RobTuck: you said in an earlier post that you “do a lot to lower my inflammation markers.” Would so appreciate if you would elaborate on that.
My hsCRP seems to be steady at around 2.3 mg/dL, which is supposedly “average” risk. I want to get it lower. I have genetic risk for atherosclerosis (two risk alleles on the “heart attack gene”) which nearly doubles risk, but other markers are good – high HDL (110) and low Trigs (66), low-ish blood pressure, CAC score of 0.96 but a bit of plaque on the LAD. Since starting Repatha (and Ezetimibe) 2 years ago, APOB down to 42, Lp(a) down to 27 (from 40). I am 76, fit, and pretty good about all the lifestyle behaviors. Would welcome input on what else I can do . . .
Rob Tuck: Thank you so much for the detailed information. I will look into the GlycA test (NYS does not let residents use LabCorp but there have got to be other ways to get the test).
I averaged my last seven hsCRP readings: 1.6, but trending up over time.
There is some suggestion that GLP1’s lower inflammation but had a violent reaction to a tiny dose of Rybelsus so probably won’t try that unless the inflammation gets worse.
Since I don’t have any exogenous risks or other alarming markers, thinking the higher inflammation is probably genetic, as I do have that bad genetic risk. I don’t hold out much hope that supplements will address, but nevertheless am trying Low Dose Naltrexone.
Read somewhere that resistance training / muscle building is itself inflammatory and wondering if that is at least a small contributor.
Muscle building – both general types – is inflammatory in the short term (do not get blood work after a hard workout of any kind) but is strongly anti-inflammatory over the longer term. In fact, a lack of muscular fitness is a common source of inflammation in older adults.
GlycA is an NMR test and most of those are owned by LabCorp. If you get the MVX Pro test, you will get GlycA plus a more useful inflammatory index assessment.
I think the usual list of anti-inflammatory supplements, beginning with EVOO, then curcumin, ginger, astaxanthin, and a few others plus zero added sugars, you might expect a 0.25 to 0.5 drop from that – depending, of course.