Reviewed by:
Dr. Patricia Núñez de Aysa — Medical expert in Longevity, specialist in Rehabilitation and Traumatology without surgery.
Dr. Joel Cuesta Gascón — Medical expert in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and nutrition.
Last updated: May 2026.

In 30 seconds

• Chronic low-grade inflammation is one of the most underestimated processes in current health: silent, persistent, and behind many symptoms we normalize.
• Chronic stress increases intestinal permeability, which activates a systemic inflammatory response affecting the brain, energy, joints, and mood.
• The stress → cortisol → gut → inflammation axis has a solid scientific basis and explains why many people improve on several fronts at once when they intervene in just one.
• A real reset combines habits (sleep, stress management, diet) and, when necessary, strategic supplementation with evidence behind it.

The silent enemy almost no one talks about

There's a recurring pattern in consultations that most people have normalized:

• You wake up tired, even if you've slept.
• You feel "brain fog": difficulty concentrating, words not coming out, occasional memory lapses.
• You retain fluids for no clear reason.
• You have frequent digestive discomfort: bloating, gas, irregular bowel movements.
• Your joints ache without any explainable injury.
• You catch colds more often than usual or take longer to recover.
• Your skin is more reactive, duller, or prone to breakouts.

When this persists over time, the body is sending a clear signal. It's not "your personality" or "it's your age": it's likely chronic low-grade inflammation, one of the most documented yet most underestimated processes in modern medicine.

What is chronic low-grade inflammation (and why it matters)

Inflammation itself is a necessary defense mechanism. When you cut yourself or have an infection, the immune system activates an acute inflammatory response: redness, heat, pain. Its function is to protect and repair. And, most importantly, this inflammation subsides when the problem is resolved.

Chronic low-grade inflammation is different: there's no clear trigger, and it doesn't subside. It's a persistent, low-intensity immune activation that wears down tissues day after day without the person perceiving it as "inflammation."

This type of inflammation is involved in a significant portion of the most prevalent chronic pathologies:

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes
• Autoimmune diseases
• Mood disorders (depression, anxiety)
• Cognitive decline
• Chronic fatigue
• Nonspecific chronic pain

It's not an official clinical diagnosis in many contexts, but it is a widely accepted physiopathological framework in medical literature.

The gut-brain axis: the key piece of the puzzle

The gut is not just a tube through which food passes. It is the organ with the most neurons after the brain (hence its name "second brain"), it houses 70% of the immune system, and it maintains constant bidirectional communication with the central nervous system through the gut-brain axis.

This communication occurs through several pathways:

• Vagus nerve, which directly connects the gut and brain.
• Immune system, through inflammatory cytokines.
• Gut microbiota, which produces neurotransmitters and metabolites.
• Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, via cortisol.

When this communication is altered, the problems don't stay in the gut: they spread to mood, energy, joints, and the immune system.

How stress really damages your gut

Chronic psychological stress is not just "feeling bad." It has measurable physiological effects, and one of the most documented is on the intestinal barrier.

The step-by-step mechanism

1. Sustained stress → chronic activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
2. Chronically elevated cortisol.
3. Chronic cortisol weakens the tight junctions between the cells of the intestinal epithelium.
4. The intestinal barrier becomes more permeable: the so-called "leaky gut".
5. Substances that should not pass (bacterial fragments like LPS, food antigens) enter the bloodstream.
6. The immune system detects these substances and activates a systemic low-grade inflammatory response.
7. This inflammation affects the brain, joints, skin, metabolism, and mood.

The loop closes when this systemic inflammation reactivates the stress axis. The cycle is self-reinforcing.

Symptoms and where the origin might lie

How to achieve a real reset: the 3 pillars

Breaking the "stress-gut-inflammation" cycle requires intervening on all three fronts simultaneously. Treating only one (for example, just the gut with probiotics) often yields poor results because the system collapses again from the other sides.

Pillar 1: Reduce nervous system activation

If chronic stress remains active, cortisol doesn't decrease, and the gut doesn't repair. The first step is to train the nervous system to deactivate:

• Consistent sleep: 7-9 hours, stable schedules.
• Morning natural light (20-30 minutes).
• Real breaks during the day, without screens.
• Mindful breathing, especially long exhalations (activate parasympathetic system).
• Moderate-consistent, not extreme, exercise.
• Reduce caffeine and alcohol, both amplify cortisol.

Pillar 2: Nurture your dietary foundation

The gut repairs itself with raw materials:

• Whole, varied food rich in fiber (the microbiota converts it into anti-inflammatory compounds).
• Sufficient protein at each meal.
• Oily fish, nuts, and seeds: natural source of omega-3.
• Leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, fermented foods.
• Reduce ultra-processed foods, alcohol, excess sugars, and refined oils.
• Dinners not too late or too heavy.

Pillar 3: Strategic supplementation (when appropriate)

Supplements do not replace the previous two pillars. However, when well-chosen, they can accelerate the reset by providing ingredients with anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and gut-supporting effects.

Supplements with evidence in this axis

Omega-3 (EPA and DHA)

It is probably the natural anti-inflammatory with the most evidence. It reduces inflammatory markers such as C-Reactive Protein (CRP), modulates cytokine production, and generates resolvins and protectins, the endogenous compounds that help "turn off" inflammation once it has served its purpose. Its constant use improves the body's overall inflammatory profile.

PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide)

It is a lipid mediator that the body naturally produces and acts by modulating the endocannabinoid system. It has documented anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, especially useful in low-grade inflammation with an articular or chronic pain component.

Bacopa Monnieri

It is an adaptogen with evidence in chronic stress management. It normalizes corticosterone levels (equivalent to cortisol in humans) and modulates neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Its effect translates into reduced mental fatigue, improved memory, and lower emotional reactivity.

Zinc

Essential mineral involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions. It reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, enhances glutathione (the most important endogenous antioxidant), and is fundamental for the repair of the intestinal mucosa.

Vitamins B6 and B9 (folate)

They work synergistically to support metabolism, protect mitochondria, and participate in tissue regeneration. B6 is also a cofactor in neurotransmitter synthesis.

These five active ingredients are what we combine in Reboot: a formula specifically designed to accompany this reset, tackling all three fronts at once (nervous calm, systemic anti-inflammatory, and cell repair). It is formulated by doctors and designed to be taken at midday or after physical exertion.

How long does it take to notice the reset?

Improvements usually appear in this order:

• 1-2 weeks: better rest, less stress reactivity, less occasional bloating.
• 3-4 weeks: more sustained energy, better digestion, less joint pain if present.
• 2-3 months: inflammatory markers decrease (if analyzed), stable mental clarity, better recovery.
• 3-6 months: structural changes in the intestinal barrier and microbiota.

The time depends on how long the body has been in this cycle. For the reset to be real, two weeks are not enough: sufficient time must be given.

When to consult a professional

Medical evaluation is advisable if:

• Symptoms (fatigue, brain fog, pain, digestive discomfort) last more than 2-3 months.
• There is unintentional weight loss, fever, blood in stools, or night sweats.
• You suspect an autoimmune, thyroid, or intestinal pathology (Crohn's, colitis, celiac disease).
• You notice persistent low mood or loss of interest.
• Joint pain is progressive or concentrated in specific areas.
• You are taking chronic medication that may interact with supplements.

At tres60, we offer free medical consultation to guide you.

Conclusion

Chronic low-grade inflammation is not "your natural state." It's a sign that something, sustained over time, is asking for a change. And the change almost always begins with the same trio: reducing nervous system activation, nurturing the dietary foundation, and providing the components the body needs to repair itself.

If you feel it's time to break the "fatigue – stress – poor rest – inflammation" cycle, discover Reboot: omega-3, PEA, bacopa monnieri, zinc, and vitamins B6 and B9, formulated by doctors to support a real reset.

And if you want more personalized guidance for your case, schedule your free medical consultation or write to us on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

Is leaky gut an official medical diagnosis?

It is not a recognized clinical diagnosis in international classifications as such, but increased intestinal permeability is a documented and measurable pathophysiological process (via lactulose/mannitol tests, serum zonulin). The term "leaky gut" is popularly used to describe this process.

How is chronic low-grade inflammation measured?

The most commonly used markers are high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, ESR, and, in some contexts, ferritin and cytokines like IL-6. Your doctor can assess which ones make sense to order in your case.

Can stress cause joint pain?

Yes, indirectly. Chronic stress elevates cortisol and promotes a systemic pro-inflammatory state that can manifest as joint or muscle pain without an explainable injury.

Can chronic inflammation be cured?

More than "cured," it is modulated and reduced. Inflammation is a mechanism we need. What is sought is to reduce it when it is chronically active without a clear cause, and most people achieve this with sustained habit changes and, when necessary, targeted supplementation.

How long does it take for omega-3 to lower inflammatory markers?

Effects on CRP and cytokines usually begin to be noticed within 8-12 weeks of consistent intake with sufficient doses of EPA and DHA.

Does leaky gut cause food allergies?

It can contribute to increased food sensitivity, but it is not the sole cause of true allergies (IgE-mediated). In non-allergic sensitivities or intolerances, the role of intestinal permeability is more documented.

Can Reboot be combined with other supplements?

Yes. It is compatible with magnesium, vitamin D3, melatonin, and most products in the range. It is common to combine it with magnesium to reinforce nervous calm and with vitamin D3 if there is a deficiency. If you are taking medication or anticoagulants, consult first.

Can I feel worse at first?

Some people experience digestive changes in the first few days (softer stools, occasional gas) as intestinal processes reactivate. This usually resolves within a week.

Bibliographical references

• Furman D, Campisi J, Verdin E, et al. Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span. Nat Med. 2019;25(12):1822-1832.
• Vanuytsel T, van Wanrooy S, Vanheel H, et al. Psychological stress and corticotropin-releasing hormone increase intestinal permeability in humans by a mast cell-dependent mechanism. Gut. 2014;63(8):1293-1299.
• Camilleri M. Leaky gut: mechanisms, measurement and clinical implications in humans. Gut. 2019;68(8):1516-1526.
• Calder PC. Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochem Soc Trans. 2017;45(5):1105-1115.
• Petrosino S, Schiano Moriello A. Palmitoylethanolamide: A Nutritional Approach to Keep Neuroinflammation within Physiological Boundaries. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(24):9526.
• Kongkeaw C, Dilokthornsakul P, Thanarangsarit P, et al. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;151(1):528-535.
• Skrovanek S, DiGuilio K, Bailey R, et al. Zinc and gastrointestinal disease. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014;5(4):496-513.
• Cryan JF, O'Riordan KJ, Cowan CSM, et al. The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. Physiol Rev. 2019;99(4):1877-2013.

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