Once-Daily Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) Smoothie or the Full LIFE Diet Lowers C-Reactive Protein and Raises Plasma Beta-Carotene in 7 Days

Abstract

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, is associated with increased risk for numerous inflammation-driven chronic diseases. A prior longitudinal study showed that the Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) diet, which is rich in dark green leafy vegetables (DGLV), lowered CRP over a mean follow-up period of 6 months. In this retrospective study, we investigate whether patients who consume the LIFE diet or their regular diet plus one component of the LIFE diet (LIFE smoothie), experience reductions in high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) in 7 days. Sixteen patients in a community practice met inclusion criteria. Patient compliance was assessed by patient interviews and measurements of beta-carotene, which is abundant in DGLV. Following the interventions, CRP decreased in both the LIFE diet (−0.47 mg/L, P = .02) and smoothie groups (−1.2 mg/L, P = .04). No statistically significant difference in reduction was observed between groups ( P = .18). Plasma beta-carotene increased in both groups (+23.2, P = .02; +20.6, P = .006, respectively). These findings suggest that the LIFE diet or a regular American diet supplemented with the LIFE smoothie may quickly reduce systemic inflammation and the risk of many chronic diseases.

Reduction in Ferritin Concentrationsamong Patients Consuming a Dark-Green Leafy Vegetable–Rich, Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) Diet

“…Patients were intensively counseled on how often to consume components of the LIFE diet and the precise way to measure ingredients, which was done to ensure that assessments of the diet's efficacy were based on measurable doses and frequencies, similar to medications. In this way, we hoped to demonstrate that larger portion sizes and more frequent consumption could result in proportional increases in the LIFE diet's systemic effects (described previously as health benefit = frequency × dose) ( 21 ). As we highlighted in the second LIFE study, the “dose” of certain ingredients may be affected by the physical state of the food as well ( 21 ).…”

“…In this way, we hoped to demonstrate that larger portion sizes and more frequent consumption could result in proportional increases in the LIFE diet's systemic effects (described previously as health benefit = frequency × dose) ( 21 ). As we highlighted in the second LIFE study, the “dose” of certain ingredients may be affected by the physical state of the food as well ( 21 ). There is some evidence to suggest that the B-carotene in liquefied DGLVs is better absorbed compared with whole vegetables ( 43 ).…”

“…In the first, we found that the LIFE diet resulted in substantial decreases in hsCRP and increased B-carotene over a mean follow-up of 6 mo ( 33 ). In the second, patients who consumed a standard American diet supplemented with 1 component of the LIFE diet, a daily 32-ounce LIFE smoothie, experienced significant reductions in CRP in only 7 d ( 21 ). In both of these analyses, patients had higher than optimal mean CRP concentrations at baseline: 6.67 mg/L and 2.86 mg/L, respectively.…”

“…In 2 prior studies, we showed that the highly specific Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) diet, which is rich in dark-green leafy vegetables (DGLVs), rapidly and significantly lowers systemic inflammation ( 21 , 22 ). This was validated by reductions in mean CRP and elevations in mean B-carotene, an antioxidant that is abundant in DGLVs ( 23 ).…”