Questions people ask about CRP Basis

CRP (C-reactive protein) is a non-specific inflammatory marker produced by the liver. Elevated levels can indicate acute or chronic inflammation, infection, tissue damage, or stress. In cardiovascular risk assessment, high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) is used: values above 2 mg/L suggest moderate risk and above 3 mg/L high risk. However, CRP is not causal for heart disease but rather a bystander. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity have a much stronger impact on CRP levels than genetic variants. While some SNPs (e.g., in the CRP gene) are associated with slightly altered CRP levels, the effect sizes are small and not clinically actionable. A DNA test based on CRP is therefore not suitable for deriving personalized diet or therapy recommendations. The evidence for such tests is weak and largely marketing-driven. Important: a single elevated CRP value should always be followed up with further tests and medical evaluation. CRP measurement is a useful tool in clinical practice but not a standalone diagnostic for specific diseases.