PCR - What you need to know about this marker/test
In December 2023, I made a series of posts on my Instagram about the marker/exam C-Reactive Protein (CRP):
POST 1:
- CRP (C-Reactive Protein) is an inflammatory marker, i.e. a protein that rises in the blood in cases of inflammation anywhere in the body.
- In blood, CRP is one of the few tests where “the lower the result, the better”.
- CRP testing is very common, even in good check-ups, and is usually authorized by most health insurance plans, making it an inexpensive and very useful test.
- Here I'm talking about PCR = C-Reactive Protein, not the PCR-RT test that became known during the pandemic for “detecting the genetic material of the virus”.
- There are basically two types of CRP test, common and ultrasensitive. The “common” CRP test is best for detecting and monitoring major inflammations, such as joint, muscle, trauma, etc., as it may not detect inflammations with lower CRP levels, such as cardiovascular, subclinical, etc. inflammations. For these, “ultrasensitive CRP” should be measured. That's why it's very important that your healthcare professional specifies which CRP they want in the test request.
- Why was CRP so useful and necessary during the pandemic? Because Covid is essentially an inflammatory disease, affecting the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, neurological system, blood coagulation, etc.
- To better assess inflammation, it's not enough just to measure CRP. Ideally, you should also assess ESR, ferritin, fibrinogen, homocysteine and even insulin and glycated hemoglobin (the latter more for chronic inflammation). There are other good tests, but they are more expensive and less authorized by health plans, such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha, etc.
- CRP is widely used to monitor patients' metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk.
POST 2
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker found in the blood, and high levels of CRP-ultrasensitive protein are associated with more cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerotic diseases.
- CRP is produced in the liver, adipocytes (fat cells) and the vascular endothelium (the innermost layer of blood vessels, which is in contact with the blood) in response to active or acute inflammation. In chronic inflammation, its elevation is slight, sometimes not significant, and it is regulated by IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-1.
- Check your CRP-ultrasensitive test: when the value is in the “high risk” zone, the chance of inflammatory/cardiovascular problems doubles compared to a test with a “low risk” level.
- Individuals with metabolic syndrome, especially women, with high CRP are especially at increased risk of problems! Metabolic syndrome is characterized by central obesity (due to excessive accumulation of abdominal fat), high blood pressure, diabetes (or glucose intolerance) and dyslipidemia: low levels of HDL cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides. (Text via Google search)
- The main thing to lower CRP is to address (solve, if possible) the causes of inflammation. But various “natural anti-inflammatories” can help a lot, such as Omega 3, Vitamin C and TransResveratrol. (Here at icaro.med.br there are links to all this)
POST 3:
- One of the factors that most raises CRP (C-Reactive Protein, an inflammatory marker) in modern society is excess body fat, including severe overweight and obesity. This is because insulin, at physiological levels, is anti-inflammatory, but when elevated, it takes on a pro-inflammatory action. This also explains why many type 2 diabetics are more prone to inflammation in general
- Natural measures that can reduce CRP include improving lifestyle (see https://icaro.med.br/15habitos/), practicing regular physical activity/exercise, reducing or stopping alcohol consumption and smoking, losing weight to reduce body fat deposits, optimizing insulin levels and adopting the Mediterranean diet, among others.
- For my patients, I often prescribe to help reduce CRP (and inflammation) Vitamin C 500 mg (slow release) 2 to 3 times a day, Omega-3 1g 2 to 3 times a day (in many cases, even more) and Trans-Resveratrol 150 mg 2 times a day (this can also be used sublingually or transdermally, at a lower dose). Various other substances with anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial, such as those found in green tea, turmeric, ginger, propolis, etc.
- When there is infection together with elevated CRP (which is common), lower CRP is one of the indicators of successful treatment and a good prognosis.
- Inflammation is one of the biggest causes or aggravators of symptoms and diseases in today's world. That's why I believe that ultrasensitive CRP should be included in all patients' regular laboratory tests, including good check-ups.
To deepen your knowledge of how to lead a healthier life and consequently regulate C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels and treat many other diseases and prevent them through lifestyle habits, proper nutrition, physical exercise and much more, I invite you to read my 9th book, “Master Your Health”. This book is available for free at dominesuasaude.com.br and is a rich source of information and practical tips for those who want to live more vitally and minimize the risk of preventable diseases. With almost 160 pages, the content is designed to be easily understood and applied in everyday life, giving you the opportunity to recover, maintain or improve your health. The book addresses crucial aspects of healthy living, teaching you in a simple but effective way how to implement more natural and beneficial habits. Visit the link or click on the banner below to get your copy and start your journey towards improved well-being.
Based on and inspired by the work “Da Teoria às Formulações em Ortomolecular” by Dr. Artur Lemos. More information on orthomolecular medicine can be found at https://icaro.med.br/ortomolecular/.
Português do Brasil 
English 