Rising Plasma Beta-Carotene Is Associated With Diminishing C-Reactive Protein in Patients Consuming a Dark Green Leafy Vegetable–Rich, Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) Diet

Abstract

Chronic inflammation contributes to a number of chronic diseases and can be assessed with C-reactive protein (CRP). In this longitudinal retrospective chart review, we investigate whether patients intensively counseled to eat a specific diet high in dark green leafy vegetables, and thus high beta-carotene, have reductions in plasma high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP). We term this the Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) diet. Forty-three patients in a community practice instructed to eat the LIFE diet met inclusion criteria. The CRP levels were measured at least twice over the course of up to a year. Adherence to the diet was objectively assessed by measurement of plasma beta-carotene, which is abundant in dark green leafy vegetables, and subjectively by serial interviews. The change in beta-carotene was inversely correlated with change in CRP ( r = −0.68, P < .0001). Additionally, patients subjectively classified as adherent had higher beta-carotene ( P < .0001) and lower CRP ( P = .002) as compared with patients who were classified as nonadherent. These longitudinal findings suggest that adherence to the LIFE diet leads to increased beta-carotene and decreased CRP. Thus, this type of diet may reduce risk or severity of chronic diseases involving inflammation.

Associations of Dietary Intake on Biological Markers of Inflammation in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

“…For example, studies showed that high intakes of vegetables and fruit [ 59 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 69 ], and whole-grains [ 67 , 72 ] resulted in lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers, such as CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α. The same was for various micronutrients such as beta-carotene [ 66 ] and vitamins C and E [ 39 ] all of which are considered to have anti-inflammatory properties [ 100 ].…”

The Role of β-Carotene in Colonic Inflammation and Intestinal Barrier Integrity

“…The anti-inflammatory effects of β-carotene have been demonstrated in multiple systems. Schultz et al showed a reverse correlation between plasma β-carotene and C-reactive protein (CRP), a systemic inflammatory biomarker ( 14 ). Additionally, by administrating β-carotene- 14 C intraduodenally, Crain et al reported that appreciable amounts of β-carotene was converted to ATRA in the rat intestinal mucosa ( 15 ), highlighting the possibility that both β-carotene and ATRA could be bioactive compounds that affected the homeostasis of the gastrointestinal (GI) system.…”

Associations of dietary intake on biological markers of inflammation in children and Adolescents: A systematic review

“…For example, studies showed that high intakes of vegetables and fruit [59,[63][64][65][66][67]69], and whole-grains [67,72] resulted in lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers, such as CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α. The same was for various micronutrients such as beta-carotene [66] and vitamins C and E [39] all of which are considered to have anti-inflammatory properties [100].…”