CRP, ARMD, Angina, Gum Disease

Dear Dr. Dean, I would like your opinion relating to the value of the blood test for highly reactive C Proteins (hrCP)? My doctor did not request it on my last blood workup, saying it was diagnostically useless. I am 61, have no cardiac factors except for two incidents of resting angina in January, which made me concerned enough to do stress/ultrasound tests this June. My cholesterol is 149, blood pressure 120/80 and I seem perfectly healthy except was told this week I have dry macular degeneration. Gingivitis is about average according to the dentist. I suspect everything is connected and that if I have hard arteries it wouldn’t show up except with hrCP. Should I get a new doctor? Thanks. Mr. B.

Dear Mr. B., I agree with you—I think CRP is a very useful test, as an indicator of an inflammatory process in the body and as a marker of your progress in correcting the problem. VRP now offers a test for CRP. Another important marker that most physicians don’t order is fibrinogen—and that is because there is no drug that they know of that will reduce elevated fibrinogen (another marker of inflammation). Turmeric has been shown to lower fibrinogen levels. Please see the special fibrinogen report available on the website. If your physician will not order these tests, you might do as you suggested and find a physician who WILL order them. Most physicians, likewise, don’t know what to do about macular degeneration, other than monitor its “progress.” I suggest Extension Vision, which was developed specifically for those concerned about macular degeneration. Gingivitis (periodontal disease) is really an indicator of osteoporosis of the jaw—a generalized indicator of osteoporosis, I believe. For periodontal disease, I recommend daily flossing, use of a water pik filled with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, high-dose CoQ10-H2™, Xylitol (Unique Sweet®) Gum and Mints throughout the day (to prevent bacterial growth and to promote reversal of bone loss), and a daily massage of the gums with Silver Liquid (several drops on the finger tip). If you are having angina, I would add Oral ChelatoRx, 6-12 caps per day, 1/4 to 1 aspirin tablet per day, Turmeric (several grams per day if your fibrinogen is a little high) and perhaps Nattokinase Plus or UniZyme™. Let me know how you do. Sincerely, Ward Dean, MD