Relation of depressive symptoms to CRP and pathogen burden (cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus) in patients w/ earlier acute coronary syndromes
This article has so many implications. And it is a perfect example of why so much research into “CAM therapies” or natural approaches bothers me. The finding of strong relationships between both being depressed and/or having a latent viral infection with elevated CRP levels adds yet another layer to the onion that is cardiovascular disease. Mainstream medicine has always tried to follow the “one cause, one cure” model but it fails miserably for chronic diseases.
Any natural approach to CVD addresses a multitude of lifestyle and nutritional interventions. And yes, addressing psychological health is a part of that approach. What I would love to see now is, do antidepressant medications lower CRP levels? Or do they mask the symptoms and allow underlying damaging physiological imbalances to continue…