Chronically high inflammation is an epidemic in America, and unlike acute inflammation which produces pain, chronic inflammation is typically just below the perception of pain, so most people don’t even realize they have it. This is problematic because inflammation can silently attack all of the cells in your organs, and over time, enough organ damage can be done to produce chronic disease. In fact, chronic inflammation is the source of the most common diseases in America, and it increases the risk for heart disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, asthma, and other respiratory diseases; cancer, obesity, irritable bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, arthritis and more.
C Reactive Protein - The Inflammation Marker
C reactive protein, or CRP, is a type of protein that is made by your liver and sent into your bloodstream in response to inflammation. If CRP levels are high it indicates the presence of inflammation in the body. A blood test can be done in order to assess your CRP levels and risk for the above diseases and it is highly recommended for smokers, heavy drinkers, obese people, and anyone with a family history of heart disease.
You can also gauge your CRP levels by answering yes or no to the following questions:
- Are you overweight?
- Are you currently taking cholesterol-lowering drugs or hypertension drugs?
- Are you groggy when you awake?
- Do you battle with fatigue throughout the day, despite an adequate amount of sleep?
- Do you constantly crave carbohydrates or sugar?
- Do you smoke or drink heavily?
- Do you have brittle fingernails?
- Do you have joint pain or stiffness?
- Do you have a low-grade fever regularly?
- Do you have allergies or asthma with symptoms that seem to be getting progressively worse?
If you answered yes to 3 or more of the above questions, it is indicative that your CRP levels, and consequently, your inflammation levels, are dangerously high. In this case, you may benefit from a thermography test, which is a screening procedure that uses an infrared camera to measure differences in body parts. This is helpful because it will help you determine the location of any problem that may have developed as a result of the inflammation.
6 Steps for Lowering CRP and Inflammation Levels
Step #1: Optimize the Health of Your Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands produce cortisol, which is the most powerful inflammation-reducing substance in the body. When the adrenal glands become exhausted from things such as high stress and a poor diet, they stop producing enough cortisol, and inflammation becomes rampant as a result. Regular sleeping patterns, stress reduction techniques (such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing or simply being in nature), and caffeine and sugar-free diet, will all help to optimize your adrenal health.
It’s worth noting that lifestyle modifications alone, is rarely enough to restore optimal adrenal function in those with adrenal fatigue. As such, if you experience 3 or more of the following adrenal fatigue symptoms you will likely benefit from supplemental support: chronic fatigue, brain fog, energy levels that rise at nighttime, sleep problems, a sugar intolerance, dry skin, salty food cravings, an inability to handle stress, a weakened immune system. Adrenal DMG contains adrenal cortex and a dozen other nutrients proved to support and restore adrenal health, and reduce inflammation. It also contains dimethylglycine (a derivative of the amino acid glycine), which helps to reduce oxidative stress and to lower inflammation by nourishing your body during times of stress.
Step #2: Support Your Liver
A healthy liver is essential for managing inflammation because it’s required in order to properly metabolize and eliminate toxins. When the liver is sluggish, it causes a build-up of toxins in the body, which in turn, causes inflammation levels to rise. To optimize liver health, try starting off your day with a warm glass of lemon water, this will gently stimulate and cleanse the liver. A liver-supporting supplement such as Liv-D-Tox is also beneficial; it contains a potent proprietary blend of liver supporting, inflammation-fighting nutrients including turmeric, astragalus, asparagus, pomegranate extract, ginger, and Silymarin.
Step #3: Consume an Anti-Inflammatory, Wholefoods-Based Diet:
An anti-inflammatory diet is essential when it comes to reducing inflammation and your risk for chronic disease. In fact, studies have found a noticeable reduction in inflammation levels after just 30 days on a modified diet. A wholefood, organic, plant-based diet that is high in raw fruits and vegetables, is the ideal diet for lowering inflammation. The “Simply Healthy Cookbook,” contains tons of delicious and easy to prepare recipes, and it can help you make this dietary transition without any feelings of deprivation.
The following foods are considered particularly helpful for lowering inflammation and should be consumed regularly: cherries, berries, oranges, dark leafy greens, broccoli, asparagus, sweet potatoes, beets, walnuts, almonds, flaxseeds, and probiotic-rich foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, yogurt, etc.). Also, aim for at least 30 grams of fiber a day and consume a wide range of spices. Although almost all spices have anti-inflammatory properties, cloves, ginger, rosemary, and turmeric are especially potent inflammation fighters. For added CRP lowering support consider making green smoothies and taking a high quality, wholefoods derived supplement. Slim Blend Pro is made from over 50 whole superfoods, and it contains 8 grams of fiber and 12 grams of protein per serving, plus a healthy dose of gut-healing probiotics.
Step #4: Eliminate Pro-Inflammatory Foods
Eliminate the following biggest inflammation triggers from your diet -- sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and vegetable oils. You should also vastly reduce or eliminate the following pro-inflammatory foods: dairy, meat, artificial sweeteners and additives, wheat products, gluten, and anything that is fried, refined or processed. Finally, many people have food intolerances that they are not aware of because the symptoms vary widely and can be delayed up to 72 hours after the consumption of the intolerant food. Consuming foods that you are intolerant to will cause your immune system to go into a frenzy, and markedly increase inflammation and disease risk. If you experience acne, chronic fatigue, sleep problems, strong food cravings, foggy thinking, fast heartbeat, digestive issues, or chronic respiratory symptoms (and other diseases have been ruled out), there is a high likelihood that you have food sensitivities. An elimination diet under the supervision of a healthcare professional is the best way to identify possible food sensitivities.
Step #5: Modify Your Lifestyle
In addition to the above recommendations, you should also work out regularly, and incorporate both strength training and cardiovascular exercises. Getting out in nature is also beneficial, and walking barefoot on the ground is recommended. Also, aim for at least 15 minutes of daily sunlight (or use a sunlamp) in order to optimize vitamin D levels, and make any modifications necessary in order to keep stress levels low.
Make sure to practice proper sleep hygiene, which includes sleeping at least 8 hours a night, keeping electronics out of the bedroom, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, and sleeping in a slightly cool, pitch black, silent environment. If you find it hard to relax and sleep at night, consider a natural supplement with relaxant properties such as Stay Young AM. In addition to helping promote a good night’s sleep, Stay Young AM also provides potent antioxidants to fight inflammation-causing-free radicals and to help protect your cells from disease-causing damage.
Step #6: Consider Taking Nutraceuticals for Added Support
Testro Vida Pro contains a proprietary blend of nutrients (including the potent anti-inflammatory herb Cordyceps Sinensis), that help to reduce toxic, pro-inflammatory estrogens and to boost free testosterone levels. This is beneficial because testosterone helps to modulate the inflammation process and studies have found a link between higher testosterone levels and lower inflammation.
Stay Young AM Chewable contains a blend of herbs, potent antioxidants, and other nutrients that increase the production of nitric oxide (NO) in your body. This is beneficial because NO plays a key role in proper immune system function and it regulates the growth, activity, and death of inflammatory cells. Healthy NO levels also help to expand the blood vessels, increase blood flow, decrease plaque growth, and prevent blood clots, and thereby reduces the risk for atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke.
H2 hydrogen therapy is a ground-breaking, and powerful new therapy that has over 500 published papers, confirming its potent health-promoting properties. H2 plays a major role in reducing free radical damage in the body, in lowering inflammation, in boosting the immune system, in slowing down the aging process and in helping to both prevent and heal numerous diseases. Best of all, it does so safely, without any negative side-effects.