Patterns of dietary intake and serum carotenoid and tocopherol status are associated with biomarkers of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk

Dietary modification may affect inflammatory processes and protect against chronic disease. In the present study, we examined the
relationship between dietary patterns, circulating carotenoid and tocopherol concentrations, and biomarkers of chronic low-grade systemic
inflammation in a 10-year longitudinal study of Scottish postmenopausal women. Diet was assessed by FFQ during 1997–2000 (n 3237,
mean age 54·8 (SD 2·2) years). Participants (n 2130, mean age 66·0 (SD 2·2) years) returned during 2007–11 for follow-up. Diet was assessed
by FFQ (n 1682) and blood was collected for the analysis of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), IL-6, serum amyloid A,
E-selectin, lipid profile and dietary biomarkers (carotenoids, tocopherols and retinol). Dietary pattern and dietary biomarker (serum carotenoid)
components were generated by principal components analysis. A past ‘prudent’ dietary pattern predicted serum concentrations of
hs-CRP and IL-6 (which decreased across the quintiles of the dietary pattern; P¼0·002 and P¼0·001, respectively; ANCOVA). Contemporary
dietary patterns were also associated with inflammatory biomarkers. The concentrations of hs-CRP and IL-6 decreased across the quintiles
of the ‘prudent’ dietary pattern (P¼0·030 and P¼0·006, respectively). hs-CRP concentration increased across the quintiles of a ‘meatdominated’
dietary pattern (P¼0·001). Inflammatory biomarker concentrations decreased markedly across the quintiles of carotenoid
component score (P,0·001 for hs-CRP and IL-6, and P¼0·016 for E-selectin; ANCOVA). Prudent dietary pattern and carotenoid component
scores were negatively associated with serum hs-CRP concentration (unstandardised b for prudent component: 20·053, 95% CI 20·102,
20·003; carotenoid component: 20·183, 95% CI 20·233, 20·134) independent of study covariates. A prudent dietary pattern (which
reflects a diet high in the intakes of fish, yogurt, pulses, rice, pasta and wine, in addition to fruit and vegetable consumption) and a
serum carotenoid profile characteristic of a fruit and vegetable-rich diet are associated with lower concentrations of intermediary markers
that are indicative of CVD risk reduction.