicals-of-concern/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10689975/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2614138/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8787084/

https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1516953113

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4282473/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772696723000133

DISCLAIMER

This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Axe nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices