C-reactive protein (CRP) is a globular protein that rises in the blood in response to injury or inflammation. It has emerged as a useful marker for cardiovascular risk. A study published in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association (2005; 8(1):43–44), involving more than 27,000 women, found that CRP was a stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease than LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
LDL (“bad”) cholesterol becomes most dangerous in the presence of inflammation. When inflammation is present, LDL particles are more likely to become oxidized and to penetrate the arterial wall, where they contribute to plaque formation. In this sense, atherosclerosis is not caused by cholesterol alone, but by the combination of circulating lipids and chronic inflammation. CRP serves as a marker of that inflammatory environment, helping explain why it can outperform LDL cholesterol as a predictor of cardiovascular risk.
Elevated CRP is also linked to higher overall mortality. Research published in Clinical Chemistry (February 2008; 54(2):335–342) found that men with CRP levels greater than 3 mg/L had nearly a two-fold increased risk of death from all causes. High CRP levels were also associated with a 2.15-fold increased risk of heart attack and a 1.65-fold increased risk of cancer, underscoring the role of chronic inflammation as a broad risk factor for disease.
