You’re probably familiar with the pain, swelling, redness, and heat that classically signify inflammation. It’s something just about everyone out there has experienced. Inflammation is part of the body’s natural defense system. But there’s an even more dangerous form of inflammation that most people are unaware of and mostly unconcerned with. We’re talking about the deep inflammation that affects your body’s cells and tissues and is a leading cause of most modern aging diseases.

Today we address how to find this hidden symptom, identify it and its root causes, and stop it in its tracks. There is no optimal health with uncontrolled inflammation.

~ Dr. Mark Hyman

CRP: CRP is a general inflammatory marker. hsCRP is specific to cardiovascular health but normal CRP is not specific to any system. Instead, it just tells us that there is inflammation somewhere. Low grade inflammation is a sign of chronic disease and should be addressed. Your doctor needs to dig deeper to find out where an elevation is coming from.

• Normal: 0.0−4.9 mg/L
• Optimal: <0.7 mg/L

Sedimentation Rate (sed rate, ESR): This is a general inflammatory marker. It just tells us there is inflammation somewhere, potentially from an infection, physical injury, autoimmune disorder, toxicity, or other causes of inflammation.

• Normal Male: 0 to 50 years: 0−15 mm/hour, 50 years and older: 0−30 mm/hour
• Normal Female: 0 to 50 years: 0−32 mm/hour, 50 years and older: 0−40 mm/hour

ANA: This is a general autoimmune marker. It does not tell you what type of autoimmunity is present but just that there is an autoimmune process taking place.

• Normal: Negative

Rheumatoid Factor (RF): This is a marker for autoimmunity that is associated with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition of the joints. A negative value does not rule out the possibility of rheumatoid arthritis- in these cases, a Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody test should be run (CCP antibody)

• Normal: negative

Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody: This is a more specific test for rheumatoid arthritis when compared to RF.

• Normal: <20 u/ml

White Blood Cell Count (WBC): This is how many white blood cells your body is making. Our immune system can be thought of as an army. Chronically low levels of WBC tells us that your immune system is not sending enough troops out. This can be an early sign of autoimmunity or infection.

• Normal: 4.5-11 x 103/µL
• Optimal: >5.5 x 103/µL

Additional Tests for Inflammation / Immunity

Omega 3 index complete by Omegaquant

More than 98 percent of Americans are deficient in omega 3 fats. Omega 3 fats help balance out omega 6 fats and regulate our body’s production of anti-inflammatory and inflammatory molecules.

• Normal: 2.9-12.9%
• Optimal: 8-12.9%

Advanced Immune Testing: IGeneX, Labcorp, Quest

If your immune markers come back suboptimal, then further testing can help identify the cause. Your doctor can test for lyme, epstein barr virus, or CMV through most large conventional lab companies. These are chronic infections that may be the root of an immune imbalance.

Mycotoxin test by RealTime Laboratories

Another cause for inflammation and immune system disturbances is mold. 30 to 50% of buildings in the US have mold in them. And if it is not remediated properly then the mold will remain and get worse. According to the EPA in 1985, indoor air quality can be up to 500 times more polluted than outdoor air. There are 200 types of mold that present serious health risks to humans or animals. These harmful species are known as “Toxic Molds” and produce potentially dangerous mycotoxins that can cause many medical conditions and symptoms.

Additional Reading:

How Hidden Food Sensitivities Make You Fat

Wild Fish? Farmed Fish? What Should I Eat?

Guide to Cooking with Oils and Fats

The content in this course has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is provided on the understanding that it does not constitute medical or other professional advice or services. Always work with qualified healthcare practitioner when making changes to your medication, diet or overall healthcare plan.