A simple blood test can help determine whether you are at high risk for cardiac arrest.

This test of your C-reactive protein (CRP) level, may be a greater indication of whether you are prone to a heart attack than any other factor.

Traditionally, doctors have looked at things such as family history, age, smoking and eating habits, cholesterol levels and other factors to gauge someone risk for possible future cardiovascular problems.

Now, there is this simple blood test that might be able to tell even better.

What the CRP level test measures is the inflammation within your body.

About a decade ago, a Time Magazine cover story revealed to the masses that chronic inflammation might be linked to serious illness and disease. The theory is that inflammation, which is the body’s super immune system response to bacteria and invasion, may not always turn off when it needs to.

What happens then is that the inflammation essentially goes haywire and the body beings to actually attack itself. Researchers made this link and have been studying it further ever since.

It is an exciting development in the medical field. The concept that eliminating inflammation could possibly prevent life-threatening conditions is a powerful one.

As further research into this area continues, the popularity of anything that can reduce inflammation in the body has also skyrocketed.

A natural juice made from a plant known for its anti-inflammatory properties has ridden this wave of enthusiasm. Nopalea Juice, made from the Prickly Pear Cactus, has become increasingly popular in the past several years.

The native Sonoran plant is a natural anti-inflammatory, as well as being a natural anti-oxidant. Dr. Mehmet Oz has spoken about how the plant is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

On one television episode, the esteemed doctor said the highly fibrous nature of the plant has made it a possible way for people with diabetes to regulate their blood sugar levels.

On another one of his shows, Dr. Mehmet Oz bantered with comedian Jimmy Fallon that the plant was a good way to fight the ugly symptoms of overindulging in alcohol.

In Oprah’s magazine, an article on CRP levels gave five signs that people might be at risk for high levels of the protein, which indicates inflammation inside the body.

Here are the five criteria:

1. Chronic allergies. It is believed that allergens trigger the production of antibodies by the immune system. This also leads to the release of chemicals that produce inflammation.
2. Not enough sleep. The subsequent release of cortisol and CRP.
3. Refined Carbs are linked to high CRP levels.
4. Excess weight. Fat cells can fuel the production of CRP.
5. Repeatedly Sick. When the body becomes inflamed frequently to fight infection, it can elevate CRP levels.
6. Not flossing can cause the bacteria in the mouth to enter the bloodstream.
7. Birth-control pills can put hormones in the liver that trigger the production of CRP.

Remember, a simple blood test at the doctor’s office can determine CRP levels.

Author Bio: Frank Yocanis has been researching and writing about Natural Anti Inflammatory for the past decade. He has even traveled to the Sonoran desert half a dozen times to study how Nopalea contains amazing properties that help with all kinds of joint pain, including chronic inflammation. He is excited to share how this antioxidant-rich drink can change your life.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: swollen ankles, nopal juice, knee joint pain, General Nopalea, back pain, hip joint pain,