Journal Name:
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol.
Article Title:
Dietary Factors That Promote or Retard Inflammation.
Date Written:
2006
Volume:
26
Number:
0
Page:
995
Author(s):
Basu, A.; Devaraj, S.; Jialal , I.
Article:
Literature suggests that inflammation is pivotal in all phases of atherosclerosis, and biomarkers of inflammation, especially high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), have been shown in various studies to predict cardiovascular events. Cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome are typified by low-grade inflammation. The goal of this review was to examine the efficacy of the different dietary components on biomarkers of inflammation. Reports of reviews, observational studies, as well as clinical trials that tested the effects of dietary modifications, nutrient supplementation, and weight loss on biomarkers of inflammation in human subjects were included. A PubMed search was conducted from 1995 through December 2005, by using the terms: biomarkers of inflammation, C-reactive protein, IL-6, fats, cholesterol, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, weight loss, alcohol, clinical trials, reviews, and epidemiological observations. Iinclusion criteria for clinical trials were random allocation of participants, and study sample limited to men or nonpregnant women. Close to sixty studies were included. The available literature suggests that a combination of dietary factors, such as, in the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in oleic acid from olive and canola oils and is low in saturated fatty acids, may retard inflammation, possibly by nutrient–nutrient synergy. Weight loss/hypocaloric diets are associated with reduced inflammation and overall risk reduction of CVD. Limited studies have shown that certain dietary factors; oleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and antioxidants RRR-alpha tocopherol, reduce biomarkers of inflammation. Most of the studies with fish oil supplementation have shown null effects, and conflicting results have been reported with saturated and trans fatty acids, cholesterol, and soy intake. Most of the studies have reported effects on CRP, whereas a few have focused on pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1alpha, IL-6, or TNF-alpha. Future research needs to focus on the role of specific dietary factors on biomarkers of inflammation, because they may modulate inflammation through different mechanisms. Therapeutic lifestyle changes remain the cornerstone in modulating inflammation and cardiovascular disease and much further research is needed to define the anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory effects of specific dietary factors.
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