As I’ve told you in the past, uncontrolled and/or excessive inflammation damages the body and leads to chronic disease.
A popular blood test is hs-CRP, which stands for highly sensitive C-reactive protein. The test is a good way to measure the inflammation in your body. It’s inexpensive and very common. Any doctor can issue the lab work.
If it’s high, a recent study shows one of the best ways to reduce inflammation.
The normal range for hs-CRP is less than 3 mg/L. But the healthiest level of inflammation is indicated by an hs-CRP less than 1 mg/L. So please have your doctor check this test at least once a year. And if it’s consistently more than 1 mg/L, it’s in your best interest to do something to bring it down.
A recent study shows that a diet high in polyphenols may be one of the best ways to reduce inflammation.
The researchers examined the effects of various polyphenols on the release of cytokines by our lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are cells that control the immune system. When they’re activated by an immune response, they release messenger molecules called cytokines. And many of these cytokines create inflammation.
So, the researchers evaluated whether specific polyphenols and polyphenol mixtures could decrease the inflammatory cytokine response from activated lymphocytes. Here’s what they found.
They compared 31 polyphenols and six polyphenol mixtures for effects on proinflammatory cytokine release by lymphocytes. They found that the following polyphenols were especially effective at reducing the inflammatory response: resveratrol, isorhamnetin, curcumin, vanillic acid, and certain specific polyphenol mixtures.
If you find that your hs-CRP is high, please take it seriously, even if you feel great. Inflammation is like rust. You might not notice it, but it never sleeps, and it’s always working to break things down. Make sure you eat an abundance of foods and spices rich in polyphenols. As an additional option, consider taking a supplement rich in these polyphenols.
Yours for better health,
Frank Shallenberger, MD
REF: Ford, C.T., S. Richardson, et al. “Identification of (poly)phenol treatments that modulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by human lymphocytes.” Br J Nutr. 2016 May 28;115(10):1699-710.