Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR)

Advanced wellness

also —

What it isA simple ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes that captures the balance between innate inflammatory activation and adaptive immune competence.

DoesIndexes systemic inflammation and immune exhaustion in a single number.

GoodA low NLR signals balanced immunity and predicts the lowest cardiovascular and cancer mortality.

BadElevated NLR predicts mortality across cardiovascular disease, cancer, sepsis, and aging. It rises with stress, infection, and chronic inflammation.

Standard

1–3.

Optimal

1.0–1.8 (lower is good)

Modifiers

Rises with stress, infection, smoking, glucocorticoids.

How to optimize

Lifestyle: Sleep, stress management, resistance training, quit smoking; address chronic inflammation drivers.
Diet: Mediterranean pattern; cut ultra-processed food.
Supplements: Omega-3 EPA+DHA (2–4g/day), curcumin (500mg 2×/day), vitamin D3, zinc.
Peptides: Thymosin alpha-1, thymalin.
Drugs: Treat underlying cause.

within Blood Cells