What to watch with CRP Entzündung and longevity?

CRP (C-reactive protein) is a well-established biomarker of systemic inflammation. Chronically mildly elevated CRP (e.g., 2–10 mg/L) is associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in large cohort studies, suggesting accelerated biological aging. However, CRP is not a direct predictor of individual lifespan; the effect size is moderate and heavily confounded by lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, smoking, sleep). Single measurements can be skewed by acute infections or injuries. Consumer blood tests (e.g., MyBody-X VitalCheck) provide a snapshot but cannot diagnose the cause of inflammation or predict longevity. If CRP is persistently elevated, medical workup is warranted (e.g., hidden infections, autoimmunity, metabolic syndrome). Evidence: human-strong for mortality association, but not for causal longevity. Caveat: CRP alone is insufficient; combined biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α, albumin) and lifestyle assessment are more informative.