Définition
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker produced by the liver in response to IL-6 signaling. It is one of the most widely measured inflammation biomarkers and a sensitive indicator of systemic inflammatory load, infection, and cardiovascular risk.
CRP is an acute phase protein — one of a set of proteins whose plasma concentrations increase in response to inflammation, infection, or tissue injury. It is produced by hepatocytes (liver cells) in response to interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling, typically rising within 4–6 hours of an inflammatory trigger and peaking at 36–50 hours.
For clinical evaluation, high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) is the preferred measurement for cardiovascular risk and longevity assessment. Standard CRP testing has a detection limit around 5–6 mg/L; hs-CRP can detect concentrations as low as 0.01 mg/L, making it useful for identifying the low-grade chronic inflammation relevant to longevity and aging assessment.
Optimal hs-CRP for longevity: below 1.0 mg/L. Values between 1–3 mg/L indicate intermediate risk; above 3 mg/L indicates high inflammatory burden. Values above 10 mg/L typically indicate acute infection or injury rather than chronic inflammaging.
In women, estrogen modulates CRP production. Post-menopausal women show higher hs-CRP than pre-menopausal women of similar age, directly linked to the loss of estrogen's anti-inflammatory suppression of NF-κB.
Diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management are the primary modifiable drivers of hs-CRP. Omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin with piperine, sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts, and polyphenol-rich diets have the most consistent evidence for reducing CRP.
Ava Longevity · Built on the Ava Method · MMXXV