C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an annular, pentameric protein found in blood plasma, synthesized by the liver in response to inflammation. It is a member of the pentraxin family of proteins and serves as a highly sensitive, albeit non-specific, biomarker for systemic inflammation. Elevated levels of CRP are typically observed following acute trauma, infection, or in the presence of chronic inflammatory conditions. In modern metabolic medicine, the High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) test is used to detect even minute elevations that indicate chronic low-grade inflammation, which is a hallmark of obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Dietary factors, particularly the consumption of pro-inflammatory lectins and refined carbohydrates, have been shown to significantly elevate CRP levels. High CRP is closely associated with the accumulation of visceral fat and the development of insulin resistance. By monitoring CRP levels, clinicians can assess the efficacy of dietary interventions; a reduction in this marker often precedes significant weight loss and improvements in metabolic flexibility, signaling that the body is moving out of a defensive, inflammatory state and into a state of repair and fat utilization.