When most people go to the doctor for a routine physical, they get a cholesterol test that physicians use to evaluate cardiovascular risk. For some individuals, levels of C-reactive protein, or CRP, may also be important. Having high levels of CRP may put you at a higher risk of having a heart attack or other cardiovascular problems. Ask your doctor if a CRP test is appropriate for someone like you.
Purpose
CRP is a type of protein normally found in your blood. CRP levels increase when a part of your body is inflamed. People with coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular problems have narrowed blood vessels and higher levels of inflammation. Thus, doctors use CRP levels as a way to determine whether you are at high risk of heart disease.
Scientific Evidence
Some scientific evidence suggests that you can lower CRP levels -- and your cardiovascular risk -- by making dietary modifications. A study by Christos Pitsavos, a researcher at the University of Athens School of Medicine, found that adhering to a Mediterranean diet reduced the number of people with high CRP levels by 72 percent. The Mediterranean diet is high in fresh, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and plant protein sources. In a 2009 study published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition," researchers at the University of Newcastle in Australia found that eating a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids reduces CRP levels.
Meal Suggestions
To promote lower CRP levels, limit the amount of red meat, saturated fats and processed foods you eat. Follow a Mediterranean diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, beans, nuts, olive oil and fish. For breakfast, eat one or two slices of whole-grain bread with peanut butter and a banana. For lunch or dinner, eat a grilled, skinless chicken breast or fish over brown rice. Make healthy salads with leafy greens, mixed vegetables and seeds. Instead of using a fatty salad dressing, drizzle a small amount of oil and vinegar on your salad. Choose a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit as a snack.
Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into your meals by eating catfish, anchovies, salmon, tuna, mackerel, soy products, walnuts or flaxseed oil. Consider taking a fish oil supplement to boost your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
Considerations
Although changing your eating habits may decrease your cardiovascular risk, diet alone may not be able to lower your CRP levels to a healthy range. Several factors affect CRP levels, including diet, exercise habits, genetics, age and gender. Talk to your doctor about lowering your CRP levels and cardiovascular risk through dietary modification.
References
- "Angiology"; Diet, Exercise and C-Reactive Protein Levels in People with Abdominal Obesity: The ATTICA Epidemiological Study; Christos Pitsavos et al.; April 2007
- Bastyr Center; Diet Affects Cholesterol, C-Reactive Protein, Same as Medication; Maureen Williams
- MayoClinic.com; C-reactive Protein Test: Results; Dec. 2009
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; An Inverse Relationship between Plasma n-3 Fatty Acids and C-Reactive Protein in Healthy Individuals; M. Micallef et al.; April 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid; April 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Mediterranean Diet: Choose This Heart-Healthy Diet Option; June 2010
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