C-Reactive Protein for Measuring Inflammation

C-reactive protein, found in trace amounts in healthy people, has quickly emerged as the leading marker of systemic (or body-wide) inflammation. You'll be hearing more and more about it: People with elevated CRP levels are four and one-half times more likely to have a heart attack, compared with people who have normal levels of the protein. Furthermore, a variety of serious diseases are associated with high blood levels of CRP.

Normal "high-sensitivity" CRP levels are less than 0.11 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Moderate CRP levels of 0.12-0.19 mg/dL are a cause for concern, and high CRP levels are 0.20-1.50 mg/dL. However, CRP levels can go up to 400-500 mg/dL in seriously ill people.

CRP levels are elevated in many different diseases and conditions.

Heart disease. High CRP levels are a better indicator than either total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, or homocysteine in predicting the risk of a heart attack, as well as of death in the first month after coronary-artery bypass surgery. CRP is present in lesions (commonly, but incorrectly referred to a cholesterol deposits) that form on blood vessel walls, but not in normal blood vessel walls. CRP is also strongly associated with the rupture of these lesions, which can lead to dangerous blood vessel clots.

Blood sugar disorders. Insulin resistance, Syndrome X, and diabetes are all associated with increased levels of CRP. This is significant because each of these conditions increases the risk of coronary artery disease. High CRP levels have also been found in patients with Alzheimer's disease, which is increasingly being viewed as an inflammatory brain disorder. Not surprisingly, people with arthritis and cancer also tend to have high CRP levels.

Dental disease. People with periodontal disease also have elevated CRP levels. This elevation may be the result of chronic infection or inflammation of the gums. It may also reflect inadequate levels of antioxidants, which would promote healing.

Smoking. Tobacco smoke raises CRP levels, and some researchers have found that they remain elevated in ex-smokers.

Overweight and obesity. Perhaps most interestingly, being overweight increases CRP levels. The reason is that adipose cells, particularly those that form around the abdomen (belly) produce large amounts of CRP and interleukin-6 (IL-6), both of which are powerful promoters of inflammation. The implications are significant: being fat is partly an inflammatory disorder, and body fat promotes inflammation. This may be part of the reason why being overweight increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other disorders. CRP levels are generally elevated in overweight children as well as adults.

The good news is that eating fewer refined carbohydrates and high-glycemic foods, taking natural supplements, engaging in moderate physical activity, and losing weight can significantly lower CRP levels. A high-quality, physician recommended natural Vitamin E, a specific fish oil supplement called Samolinic and possibly a combination of natural plant enzymes should be used to reduce CRP.