C-Reactive Protein, a Known Risk Factor

C-reactive protein, abbreviated CRP, is produced in the liver and released into the bloodstream when there is inflammation in the body.[1] It can be measured in the blood, and is a known risk factor for many common diseases. Unfortunately, the blood test does not pinpoint where the inflammation is coming from or what is causing it.

Research shows that people with high CRP concentrations are more likely to develop heart attacks, strokes and severe peripheral vascular disease.[2]   Research also shows that people with elevated levels of CRP are at an increased risk of diabetes.[3][4]

An elevated level of CRP can be observed in people with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.[5]

The normal concentration of CRP in a healthy person’s blood serum is usually lower than 10 mg/L. This number increases slightly with aging. Levels of 10–40 mg/L are found in women during late pregnancy and in people with mild inflammation and viral infections. Active inflammation and bacterial infection bring the level up from 40–200 mg/L. Severe bacterial infections and burns may bring the level to greater than 200 mg/L.[6]

Fortunately for us, it is possible to lower CRP. There are both, natural methods and pharmaceutical drugs that will the job. However, I suggest the natural approach because anti-inflammatory drugs are known to have many unhealthy side effects. The natural approach usually yields positive effects such as increased vitality.

Diet plays a major role in the elevation of CRP. A study was done on over 700 nurses. They split the group into four segments. Those in the group with the highest trans-fat consumption had blood levels of CRP that were 73% higher than those in the group with the lowest trans-fat consumption.[7]  Saturated fats have also been shown to raise CRP.

Hidden food allergies are a common cause of elevated levels of CRP.  Foods to avoid include refined glutinous flour products, refined sugars and processed food.

Bacterial infections, viral infections, obesity, stress, cigarette smoking, lack of exercise, toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides [8] and mold spores have also been associated with elevated levels of CRP.

There are healthy nutritional supplements that have been shown to lower CRP. Omega 3 fats are highly anti-inflammatory. The cleanest source of omega 3 is DHA from algae oil.

You can also add turmeric to your diet. In Italy, there was a three-month trial with 50 people. A team of researchers were investigating the effect of treating people who had arthritis with an oral turmeric extract called curcumin.  After 90 days, blood tests showed a 16-fold decline in C-reactive protein levels.[9]

To sum it up, I suggest the consumption of a plant based diet composed primarily of unprocessed whole food, avoiding the unhealthy fats and the common allergenic foods, gentle but regular exercise and the practice of stress reduction techniques.

Regardless of how you feel, studies show that it is important for everyone to be sure that their CRP level is not elevated. Many researchers now believe that knowing your CRP level is more important than knowing your cholesterol level.

[1] Pepys MB, Hirschfield GM (June 2003). "C-reactive protein: a critical update". J. Clin. Invest. 111 (12): 1805–12. doi:10.1172/JCI18921.PMC 161431PMID 12813013.

[2]- Clearfield MB (September 2005). "C-reactive protein: a new risk assessment tool for cardiovascular disease". The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 105 (9): 409–16. PMID 16239491.

[3] Pradhan AD, Manson JE, Rifai N, Buring JE, Ridker PM (July 2001). "C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, and risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus".JAMA 286 (3): 327–34. doi:10.1001/jama.286.3.327. PMID 11466099.

[4] Dehghan A, Kardys I, de Maat MP, Uitterlinden AG, Sijbrands EJ, Bootsma AH, Stijnen T, Hofman A, Schram MT, Witteman JC (March 2007). "Genetic variation, C-reactive protein levels, and incidence of diabetes". Diabetes 56(3): 872–8. doi:10.2337/db06-0922. PMID 17327459.

 [5]-Liu S, Ren J, Xia Q, Wu X, Han G, Ren H, Yan D, Wang G, Gu G, Li J (May 2013). "Preliminary Case-control Study to Evaluate Diagnostic Values of C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Differentiating Active Crohn's Disease From Intestinal Lymphoma, Intestinal Tuberculosis and Behcet's Syndrome". Am. J. Med. Sci. 346 (6): 467–72.doi:10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3182959a18.PMID 23689052

[6] Clyne B, Olshaker JS (1999). "The C-reactive protein". J Emerg Med 17 (6): 1019–25. doi:10.1016/S0736-4679(99)00135-3. PMID 10595891.

[7]  Lopez-Garcia E, Schulze MB, Meigs JB, Manson JE, Rifai N, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC, Hu FB (March 2005). "Consumption of trans fatty acids is related to plasma biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction". J. Nutr.135 (3): 562–6. PMID 15735094.

[8] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22509446

[9] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20657536

 

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How to Grow Strong Healthy Nails

Our nails can reflect our general state of health. No one wants to have weak brittle nails. Yet having brittle nails, also known as onychorrhexis, is a very common condition affecting approximately 20 percent of the population and is more common in women.[1]

Human fingernails and toenails are primarily composed of a protein called keratin and also contain an array of minerals. Keratin is an extremely strong protein.

Like other proteins, keratin is composed of amino acids. Keratin has large amounts of the sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine. Cysteine is required for giving nails their strength and rigidity.[2]

The mineral composition of a human nail includes: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, sodium, sulphur and zinc. A deficiency in any one of these minerals can affect the health and growth of our nails.[3]

Aside from having a deficiency in the building blocks of nails, brittle nails can be caused by a variety of different things some of which include: chronic dehydration, a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids and a biotin deficiency. [4]

Several chronic health conditions can also cause brittle nails, including: anorexia, bulimia, iron deficiency anemia, and underactive thyroid.[5] Furthermore, psoriasis has been linked to brittle nails. Brittle nails can even be a side effect of certain pharmaceutical medications.

And let’s not overlook the fact that nails which are excessively exposed to water, soap or solvents can also become brittle.

If you are wondering why some of your nails grow slower than the rest, there is no need to worry. In humans, the nail of the index finger may grow faster than that of the little finger and fingernails may grow up to four times faster than toenails.[6]

Provided you do not have a medical condition, keeping well-nourished with all the building blocks that nails need can result in strong healthy nails. A balanced diet composed primarily of a variety of unprocessed whole food is a great start.

To take your nails to the next level try supplementing your diet with a high quality protein powder, a good multi mineral complex, biotin and omega-3 fatty acids.

[1] Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0

[2] http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-keratin.htm

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20620759  

[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8477615

[5[ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0

[6]  Ravosa, Matthew J.; Dagosto, Marian (2007). Primate origins: adaptations and evolution. Springer. pp. 389–90. ISBN 0-387-30335-9
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