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In my Newmarket chiropractic office, I see more and more people coming in with chronic inflammation (AKA pain). Excess internal inflammation due to lack of proper nutrition, high stress, and chronic disease causes a host of health problems – cancer, heart disease, digestive problems, fatigue, and chronic pain to name only a few. How do you know if this “silent inflammation” is causing you an unusual or abnormal amount of widespread pain? Blood tests. Here are the top 4 blood markers you should be asking for to determine if you are in a state of chronic inflammation.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
The ESR measures the rate at which the red blood cells separate from the plasma and fall to the bottom of a test tube. If there are certain proteins that cover red blood cells, they will stick to the cells and cause them to fall more quickly to the bottom of the tube. A high ESR indicates that you have higher inflammation somewhere in your body.
C-reactive protein (CRP)
The level of CRP increases when you have certain diseases and with high inflammation in your body.
Vitamin D
This deficiency creates a host of problems including inflammation. Most people assume they get enough vitamin D and do not need to supplement. Assume you are deficient or if you insist, get blood work to prove it. Your serum 25 (OH) D level should be between 40-60 ng/ml.
Fatty Acid Profile
The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats has increased dramatically due to the use of vegetable oils and eating highly processed, unnatural food. Decreased consumption of omega-3 oils (cold water fish and flaxseed oil) have also contributed to the growing prevalence of omega 3 & 6 ratio imbalance, resulting in high level of body inflammation.
Once you have your blood tests results, only then can you work at minimizing the amount of inflammation slowly and steadily. “Time heals all wounds” is only true if you address the underlying cause of your inflammation. Here are a few sources to begin your journey:
Be Well,
