Dietary Fiber and Heart Health

An additional marker for heart disease risk is being used more frequently by the medical community. C-reactive protein, or CRP, is a marker for acute inflammation in the arteries. This inflammation is a primary reason for heart attacks and strokes due to the rupture of artery plaques. It is believed that anything that lowers CRP can reduce the risk of a serious cardiovascular episode.
The University of Massachusetts studied the diets of 524 people on a quarterly basis for 5 quarters and checked their blood CRP levels. They wanted to see if certain dietary factors could reduce CRP levels and inflammation.
The Results
The researchers found dietary fiber to have a protective effect. When examining the participants based on both a longitudinal and a cross-sectional analysis, it was determined that people who ate higher amounts of fiber in their diet were 63% less likely to have elevated CRP levels.
Both soluble and insoluble fibers were linked to lower CRP levels. Foods that reduce CRP levels or inflammation may have an immediate risk lowering effect on heart health.
What it Means
The researches concluded that dietary fiber is protective against high CRP and therefore support the current recommendations for a high fiber diet. People with the lowest CRP levels were eating at least 22 grams of fiber per day; however, the Institute of Medicine recommends consuming 25-36 grams of fiber per day for both men and women. Therefore, if these individuals had a higher fiber intake, their cardiovascular risk would have had a greater decrease.
Dietary fiber has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps explains why whole grains, fruits, vegetables and other high fiber foods help prevent heart attacks.
Source: Ma Y., et al (April 2006). Association between dietary fiber and serum C-reactive protein. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,83:760-6.