Définition
hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a refined CRP test that detects low-grade chronic inflammation that standard CRP testing misses. It is the most practical bloodwork marker of inflammaging and a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular events and biological aging.
While standard CRP testing measures inflammation in the 5–10 mg/L range (appropriate for detecting acute infection), hs-CRP can measure down to 0.1 mg/L — the range relevant to chronic low-grade inflammation and longevity. The same molecule is being measured; the difference is assay sensitivity.
The clinical significance of hs-CRP in longevity is substantial. It is one of the strongest independent predictors of cardiovascular events — in the JUPITER trial, hs-CRP above 2 mg/L identified high-risk individuals who benefited from intervention even with "normal" LDL. It correlates with epigenetic age acceleration, insulin resistance, depression risk, and all-cause mortality.
Target ranges: optimal below 1.0 mg/L; intermediate risk 1–3 mg/L; high risk above 3 mg/L. Values above 10 mg/L typically indicate acute infection or injury and the test should be repeated after resolution for a chronic-state measurement.
Factors that elevate hs-CRP include: visceral adiposity (each pound of visceral fat contributes measurable inflammatory tone), insulin resistance, gut dysbiosis, chronic infections (including dental), sleep deprivation, psychological stress, smoking, and certain medications. In women, oral estrogen raises hs-CRP (transdermal does not), oral hormonal contraceptives modestly elevate it, and post-menopausal women show higher baseline hs-CRP than pre-menopausal.
Interventions that lower hs-CRP most reliably: weight loss (particularly visceral fat), regular exercise, omega-3 supplementation (2–3g EPA+DHA daily typically reduces hs-CRP 20–30%), curcumin with piperine, polyphenol-rich diets (Mediterranean-style), and addressing any identified sources (periodontal inflammation, SIBO). hs-CRP is responsive to intervention — rechecking every 3–6 months provides useful feedback.
Ava Longevity · Built on the Ava Method · MMXXV