Calm Your Flames!

Calm Your Flames 🔥 Inflammation in the Body

So, today, health awareness focuses on inflammation in the body, Calm Your Flames. There is a new kid on the block for testing and screening for inflammation in the body.

What you need to know about inflammation: Inflammation is a normal and beneficial process when the body’s white blood cells and chemicals join up to protect you from foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. So, some level of inflammation is good and required for health. Excess inflammation can irritate the tissues, translating into pain, swelling, and redness, often seen in osteoarthritis patients.

However, the inflammatory response often gets out of control. How?

This happens when the immune system triggers an inflammatory response without a real threat. This can easily cause excess inflammation to stay in the body, a condition that is linked to allergies, heart disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, and other severe medical conditions.

You probably know your blood pressure and whether your cholesterol is high, low, or average. But what about your C-RP?

C-reactive protein (C-RP) is a plasma protein produced by the liver in response to acute infection or inflammation. C-reactive protein levels can be measured in your blood. High levels of C-RP are a cause for alarm since its presence can be linked to inflammation, possibly arising from infection, lupus, tuberculosis, heart attack risk, burns, and even cancer.

C-reactive protein is a new marker of inflammation and is directly related to heart disease risk. Learn what your number is and get tested yearly. Since the C-RP test is new, your doctor might not routinely order it, and insurance may not pay for it. According to the American Heart Association, having a C-reactive protein test isn’t recommended for the general population to screen for heart disease risk. Your doctor may check your C-reactive protein level after surgery or treatment for infections or other medical conditions.

Are You at Risk for High C-RP? Seven Factors to Watch for:
1. Overweight
2. You get frequent infections
3. You eat a lot of refined sugars ( some include sugary beverages, desserts, candy, cakes, white bread, pasta)
4. You don’t floss
5. You don’t sleep enough
6. You’re on the Pill
7. You Have chronic allergies
If you meet any of these criteria, your C-reactive protein levels could be too high.

5 Ways to Lower C-RP:
1. Get tested ( your doctor will devise an action plan to reduce high inflammation in your body)
2. Stick to a Mediterranean diet
3. Supplement with vitamin c
4. Increase your fiber
5. Enjoy (some) dark chocolate

Inflammation isn’t your friend; if you think you are at risk for high levels of inflammation in your body, ask about it during your next blood test.  It’s a great time to calm your flames if you learn you have inflammation.