C-Reactive Protein: A Marker of Inflammation - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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C-Reactive Protein: A Marker of Inflammation

62 Replies

A few good tips... natural ways to reduce C-Reactive protein levels.

ketogenic-diet-resource.com...

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62 Replies
PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

It's all very well reducing the CRP level - but it is the result of an underlying problem not the cause. CRP is only a very general marker of inflammation and can be due to a wide variety of things - including lung problems.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to PMRpro

PS - having now had time to read the article: they are referring to the hs-CRP, relevant to heart disease but a level that is swamped by any CRP produced in response to PMR or GCA.

As for the books shown: 10/10 for the two diabetes books being included (not recommending them though) since the ketogenic diet is the only natural way of managing diabetes simply because it removes carbs which are the problem in diabetes in the first place. But the cancer one? I have an aversion to any book (or any other sort of communication) that claims you can "beat" cancer by diet.

jinasc profile image
jinasc in reply to PMRpro

I am a cynic when I read articles like this, which end up promoting the books. Cynic moi?

🤷 😽

in reply to jinasc

I found the tips and studies interesting... ignored the rest. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sally001 profile image
Sally001 in reply to PMRpro

PMRpro - are you a doctor? I see that you usually override everyone's opinions with your own. Other people do have valid answers as well.

Constance13 profile image
Constance13 in reply to Sally001

Perhaps - re "opinions". PMRpro is just that "a professional" she doesn't bore us with opinions, she uses her medical background to advice/help us at all levels of this pesky illness.

Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell in reply to Constance13

Exactly!x

Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell in reply to Sally001

Pro has more knowledge about pmr than most of us combined so unless you are a rheumatologist and an expert on pmr you may wish to reconsider mouthing off at her. Oh by the way, she does have a medical degree.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Yellowbluebell

Not medical - medical science ...

Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell in reply to PMRpro

Oop sorry. I knew it had medical in it!!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Yellowbluebell

I rejected that option ...

Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell in reply to PMRpro

I never wanted to be one and after seeing the behaviour of all the doctors i have either worked with or had in court i wouldn't want to be one!!

Constance13 profile image
Constance13 in reply to PMRpro

😂 You probably know more than the medics on lots of subjects!!

Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell in reply to Constance13

She probably does and we are lucky enough to have access to that knowledge whichn i know most of us are more than grateful for. I suppose you cant please everyone even when trying to help them. X

in reply to Sally001

If the article is examined properly and the individual studies that are used to "support' the assertions you will find data is 20years old and the other aspects re keto were based on 'severely' obese subjects which is not mentioned fully. These kinds of 'reviews' or 'opinions' online seem to have evidence to support them but are in fact cherry picked to support their own opinion. I have 25 years experience in doing research and research methodology and critical thinking. l have had pmr for over 3 years and have researched pmr and gca everyday since and still don't know as much as pmrpro as forgotten. As a practiced knowledge seeker and disemminator, pmrpro does not reject ideas and theories without fully considering the validity and rigour of the research. If you don't agree then use rational argument rather than insults. Dr poops

in reply to

Just for the record... I never stated or implied that this link was connected to a "scholarly" study or that it had any scientific basis at all. Nor did I endorse/disagree with any of the advertisements, books or links found on the page, or to the Keto related information...

I just thought, it was (in my opinion) a helpful comprehensive list of what, some of us, already know and subscribe to:

Avoid sugars,

Take a multivitamin, that includes 500-1000 mg of Vitamin C.

Make sure all of the B vitamins are included in your multivitamin.

Make sure you consume at least 5000 IU of Vitamin A and 1000 IU of Vitamin D.

Reduce your intake of polyunsaturated fats and transfats.

Take CoQ10 Supplements.

Choose high fat dairy products over soy milk or low fat dairy products.

That's all it was... a list of TIPS, to possibly help us reduce inflammation. Not a cure for PMR. Not an endorsement of Keto. Not an affirmation of any of the related studies. Not a panacea for anything... just a list of possibly helpful 'tips.'

in reply to PMRpro

Just thought it offered a few good tips... wasn't suggesting as panacea for GCA (or anything else). Figure it can't hurt trying to reduce inflammation, just in general, regardless of the underlying cause. 🤷🏻‍♀️

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

That is fine - but why not comment that on the original post?

in reply to PMRpro

I'm sorry, I didn't think it was necessary to qualify/justify my posts with a disclaimer or to include my personal 'opinion' of any article/post... I believe most people are clever enough read something like that (or any of the articles I post, really) and take from them what they want... while ignoring the rest.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

If that were the case I'm wasting my time writing things in people-English rather than medic-speak! ;)

Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell in reply to

A lot of the articles you post contain medical terms and no matter how intelligent people are it doesnt mean they will be able to understand this. I have two degrees but quite readily admit some medical articles require more effort than they are worth with my pred effected brain. Those people who understand medical terms can quite easily find these articles themselves if they so wish. As for the books that were linked to your post, you chosing to ignore the link would suggest you thought they were of no worth, so why not just say you were not supporting them. If you have an opinion on the books whether it be for or against them, i cant see why you would be worried about people knowing that view.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

A few good tips - which maybe we already knew - followed by a sales pitch.

However our CRP is caused by our illnesses, but it would be nice if the dark chocolate worked instead of Pred.

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady

I keep trying.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane

🍫 does the spirit good ... if not the waistline!

Telian profile image
Telian in reply to DorsetLady

A ‘little’ of something you fancy can do you good.......

Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell in reply to DorsetLady

My waistline disappeared under a deluge of chocolate quite a few months ago. Somewhere around advent calendar time last year!!

Constance13 profile image
Constance13 in reply to Yellowbluebell

Oh oh (or should that be "ho ho ho") be careful, very careful, it's that time of year again!!

Rugger profile image
Rugger in reply to SheffieldJane

Me too! 25g of Aldi's best every day!

Louisepenygraig profile image
Louisepenygraig in reply to Rugger

Aldi's is good isn't it.

in reply to DorsetLady

Sorry you found the info redundant... I like reading the studies... and just ignore the sales pitch.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to

I didn’t say I found it redundant.

in reply to DorsetLady

Sorry, I saw, "which maybe we already knew, " and assumed that perhaps you felt the post was unnecessary. My mistake.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to

Not unnecessary - if you find a link interesting or informative then post it. I very often do. Sometimes it’s new information. very often it’s reinforcing what we MAY already know - or maybe not!

BethandHoney2017 profile image
BethandHoney2017

Is it wrong that the thing that I took away was eat dark chocolate? 🤣 Ok off to Waitrose right now! No I know many of the other suggestions are good just as a general healthy way to live.

in reply to BethandHoney2017

Nope... I think that is perfectly acceptable! At least you (and I ) took "one" thing away and will follow through on it! Good on YOU!!! ...

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to

I only eat the very best darkest chocolate now. And, boringly, a single square is enough so I probably don't even get enough of the good anti-oxidants. But then there are good anti-oxidants in tea and I drink plenty of that!

Rimmy profile image
Rimmy

I just WISH the 20 gms of dark chocolate every few days could be 50 gms of milk chocolate every (maybe second ?) day - preferably with coconut added - just call me 'Ms Greedy'. This sounds like generally good advice however - I mean the ketogenic stuff - although I am often struggling with just the low carb cf. VERY 'low' or 'no' carb versions of an 'anti-inflammatory' diet. But thanks for this M. always great to read anything you so generously post. X

in reply to Rimmy

Hahahahahahaha! 50 gm of milk chocolate every second day, with coconut?

COUNT ME IN!!!!

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to

🤣

Maisie1958 profile image
Maisie1958 in reply to

Got to love a Bounty Bar🥰!

And they do them in dark chocolate too xxx

teesher profile image
teesher in reply to

I wish a catering sized vanilla cheesecake was all we needed..

in reply to teesher

Yes that would be wonderful!!!!! Mmmmmmmmm

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Rimmy

Sadly that won't work! Only the best, darkest chocolate, or the anti-oxidants aren't available to you.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to HeronNS

However:

cbc.ca/news/technology/heal...

On the other hand I see a big downside. Sweet milk chocolate doesn't satisfy the craving for more chocolate like dark chocolate does. So the tendency to overindulge in a sweet treat will still be there.

Rimmy profile image
Rimmy in reply to HeronNS

I know that small detail of course - thanks Heron - that is why I 'wish' ......

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Rimmy

If wishes were horses beggars would ride ... :(

WOW! I am so sorry to hear this.... that's awful!!!!!

Marijo1951 profile image
Marijo1951

Am I the only person who is so weak-willed that it's extremely difficult to stick to 20 grams of chocolate? If I have a small taste, even if I eat it slowly and savour it mindfully as one is recommended, I want a lot more... I suppose if I thought about it as medicine it might help, but no - who am I trying to kid? I do my best to avoid it altogether, not always successfully sad to say!

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Marijo1951

I can do it with anything 70% or more cocoa, like the Lindt bars. If I get the underlying bitter flavour of real chocolate instead of only the overpowering flavour of sugar, that's what satisfies.

in reply to Marijo1951

No... you are not!!!!

Highlandtiger profile image
Highlandtiger in reply to Marijo1951

I normally have no difficulty in avoiding chocolate - it’s not really something I crave - but after reading all these posts earlier this afternoon I found myself strangely drawn to the chocolate section in M+S where I was shopping half an hour ago.

I restricted myself to a small bar of 72% dark stuff but it’s something I genuinely never normally do! I blame you all! 😂

in reply to Highlandtiger

🤣

KellyInTexas profile image
KellyInTexas in reply to Highlandtiger

You will be getting a lump of coal in your stocking this Christmas!

( you should definitely double check it though... just to make sure it isn’t actually dark bitter chocolate...in disguise!) 😂

Are these hr-CRP Levels available in the U.K.?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

I think they are reported - but are only significant in otherwise healthy patients with a normal level CRP - CRP is raised in inflammatory conditions so that swamps the tiny change that is meaningful as a monitor for heart disease.

in reply to PMRpro

Thanks

Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell in reply to PMRpro

So does this make it totally irrelevant for someone like me who literally only has pmr and dodgy shoulders to worry about?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Yellowbluebell

Probably - though the keto diet is one way of losing that weight you mentioned and reducing the risk of pred-induced diabetes ;)

Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell in reply to PMRpro

I have looked a the keto way of eating and it does sound like the way to go. Will have a proper read of some books i saw on kindle.

Cyclegirl54 profile image
Cyclegirl54 in reply to Yellowbluebell

I think PMRPro’s thoughts in reply to another post regarding low carb can apply to doing a ketogenic regime. Ditch the processed stuff, keep added sugars at bay, eat above ground veg, include good fats. Best wishes everyone 🌸

Suet3942 profile image
Suet3942

Thanks for the info Melissa. Very interesting. X

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Thank You

MrsN

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