C-Reactive Protein: What it tells about your health, and how Nutrition and Supplements can support

CRP! You must have heard this word by your primary care physician many times. Might wonder what it means and why my doctor is after this. But after reading this blog, you'll be able to better understand how CRP affects your health and what things you can add into your diet that can help decrease CRP levels in your body. 

C-reactive proteins (CRP) are chemical indicators or signals inside your body. It elevates only if there is something infectious or inflammation going on. High C-reactive protein is an alarming condition. High levels are mostly associated with chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and SLE.

The levels of CRP can also be raised in your body due to high cholesterol and fat intake, like consuming a lot of fried food and processed food. So a high CRP level gives your body a signal to start eating healthy and add some nutrients and supplements in your diet that help with reducing the inflammation. 

Often times only a single blood test is used to check the level of CRP in your body. Most of the people with some heart health-related issues have their CRP levels checked regularly. As the chronic increase in the  CRP levels can lead to heart disease. 

What Is C-Reactive Protein (CRP)?

CRP stands for C-reactive protein. In 1930, it was first discovered by Tillett and Francis. So back then scientists wanted to figure out what is going on with people who are having pnemococcus infection. They find out there's a protein that is reacting with the outer shell (capsule) of that bacteria. Thus named it C-reactive protein.

It is synthesized by the liver.  It is a marker of inflammation. It rises in response to any inflammation happening inside your body. So basically it acts like a red flag, sending a warning that infection has started.

What's great about CRP is that it acts as a primary offender. As soon as you body sense something offending it starts to rise.. It's not a single best diagnostic tool to tell what type of infection or where the infection basically lies. Your primary care physician may not rely on CRP to find out infection, it will be performed alongside other tests to get a clear picture. It's just an indicator that your body has started to fight back infection. 

Its levels rise very quickly in the blood in response to infection, but they also decline fast if the infection is gone. Persistently raised levels of CRP are an indicator of a chronic condition or something more serious.

Why Is CRP Important?

CRP does not only act as a pro-inflammatory marker but it also has an anti-inflammatory property. It recognizes foreign body and damages it by binding to its surface. It helps you to be aware of what's going on inside your body.CRP can increase up to 1000-fold when your body is fighting against an acute infection.

You can check your CRP levels every month to get more insights on your health and wellness. CRP level not only increases in diseases or chronic health conditions, it can also increase when our body is under inflammation. So whenever there is something wrong in your body, like a fever, or an allergic reaction, your CRP levels can increase. 

Also, eating a lot of fried or processed food can also increase the level of these proteins in your body. So lowering the level of CRP in your blood should be a target to reach better health outcomes. 

What Causes an Increase in CRP levels?

There are many conditions that can cause an increase in CRP such as 

• Appendicitis

• Cholecysytitis

• Pancreatitis

• Menngitis 

• SLE

• Rheumatoid arthritis 

• Trauma

High C-reactive protein  has also been used in the prognosis of various heart conditions such as

• Atherosclerotic heart diseases

• Congestive heart failure

• Mycocraditis

• ATrial fibrillation

• Aortic valve disease

How MedX Pharmacy Helps?

MedX pharmacy has been an incredible source of a variety of immune boosting products. These can help you combat infection and decrease the level of high C-reactive protein. Med X pharmacy has made it easier for you to grab everything you need to boost your immune system.

Increasing your immunity is just one click away. MedX pharmacy provides a wide range of anti-inflammatory products. So adding nutrients and supplements in your diet that help decrease the CRP levels in your body can do wonders for your health. The following supplements have shown great effects in reducing the levels of CRP in your body. 

Vitamin C Supplements

Vitamin C supplements have shown to decrease CRP levels in your blood. As this protein blocks your vessels supplying to the heart, it's important in people with heart disease. Taking Vitamin C daily has shown great benefits in decreasing CRP levels and maintaining your heart health.

B-Complex

Vitamin B complex and folic acid both have shown great health benefits in making your body get rid of inflammation. Vitamin B complex contains all types of vitamin B, including the folic acid, and helps in decreasing the CRP levels in your body. Med x pharmacy offers Vitamin supplementsthat help boost your immunity and increase antioxidant levels in your body.

Turmeric

Turmeric acts like an antioxidant and has a lot of health benefits. It helps in reducing the inflammation in your body. Med X Pharmacy have different turmeric supplements that have anti-inflammatory properties and help boost your immunity. These supplements help with your cardiovascular health by decreasing inflammation in your body. 

Omega 3

Omega 3 is widely used due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Omega 3 is a fish oil supplement that helps in reducing inflammation and maintaining your overall cardiovascular health.

Garlic

Garlic helps reboost your cardiovascular health, by decreasing overall inflammation in your body. Garlic oil supplements help in decreasing CRP levels and boosting your immunity. Med X contains special Garlic oil supplements that are easy to consume and enrich your body with antioxidants.

What is the normal level of CRP? And how high CRP levels are dangerous?

Level of CRP can vary depending on various conditions. CRP levels are measured in mg/dl.

Following levels will help you interpret the lab values of CRP.

• If CRP level is less than 0.3mg/ld—Normal value

• If CRP levels are between 0.3mg/dl to 1mg/dl —Minor elevation seen in obesity, pregnancy, depression, diabetes, common cold, gingivitis, periodontitis, sedentary lifestyle, cigarette smoking, and genetic polymorphism.

• If CRP levels are between 1mg/dl to 10mg/dl –moderate elevation seen in Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, malignancies. Myocardial infarction, pancreatitis, and bronchitis.

• If CRP levels are greater than 10mg/dl –it is seen in severe bacterial infection, viral infection, and severe trauma.

• More than 50mg/dl is seen with acute bacterial infection.

How to prepare myself for the CRP test?

Basically there is nothing special you can do. You just have to be in a fasting state. Phelobtomist does the main thing. You just need to sit on a chair, your nurse will clean the area where the vein is visible to collect the blood sample. After the nurse has taken enough blood, it would remove the needle. And put a cotton swab over it. 

This blog post explains CRP (C-reactive protein) as your body's inflammation alarm. It's produced by the liver and rises when there's infection or disease. Doctors use CRP tests, along with others, to understand what's happening inside you. High CRP can signal various issues, from minor infections to chronic conditions. The post also mentions how places like MedX Pharmacy offer products to support immune health and provides a guide to understanding CRP test results.

Are you ready to boost your immune system? If yes, then Med X pharmacy has a variety of immune supporting products to help you get started today. Whether you are looking for vitamins, minerals, or other immune boosters. MedX pharmacy is here for you. Take the first step today and visit our page and explore a wide range of products.