What are the potential causes of elevated C-Reactive Protein levels?
As functional medicine providers, it is important to understand the potential causes of elevated C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels in our patients. CRP is a marker of inflammation in the body, and elevated levels can be indicative of a variety of underlying health issues. In this blog post, we will discuss the potential causes of elevated CRP levels and how to address them.
The most common cause of elevated CRP levels is infection. Infections such as the flu, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections can all cause an increase in CRP levels. In addition, chronic infections such as Lyme disease, HIV, and hepatitis can also cause elevated CRP levels. It is important to identify and treat any underlying infections in order to reduce CRP levels.
In addition to infections, autoimmune diseases can also cause elevated CRP levels. Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Crohn’s disease can all cause an increase in CRP levels. It is important to identify and treat any underlying autoimmune diseases in order to reduce CRP levels.
Other potential causes of elevated CRP levels include obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle. Obesity can cause an increase in CRP levels due to the increased inflammation associated with excess body fat. Smoking can also cause an increase in CRP levels due to the inflammatory chemicals found in cigarettes. Finally, a sedentary lifestyle can cause an increase in CRP levels due to the lack of physical activity.
Finally, certain medications can also cause an increase in CRP levels. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen can cause an increase in CRP levels. In addition, certain cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins can also cause an increase in CRP levels.
As functional medicine providers, it is important to understand the potential causes of elevated CRP levels in our patients. Identifying and treating any underlying infections, autoimmune diseases, obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and medications can help reduce CRP levels. In addition, lifestyle modifications such as increasing physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and quitting smoking can also help reduce CRP levels. By understanding the potential causes of elevated CRP levels, we can help our patients achieve optimal health and wellbeing.
