When inflammation rises

Step 5: Inflammation and CRP rise

Your immune system pays attention to damaged cells. When membranes are injured and free radicals keep piling up, it responds with inflammation. In the short term that's useful, because it's part of how you heal. When the damage doesn't stop, the alarm can keep ringing.

That's step 5. And inflammation produces its own free radicals, which loops back to step 1.

In your labs

Labs that offer a clue:

hs-CRP. A blood marker that rises with inflammation. It doesn't say where the inflammation is coming from, but a persistently elevated value is worth investigating.
Omega-3 levels (DHA and EPA). These fats are used to make molecules that help inflammation resolve. If hs-CRP is high while omega-3 levels are low, that pattern can suggest the membrane's raw materials are short too. It's an educated inference, not a diagnosis.

Read about advanced DHA →See where your labs land →

Next, in Part 6: The last step, glutathione, and why homocysteine is part of the story.

Educational information only — not medical advice. Lab testing and any supplementation decisions should be made with a qualified healthcare provider who knows your personal health history. Research findings vary by population, dose, form, and study quality.

Some links go to Fullscript, where I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend supplements I've either used myself or seen work in my clients' lab data. Results vary from person to person.