| You might disagree, but hear me out on | | | | methods for reducing C-reactive protein have |
| this...The drug companies know what they want | | | | been proven by scientists to be as good as or |
| you to think. They want you to think that the | | | | better than drug therapy at combating |
| only reliable predictor for heart disease is | | | | C-reactive protein.Diet--Healthnotes Newswire |
| an elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) | | | | reported the conclusions of one study that |
| cholesterol level, and the best way to | | | | showed that making several positive changes |
| decrease your risk to take "statin" drugs | | | | to one's diet could significantly reduce |
| such as Zocor and Lipitor. | | | | C-reactive protein levels. Adding plant |
| Cholesterol-reducing medications are among | | | | sterols, insoluble fiber, soy protein, and |
| the highest-grossing pharmaceutical products | | | | almonds to the low-fat, vegetarian diets of |
| ever, so drug companies want to lead you to | | | | test subjects helped reduce C-reactive |
| their medications. But an elevated | | | | protein levels by 28 percent more than a |
| LDL-cholesterol level is not the only | | | | control group fed a low-fat, vegetarian |
| predictor of heart disease. It's not even the | | | | diet.Other studies have found links between |
| best predictor--that honor goes to a little | | | | increased consumption of whole grains and |
| known test that looks for elevated levels of | | | | reduced C-reactive protein levels. These |
| C-reactive protein.What is C-reactive | | | | studies show that subjects who ate more |
| protein?C-reactive protein is produced by the | | | | simple carbohydrates had higher C reactive |
| body during times of inflammation. Doctors | | | | protein levels than subjects who ate more |
| are not exactly sure why some people have | | | | complex carbs.Supplementation--Vitamin and |
| elevated C reactive protein and others have | | | | mineral supplements have also shown to be an |
| normal levels, but they do know that high C | | | | inexpensive, effective weapon against |
| reactive protein is linked to higher rates of | | | | C-reactive protein.Niacin--Niacin is a |
| heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and | | | | B-complex vitamin that works so well to lower |
| sudden cardiac death.Traditional doctors | | | | cholesterol and C-reactive protein that it is |
| agree that a test for C-reactive protein is a | | | | regulated by the FDA and available by doctors |
| better measure of a person's risk for heart | | | | in prescription strengths. Consumers can also |
| disease than cholesterol. The New England | | | | buy high-quality B-complex vitamins, which |
| Journal of Medicine reported in November of | | | | have many other benefits, from any health |
| 2002 that elevated C reactive protein | | | | food store.Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin |
| predicts cardiovascular problems better than | | | | E--Supplementing with vitamin E will reduce |
| elevated LDL-cholesterol. The American Heart | | | | your C-reactive protein levels and enhance |
| Association agrees.How Is Elevated C Reactive | | | | your health. Scientists have recently proven |
| Protein Determined?The test to determine | | | | that combining vitamin E supplementation with |
| C-reactive protein levels is quite simple. A | | | | coenzyme Q10 is even more effective, and can |
| blood sample is taken, and the sample is | | | | reduce C-reactive protein levels by as much |
| analyzed in the laboratory. It's a test | | | | as 30 percent.ConclusionsIt's still a good |
| that's neither expensive nor invasive.Even | | | | idea to make the diet and lifestyle changes |
| though doctors agree that C-reactive protein | | | | that will lower your LDL-cholesterol levels. |
| is such a powerful predictor for heart | | | | Reducing your intake of trans and saturated |
| disease, the simple test is not often offered | | | | fats will help you live a longer life. If |
| to patients. Why? They don't ask for it. | | | | you're concerned about your risk of coronary |
| Commercial advertising (supported by | | | | disease, though, focus on you C-reactive |
| pharmaceutical companies who make money from | | | | protein levels. Ask your doctor for a blood |
| lowering people's cholesterol levels) leads | | | | test to determine your level of C-reactive |
| patients to ask their doctors to prescribe | | | | protein. If it's high, talk to your physician |
| cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. They | | | | about using diet and exercise, along with |
| rarely ask about C-reactive protein tests and | | | | nutritional supplementation, to lower your |
| remedies because it's not a big-money | | | | C-reactive protein levels and your risk of |
| business.What Home Remedies Treat High C | | | | heart disease.References"Comparison of |
| Reactive Protein?Drug companies that sell | | | | C-Reactive Protein and Low-Density |
| statin drugs know that they could lose money | | | | Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in the |
| if people start worrying more about their | | | | Prediction of First Cardiovascular Events." |
| C-reactive protein levels than they do about | | | | Paul M. Ridker, M.D., Nader Rifai, Ph.D., |
| their LDL-cholesterol levels. They are quick | | | | Lynda Rose, M.S., Julie E. Buring, Sc.D., and |
| to point out that studies show that the same | | | | Nancy R. Cook, Sc.D. The New England Journal |
| drugs used to lower cholesterol will also | | | | of Medicine. 347:1557-1565, Nov. 11, |
| lower C-reactive protein. However, these | | | | 2002."Inflammation, Heart Disease and Stroke: |
| drugs are both expensive and dangerous. | | | | The Role of C-Reactive Protein." Changes Can |
| Muscle reactions have left patients severely | | | | Reduce Cholesterol and C-Reactive Protein as |
| disfigured, and even physicians are | | | | Much as Medication." Ho is editor of both |
| questioning the wisdom and efficacy of | | | | Nutritional Supplement Info Spotlight, and |
| widespread use of statin drugs.Happily, | | | | Beat Your Health Condition which offer |
| natural healing offers many ways to keep | | | | unconventional and unique solutions for |
| C-reactive protein levels in the healthy | | | | common health issues. Claim your FREE |
| range. These methods can be used to lower | | | | subscription to his newsletter now at |
| elevated C reactive protein, or to maintain | | | | Nutritional Supplements Info Newsletter. |
| good heart health. Even better, natural | | | | |