Fiber Intake Linked to Colon Health and Low CRP

VRP Staff

Two recent studies indicate that fiber consumption reduces levels of the inflammatory marker known as C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and reduces the risk of recurrence of colorectal cancer.

In the most recent study, researchers investigated the effects of fiber intake on inflammation by measuring levels of CRP. High sensitivity CRP is a marker of acute inflammation recently recognized as an independent predictor of future cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The researchers theorized that identification of modifiable factors, such as diet, that influence serum CRP concentrations may provide the means for reducing the risk of these diseases.

The researchers collected data on body composition, CRP, diet, and physical activity in 524 subjects at baseline and every 13 weeks during the study. They then determined if there was a relationship between CRP and dietary fiber.

The study authors observed that the more fiber the subjects consumed, the lower their CRP concentration. Subjects who consumed the most fiber had a 63 percent reduced incidence of elevated CRP levels compared to participants who consumed the least fiber.

According to the researchers, “Our results suggest that dietary fiber is protective against high CRP, which supports current recommendations for a diet high in fiber.”

In an earlier study, researchers sought to determine whether fiber affects the recurrence of colon tumors in human subjects. The scientists combined the study populations of 2 large clinical intervention trials: the Wheat Bran Fiber Trial and the Polyp Prevention Trial. They then analyzed data from 3,209 participants to examine the effect of a dietary intervention on colorectal tumor recurrence in the study population as a whole and by sex.

Although for women, no significant association was found between fiber intake and colon tumor recurrence, for men, there was a statistically significant reduced recurrence of colon tumors.

The study authors concluded that fiber’s different effects in the genders may help to explain some of the discrepant results reported in the literature.

References:
Ma Y, Griffith JA, Chasan-Taber L, Olendzki BC, Jackson E, Stanek EJ 3rd, Li W, Pagoto SL, Hafner AR, Ockene IS. Association between dietary fiber and serum C-reactive protein. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Apr;83(4):760-6.

Jacobs ET, Lanza E, Alberts DS, Hsu CH, Jiang R, Schatzkin A, Thompson PA, Martinez ME. Fiber, sex, and colorectal adenoma: results of a pooled analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Feb;83(2):343-9.