Chronic inflammation is one of the most talked-about health topics of the last decade — and for good reason. It plays a role in heart disease, autoimmune disorders, metabolic dysfunction, and even cognitive decline. But how do you know if inflammation is quietly running in the background?
That's where C-Reactive Protein (CRP) comes in.
What is CRP?
CRP is a protein produced by your liver in response to inflammation. When your body detects an infection, injury, or chronic inflammatory process, CRP levels rise — sometimes dramatically.
There are two types of CRP tests:
- Standard CRP test: measures general inflammation, often used during acute illness
- High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP): detects very low levels of inflammation, used to assess cardiovascular risk
For most health-conscious individuals, hs-CRP is the one that matters.
What do the numbers mean?
Your hs-CRP result is measured in mg/L:
- Below 1.0 mg/L — Low cardiovascular risk
- 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L — Moderate risk
- Above 3.0 mg/L — Higher risk, warrants investigation
A single elevated CRP reading doesn't mean you have a disease. It means your body is signaling something — and that signal deserves attention.
Why Merios tracks CRP
In the Merios Inflammation System, CRP is one of the most heavily weighted markers. It feeds directly into your overall health score and biological age calculation. When your CRP is elevated, Merios flags it and suggests evidence-based interventions.
What can you do about elevated CRP?
Several lifestyle factors are proven to reduce chronic inflammation:
- Sleep quality — Poor sleep is directly linked to higher CRP levels
- Exercise — Regular moderate exercise reduces systemic inflammation
- Diet — Mediterranean-style diets rich in omega-3s, vegetables, and whole grains are associated with lower CRP
- Stress management — Chronic psychological stress raises inflammatory markers
The bottom line
CRP is one of the simplest, cheapest, and most informative blood markers you can track. If you're only going to add one marker to your next blood panel, make it hs-CRP. Your future self will thank you.
Merios analyzes CRP alongside 130+ other biomarkers to give you a complete picture of your inflammatory status. Join the waitlist to get started.