Inflammation Test

The word ‘inflammation’ comes from the Latin word “inflammare” which means ‘to set on fire’. Traditionally, one associates inflammation with the four cardinal signs – redness, swelling, heat and pain. This is what is known as the classical “acute inflammation”. This happens in response to an injury or an infection by a foreign agent like bacteria, virus, fungus, parasites etc. The body’s defence mechanism is activated and cells and molecules reach the site of injury/infection in order to eliminate the offending agents. Thus, inflammation is necessary to control infections, heal wounds and clear injured tissues and festering sores. Generally, inflammation subsides after the aforementioned goals are achieved. What happens however, when the body’s response does not subside and may not even be against any particular target? That is what is known as chronic inflammation. By definition, chronic inflammation is a response of prolonged duration (weeks or months). Causes of chronic inflammation can include persistent infections, hypersensitivity diseases, prolonged exposure to toxic agents etc. Research now links chronic inflammation with stress, poor lifestyle choices and dietary patterns. If left unchecked, prolonged chronic inflammation starts affecting and attacking healthy cells. Chronic inflammation creates a microenvironment suitable to the development of several complex diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, auto-immune diseases.

C-Reactive Protein or CRP is a protein produced primarily by the liver in response to inflammation. The levels of CRP increase up to a 1000 fold at the site of infection or injury.² CRP has traditionally been used as a marker for infection and cardiovascular diseases.³ Baseline CRP levels can vary according to age, gender, smoking status, weight, lipid levels, and blood pressure but for a standard CRP test, a normal reading is less than 6 milligram per liter (mg/L). A test result showing a CRP level greater than 6 mg/L should be further investigated by a medical practitioner.

Arachidonic Acid (AA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are dietary fatty acids of Omega-6 and Omega-3 type respectively. AA and EPA are precursors to the most important inflammatory mediators (Eicosanoids) and are thus biomarkers for inflammation.^4,5,6 Higher the AA to EPA ratio, greater the likelihood of developing chronic and lifestyle diseases such as Diabetes, Heart Disease, Asthma, Alzheimer’s, Autoimmune diseases and CKD. ⁷ The recommended optimal level of AA to EPA ratio is less than 3:1. ⁷ An effective dietary intervention to reduce AA in the body is through a reduced intake of dietary animal sources—meat, eggs, dairy—or to reduce the intake of plant oils and grains rich in Linoleic acid.

The test results will indicate whether your CRP and AA/EPA levels are in the reference range. AA/EPA ratio is an indicator of dietary inflammation and may be corrected through dietary interventions including increased intake of food rich in Omega-3 or Omega-3 supplementation. CRP is a non specific marker of inflammation and might be transiently elevated due to a recent infection, illness or trauma and it is recommended that you repeat the CRP test after a month. If your levels are elevated after the retest too, you must share your results with your healthcare provider and discuss potential steps.

Chronic Inflammation is related to a myriad of health problems, as represented in the diagram below
Source: Fighting Inflammation, Harvard Special Health Report