Probably the simplest mechanism to modify CRP levels is weight reduction. In the third U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), as individuals increased from normal weight to overweight to frankly obese, the proportion of individuals with elevated CRP dramatically increased. These data are not surprising, because fat cells, or adipocytes, are a major source of IL-6 production and hence will lead to increased levels of CRP. From a preventive cardiologist's standpoint, exercise and weight loss are likely to be fundamental mechanisms by which we can reduce the impact of the inflammatory process.

Reference:
Visser M, Bouter LM, McQuillan GM, Wener MH, Harris TB. Elevated C-reactive protein levels in overweight and obese adults. JAMA 1999;282:2131-2135.
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