My latest hsCRP was 2.3, up from 1.3 about a year ago. I don’t know why. I have no injury or illness (that I know of) that would be driving this.
Lipids and glucose are OK. I do not eat processed foods or red meat, a glass of wine may-be once or twice a month. I do aerobic and resistance exercise. Sleep is good. I take Repatha, metformin, imeglimin, raloxifene, ezitimebe, cialis, berberine, and a bunch of other supplements, nothing “out there.” BMI is 19. I even sit in a hot whirlpool a couple of times a week when I go to swim laps. Main threats are osteoporosis (severe) and frailty. Will probably start a parathyroid anabolic (teraparatide) for the bones.
My cardiologist and PCP are not concerned, but I want to get below 1.
I’ve thought about colchicine, but the sides are concerning. May-be start empagliflozin? Or increase the imeglimin and/or metformin?
Low dose aspirin + Omega 3 fish oil has some synergetic effect in addressing systemic imflammation. Some discussion of this in the forum.
Via Barry Sears, the Zone Diet guy.
Proposed Mechanism
Dr. Sears and associated research suggest that while fish oil provides the EPA/DHA building blocks to combat inflammation, low-dose aspirin triggers specific enzymes to convert these omega-3s into “resolvins”. Resolvins act to terminate the inflammatory response and aid tissue healing rather than merely blocking inflammation. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Protocol
Low-Dose Aspirin: Typically ~81 mg (baby aspirin) taken daily. The theory is that keeping the dosage low is critical; higher doses of aspirin can actually block the formation of resolvins. [1, 2, 3]
High-Purity Fish Oil: Doses are usually tailored based on individual blood markers, specifically aiming for an Arachidonic Acid (AA) to EPA ratio of less than 1.3 to 1.5. [1, 2]
The Zone Diet: A diet designed to balance macronutrients (roughly 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat per meal) to keep hormones like insulin and eicosanoids in a healthy range. [1, 2]
Safety Considerations & Medical Consensus
Increased Bleeding Risk: Both aspirin (antiplatelet) and fish oil (anticoagulant) thin the blood. Combining them can increase your risk of bruising or internal bleeding. [1, 2]
ASCEND & ASPREE Trials: Broad population studies in cardiology have cast some doubt on the universal benefits of combining fish oil and aspirin for all healthy individuals. [1, 2]
Personalized Health: Some research suggests that the interaction between aspirin and omega-3s depends heavily on your existing fatty acid levels in the blood, making personalized testing crucial. [1, 2]