C-REACTIVE PROTEIN
By Dr. Robert F. Moore, N.M.D., C.N.C.
C-Reactive
Protein--Let's "C" What We Can Do
Many of us have elevated levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP). This is
likely to be true of nearly any age group. CRP is produced by the liver
in response to inflammation, which can be triggered by a wide variety of
health problems, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis
and infections such as pneumonia.
Beyond being a reliable indication that the body is experiencing some type of crisis, elevated CRP has been shown to be an aggravating factor in creating blood clots that commonly lead to strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular events.
Now for the good news: There’s a very good chance that you are already taking a vitamin supplement that may help reduce CRP levels. The question is: Are you taking enough?
C-ing into the Future?
Recently researchers from the University of California (UC), Berkeley,
reported on a study that examined the effect of antioxidant supplements on
CRP levels. The 160 subjects who participated in the study all had
detectable CRP concentrations, but none had high levels and none were
diagnosed with an acute illness. All of the subjects were smokers or were
regularly exposed to second-hand smoke. Researchers divided the subjects
into three groups: one group received 515 mg of Vitamin C each day; one
group received an antioxidant “cocktail” combining Vitamin C, alpha-lipoic
acid, and Vitamin E (a mix of alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol and mixed
tocotrienols); and a third group received a placebo.
Researchers took blood samples from each subject before the two-month supplementation period and again when the test period was finished. Analysis of the samples showed that CRP levels rose slightly for the placebo group. Subjects who took the antioxidant mix experienced a small decrease in CRP (just under 5 percent). But in the Vitamin C group, CRP dropped an average of nearly 25 percent.
Researchers couldn’t explain why the antioxidant mix had relatively little effect on CRP while the Vitamin C alone had such a significant effect. But needless to say, if future studies confirm these findings, which the UC team describes as the first of its kind, Vitamin C supplements might eventually be considered part of the standard protocol in addressing elevated CRP.
Don’t Buy the Party Line
Over the past couple of years the
importance of CRP has been steadily emerging on the medical mainstream
radar. In fact, some in the mainstream have even correctly observed that
CRP may be a more important marker for heart disease than LDL
cholesterol. So it comes as no surprise that drug companies are already
positioning some of their products to treat patients with elevated CRP—as many as 25 million Americans by some estimates.
According to a report from Internet Broadcasting Systems (IBS), researchers for AstraZeneca (AZ) are currently testing the effects of their new cholesterol-lowering statin drug Crestor on CRP. This study is titled JUPITER (Justification for the Use of statins in Primary prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin). And the title is revealing: “Justification for the use…” It would seem that the desired conclusion of the study is already written. Now if the results will just cooperate and “justify” the use of statins, the study will provide AZ with a useful marketing tool.
In a side note, the IBS report states that, “there are currently no guidelines to treat high CRP levels.” What they are saying here, of course, is that there are currently no drugs that have been approved to treat high CRP levels. This is a typical mainstream reaction: If we can’t treat it with drugs, there’s nothing we can do.
The reality is that there are several effective ways to address CRP. As the UC study helps illustrate, large doses of Vitamin C have a significant effect on the levels of CRP. In addition, exercise, weight loss and an intake of omega-3 fatty acids have all been associated with reduced levels of CRP.
In any case, a doctor’s first response to elevated CRP should be to find out the cause and address that first. But you and I both know that if a statin drug is ever approved to treat CRP, many doctors will simply put the process on automatic-pilot: Elevated CRP? I’ll write a prescription for a statin drug. You’ll be fine.
Blood Work
The next time you have blood drawn at your
doctor’s office, ask your doctor to make sure your CRP level is measured.
Don’t assume that CRP will automatically be included in the diagnostic
breakdown. From what I understand, many insurance companies currently
don’t include CRP testing as part of the standard array of tests, so you
may have to pay a slight additional charge. I expect this situation will
change as the importance of CRP becomes better known as a critical tool in
assessing risk of chronic health problems. Sadly, the emphasis on
measuring levels of CRP and the coverage of these tests by insurance
companies may also increase when the pharmaceutical companies stand to
profit from your tests coming back high by encouraging the sale of statin
drugs as the protocol for high CRP levels.
Our office can help you get started on the right track. Ask about having your CRP checked. If your levels are elevated, start supplementing with at least 500 mg of a good source of Vitamin C that is beet-derived, not corn-derived. The Vitamin C IV’s at our office are beet-derived, and they can help keep your CRP levels in line. Call and make an appointment if you want to try a Vitamin C supplement and I.V. Sign up for one of our Vitamin C IV. packages and ‘C’ what we can do about your CRP problem.