THE SILENT INFLAMMATION: UNDERSTANDING CHRONIC LOW-GRADE INFLAMMATION & HOW PHOTOBIOMODULATION CAN HELP

Inflammation is a natural and vital part of the body’s defense system. When you injure yourself or fight off an infection, acute inflammation protects you and helps the body heal. But when inflammation becomes chronic — quietly active inside the body day after day — it turns into what experts call silent inflammation or chronic low-grade inflammation.

This invisible, long-term inflammatory state doesn’t cause obvious symptoms, yet it slowly affects tissues, metabolism, hormones, and energy. Today, chronic low-grade inflammation is recognized as a major contributor to many modern health problems.

What Is Chronic Low-Grade (Silent) Inflammation?

Silent inflammation is a mild but persistent activation of the immune system. Unlike acute inflammation, which is painful and noticeable, chronic low-grade inflammation is subtle and often goes undetected. You won’t always feel pain or swelling — but inflammatory molecules stay elevated, creating ongoing stress inside the body.

What causes this silent inflammation?

Research shows that several processes drive this inflammatory state:

• increased oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species

• overactive inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α)

• mitochondrial dysfunction

• lifestyle stressors such as poor sleep, inactivity, or chronic stress

Over time, these factors keep the immune system in “low alert mode,” leading to long-term inflammation that affects health, energy, and recovery.

Silent inflammation is associated with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular problems, weight gain, neurodegeneration, fatigue, chronic pain, and reduced immune resilience.

Because symptoms are vague — tiredness, stiffness, reduced recovery, low energy — most people don’t realize they are dealing with chronic low-grade inflammation.

How Photobiomodulation (PBM) Helps Reduce Silent Inflammation

Photobiomodulation, also known as red light therapy, is one of the most researched non-invasive methods for reducing inflammation and supporting cellular recovery. Many studies show that PBM influences mitochondrial activity, immune signalling, and inflammatory pathways, helping calm systemic inflammation.

1. PBM Supports Mitochondria & Reduces Oxidative Stress

Silent inflammation is strongly linked to mitochondrial stress.PBM works at the mitochondrial level by stimulating cytochrome c oxidase, helping cells produce more ATP (energy). When mitochondrial energy improves, the body becomes more efficient at controlling inflammation and repairing tissue.

Studies also show that PBM reduces oxidative stress — one of the major triggers of chronic inflammation — by increasing antioxidant enzymes. This helps reduce systemic inflammation and supports long-term healing.

2. PBM Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines

Several high-quality studies demonstrate that PBM lowers key inflammatory cytokines involved in silent inflammation, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. At the same time, PBM increases anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10.

By balancing immune signalling, PBM helps shift the body out of chronic immune activation and toward recovery.

PBM has also been shown to influence major pathways such as NF-κB and the NLRP3 inflammasome — powerful drivers of chronic low-grade inflammation.

3. PBM Helps Inflammation Across the Whole Body

Silent inflammation affects multiple systems, and PBM shows benefits in:

• joints (arthritis and joint inflammation)

• muscles and connective tissues

• the brain and nerves (neuroinflammation)

• skin and soft tissue

• metabolic tissues related to weight and insulin resistance

A recent systematic review even showed that PBM reduced CRP levels — a key blood marker of systemic inflammation — in people with metabolic inflammation.

4. Evidence From Clinical Studies and Reviews

Modern research, including umbrella reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, supports the anti-inflammatory effects of PBM. Clinical studies report improved inflammation markers, better pain reduction, and faster recovery.

While more large-scale trials are needed, the current evidence strongly supports PBM as a safe and effective method to help reduce chronic inflammation.

Why Addressing Silent Inflammation Matters

Silent inflammation doesn’t stay “silent” forever. Over time, it affects how you feel daily — your energy, clarity, recovery, and mood — and increases the risk of chronic disease.Reducing chronic low-grade inflammation can help improve overall well-being, restore vitality, support metabolic health, and reduce long-term risks.

PBM offers a natural, non-invasive way to support these goals.

How to Use PBM Safely and Effectively

Use the correct wavelengths - Most studies on inflammation use red (630–670 nm) and near-infrared (810–880 nm) wavelengths.

Be consistent - 3–5 sessions per week provide the best outcomes for reducing chronic inflammation.

Balance the dose - Because PBM follows a biphasic dose response, regular, moderate sessions are more effective than very long or intense treatments.

Support PBM with lifestyle habits - Good sleep, nutrition, regular activity, hydration, and stress management work synergistically with red light therapy to reduce inflammation.

Conclusion

Silent inflammation is one of the most widespread yet overlooked health issues today. Even without strong symptoms, chronic low-grade inflammation affects energy, recovery, metabolism, and long-term health.

Photobiomodulation provides a scientifically supported, safe, and effective way to help reduce inflammation, support mitochondrial health, and restore balance to the immune system. When combined with good lifestyle habits, PBM can be a powerful tool for long-term well-being and prevention.

References

• González-Muñoz A. et al. Efficacy of Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Treatment of Pain and Inflammation. Healthcare, MDPI, 2023.

• Shamloo S. et al. Anti-inflammatory Effects of Photobiomodulation Mediated by Cytokines. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2023.

• Ryu H-G. et al. Photobiomodulation Ameliorates Inflammatory Parameters in Rheumatoid Arthritis Models. PubMed, 2023.

• Ahmed Z. Benefits of PBM in Animal Models of Multiple Sclerosis: Systematic Review. Frontiers in Neurology, 2024.

• Effects of Photobiomodulation on Health Outcomes: Umbrella Review of RCTs. Journal of Photobiomodulation Research, 2024.

• Modulatory Effects of PBM on Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses in Periodontitis. Antioxidants, MDPI.Protective Effect of PBM on Airway and Lung Inflammation in COVID-19. PubMed.BioMed Central systematic review on PBM and CRP reduction.