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Understanding TNF-alpha and Your Inflammation Risk

Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection. It helps heal and protect by causing redness, swelling, and pain. When inflammation is short-lived it supports recovery. When it becomes chronic it can damage tissues and accelerate aging. The TNF gene makes a protein called tumor necrosis factor alpha, or TNF-alpha, which is a key regulator of inflammation. Variations in the TNF gene can change how much TNF-alpha your body produces and influence your tendency toward chronic inflammatory conditions.

This report focuses on the rs361525 variant in the TNF gene. Depending on your genotype, you may produce higher or typical amounts of TNF-alpha. Knowing your genotype helps you make targeted lifestyle and wellness choices to support balanced inflammation and healthy aging.

How to Read Your Result

  • 2 effect alleles (AA): Both copies are the effect allele. Associated with higher TNF-alpha production.
  • 1 effect allele (AG): One copy of the effect allele. Likely higher TNF-alpha production.
  • 0 effect alleles (GG): No effect allele. Associated with typical TNF-alpha production.

Genetic Interpretations

2 effect alleles (AA)

If your genotype is AA at rs361525, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This genotype is associated with higher TNF-alpha production. A stronger initial immune response can help fight infections, but chronically elevated TNF-alpha is linked to increased risk for autoimmune and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, and some neurodegenerative disorders. Persistent inflammation may also accelerate biological aging.

Because of this predisposition, proactive measures to reduce chronic inflammation can be helpful. Focus on an anti-inflammatory lifestyle that includes diet, supplement options, movement, sleep, stress management, and routine monitoring.

1 effect allele (AG)

If your genotype is AG at rs361525, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This is associated with a likely increase in TNF-alpha production relative to the GG genotype. Your immune system may mount stronger inflammatory responses, which can be beneficial in the short term for infection control, but may raise long-term risk for chronic inflammatory diseases and age-related conditions.

Managing inflammation through targeted lifestyle choices can help reduce long-term risks and support healthy aging.

0 effect alleles (GG)

If your genotype is GG at rs361525, you carry two copies of the non-effect allele and are associated with typical TNF-alpha production levels. Your genetic profile suggests normal regulation of this inflammatory signal. Even with a typical genetic background, lifestyle factors strongly influence inflammation, so adopting anti-inflammatory practices remains valuable for long-term health and aging prevention.

Practical Lifestyle and Diet Recommendations

Regardless of genotype, these evidence-informed strategies support balanced inflammation. If you carry one or two effect alleles, prioritize these practices because your baseline inflammatory signaling may be higher.

Diet

  • Adopt a Mediterranean-style pattern: emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish, and extra-virgin olive oil.
  • Increase omega-3 rich foods: fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), chia seeds, flaxseed, and walnuts.
  • Choose lean proteins and plant proteins to support repair without excess saturated fat.
  • Eat anti-inflammatory spices and herbs such as turmeric (curcumin), ginger, garlic, and cinnamon.
  • Limit processed foods high in added sugars, refined grains, trans fats, and excess omega-6 vegetable oils.
  • Reduce or moderate red and processed meat intake; favor fish and plant-based proteins.
  • Prioritize fiber for gut health: aim for a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to support beneficial microbiome activity.

Supplements to Consider (talk with your provider)

  • Omega-3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA can lower inflammatory markers and support cardiovascular and brain health.
  • Vitamin D: deficiency can increase inflammation; check levels before supplementing and aim for an optimal range as advised by your clinician.
  • Curcumin (turmeric extract): standardized curcumin formulations can reduce pro-inflammatory signaling when taken as recommended.
  • Probiotics or prebiotic fiber: support a healthy gut microbiome, which influences systemic inflammation.
  • Magnesium and antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E) as part of a balanced approach when indicated by testing or dietary gaps.

Exercise and Movement

  • Aim for regular physical activity: at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, plus strength training twice weekly.
  • Include low-impact movement and flexibility work such as walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, or tai chi to reduce systemic inflammation and support recovery.
  • Avoid prolonged sedentary time; stand up and move regularly throughout the day.

Sleep and Stress Management

  • Prioritize 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep per night. Poor sleep increases inflammatory markers.
  • Practice stress reduction techniques: mindfulness, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or cognitive behavioral strategies.
  • Social connection and purposeful activity also buffer stress-related inflammation.

Weight and Tobacco

  • Maintain a healthy body weight. Excess body fat, especially visceral fat, increases chronic inflammation.
  • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol. Both can increase inflammatory pathways.

Suggested Tests and Monitoring

  • Blood tests to discuss with your healthcare provider: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) to assess systemic inflammation; fasting lipid panel for cardiovascular risk; HbA1c for metabolic health; 25-hydroxyvitamin D level if deficiency is suspected.
  • Monitor symptoms that may indicate inflammatory or autoimmune conditions and report persistent joint pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, skin rashes, or unexplained fatigue to your clinician.

How to Use This Information

Genetic predispositions are one piece of the health puzzle. Environment, diet, sleep, stress, activity, and medical history all shape inflammation and disease risk. If you carry one or two effect alleles at rs361525, consider being more proactive about anti-inflammatory habits and monitoring. If you carry zero effect alleles, standard anti-inflammatory practices remain beneficial.

PlexusDx provides educational genetics information to help you understand potential predispositions. This information is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or a qualified clinician before starting or stopping any medication, supplement, or major lifestyle change. They can interpret your genetic results in the context of your medical history, current health status, and medications.