The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between dietary fiber and cardiovascular inflammatory markers. Recent studies have found that diets with higher fiber intake are associated with a reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association does not prove that dietary fiber is actually responsible for lower CVD risk nor does it illuminate potential mechanisms of lower risk if present. Since the diet-CVD connection is strong, and given that CVD is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality, additional information would be valuable. Our preliminary studies and the work of others suggest that there is a significant association between C-reactive protein (CRP) and dietary fiber intake. These observations led us to the following unifying hypothesis: Diets high in fiber are associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers. Our long-term goal is to determine whether inflammation is a key mediator in the link between fiber intake and cardiovascular disease risk. The three specific aims of the project are 1: To determine whether total dietary fiber and or fiber supplementation is associated with levels of inflammatory markers (CRP, fibrinogen, WBC) among adult participants with obesity, hypertension, or diabetes in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000; 2: To determine whether 3 weeks on a diet naturally high in fiber (30g/day), or on a diet high in fiber through supplementation, will significantly reduce inflammatory markers compared to a diet low in fiber, in a clinical trial among 30 lean and 30 obese adult hypertensive volunteers; and 3: To determine whether 3 months on a diet supplemented with moderate fiber (extra 7g/day), or high fiber (15g/day), will significantly reduce inflammatory markers compared to a usual diet low in fiber (average 10-15g/day) in a three-month long clinical trial among 180 obese adult volunteers. To accomplish these aims, we plan to conduct three related studies. The first will utilize existing data contained in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a national database of 5773 non-institutionalized adults. The second study will be an additional procedure and laboratory examination to an existing R01 by one of the investigators, to examine the impact of a diet naturally high in fiber on CRP and other inflammatory markers. The third study will consist of new primary data collection in 180 volunteers to evaluate the effect of different levels of fiber supplementation on CRP, fibrinogen, WBC, and interleukin-6. By using existing data, taking advantage of an ongoing protocol, and adding new information through primary data collection, we hope to dramatically increase our understanding of the association between dietary fiber and cardiovascular inflammatory markers. This information could serve to guide constructive changes in nutritional guidelines for reducing CVD risk for millions of at-risk individuals.
| King, Dana E; DeLegge, Mark (2009) The impact of fiber supplementation on ADMA levels. Nutr Clin Pract 24:80-3 |
| Mainous 3rd, Arch G; Everett, Charles J; Player, Marty S et al. (2008) Importance of a patient's personal health history on assessments of future risk of coronary heart disease. J Am Board Fam Med 21:408-13 |
| King, Dana E; Mainous 3rd, Arch G; Geesey, Mark E (2008) Variation in L-arginine intake follow demographics and lifestyle factors that may impact cardiovascular disease risk. Nutr Res 28:21-4 |
| King, Dana E; Mainous 3rd, Arch G; Egan, Brent M et al. (2008) Effect of psyllium fiber supplementation on C-reactive protein: the trial to reduce inflammatory markers (TRIM). Ann Fam Med 6:100-6 |
| King, Dana E; Mainous 3rd, Arch G; Geesey, Mark E (2008) Adopting moderate alcohol consumption in middle age: subsequent cardiovascular events. Am J Med 121:201-6 |
| King, Dana E; Mainous 3rd, Arch G; Egan, Brent M et al. (2007) Use of statins and blood pressure. Am J Hypertens 20:937-41 |
| King, Dana E; Egan, Brent M; Woolson, Robert F et al. (2007) Effect of a high-fiber diet vs a fiber-supplemented diet on C-reactive protein level. Arch Intern Med 167:502-6 |
| King, Dana E; Mainous 3rd, Arch G; Geesey, Mark E et al. (2005) Dietary magnesium and C-reactive protein levels. J Am Coll Nutr 24:166-71 |
| King, Dana E; Mainous 3rd, Arch G; Egan, Brent M et al. (2005) Fiber and C-reactive protein in diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Diabetes Care 28:1487-9 |
| King, Dana E (2005) Dietary fiber, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. Mol Nutr Food Res 49:594-600 |
