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Research Updates

Inflammation linked to overactive bladder
June 3, 2010
Add overactive bladder to the list of health concerns linked to systemic inflammation. Analysis of medical records of almost 4,000 subjects found that the incidence of overactive bladder in parallel with CRP levels. "These results supported the hypothesized role of inflammation in the development of OAB," conclude the researchers.
http://www.renalandurologynews.com/overactive-bladder-linked-to-inflammation/article/171323/

IF Rating system accurately predicts inflammatory response to meals
May 28, 2010
In a small pilot study, researchers from University of Sao Paolo, Brazil, tested the effects of three meals on blood markers of inflammation. The three meals were similar in calories, fats, carbohydrates, and protein. However, one had a positive IF Rating, one had a negative IF Rating, and one was neutral. The IF Rating of the meal accurately predicted inflammatory response, as measured by changes in IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-a. A larger study is in the planning stages.

C-reactive protein an indicator but not a cause of heart disease
July 1, 2009
Researchers conclude that C-reactive protein does not itself cause damage to arteries or heart disease. The protein merely signals the presence of systemic inflammation, which is linked to higher incidence of heart disease and other conditions. Experts still recommend screening for C-reactive protein to assess risk and monitor treatment effectiveness.
Read more about this story.

Inflammation signals higher risk of deadly heart attack
July 1, 2009
Researchers in Glasgow find that elevated inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein indicate an increased risk of fatal (as opposed to non-fatal) heart attacs. Inflammation markers may be a valuable indicator of the severity or prognosis of heart disease.
Read more about this study.

Balancing omega-3s and omega-6s reduces inflammatory tendencies
June 1, 2009
Testing the hypothesis that an overabundance of omega-6 fats in the diet can lead to an increase in inflammation-related disease, Floyd Chilton and colleagues found that a diet that balanced omega-6 and omega-3 fats led to changes in gene expression that reduced the tendency to produce inflammatory chemicals.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Health--Science/Altered-omega-acid-ups-allergy-risk/articleshow/4596717.cms

Laughter reduces inflammation
April 20, 2009
Researchers found that regular sessions of "mirthful" laughter substantially reduced inflammation markers and improved several other health indicators, such as stress hormones and cholesterol profile in Type 2 diabetics. This substantiates the theory that stress exacerbates systemic inflammation and suggests that this may be a mechanism by which chronic stress leads to disease.
Read more about this study

Vitamin C supplements reduce CRP levels
November 13, 2008
A new study shows that daily supplementation with 1000mg of vitamin C reduces C-reactie protein in those with elevated levels. The effect was comparable to the anti-inflammatory effect observed with statin drugs.
Read more about t his study

Reducing inflammation (CRP) halves risk of joint replacment
November 5, 2008
High CRP levels, indicating systemic inflammation, increase the risk of eventually having to have a joint replacement. Even more importantly, taking steps to reduce CRP (such as following an anti-inflammatory diet) cuts your risk in half!
Read more about this study.

Skimping on sleep increases inflammation
September 4, 2008
Even a single night of disrupted sleep can provoke inflammatory responses in the body, suggesting that healthy sleep habits could play a role in reducing the risk of inflammation related conditions such as heart disease and auto-immune diseases.
Read more about this study.

Inflammation Fuels Bone Loss
May 15, 2008
A three-year study of 168 individuals found that those with higher levels of inflammation markers (CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) had greater loss of bone mineral density, suggesting that modulating inflammation could help prevent osteoporosis.
Link to study.

High glycemic diet provokes inflammatory response
May 15, 2008
A recent study involving 47 individuals with metabolic syndrome confirms that the glycemic load of carbohydrates affects inflammatory response. A lower-glycemic diet appears to reduce inflammation.
Link to abstract

Large scale study confirms link between obesity, inflammation, and heart risk
May 8, 2008
A study of 7000 individuals finds that being obese--even if you are otherwise healthy--increases your risk of heart failure. The culprit appears to be chronic, systemic, and asymptomatic inflammation.
Read more about this study

Post-Traumatic Stress Linked to Inflammation, Mortality
February 21, 2008
Those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder have a higher rate of mortality from all causes and new research suggests that systemic inflammation may play a role. Chronic low-level inflammation frequently accompanies PTSD and may contribute to depression and disease risk. Although it may be impossible to undo the trauma, reducing inflammation in those with PTSD may help prevent some of the subsequent damage.

Mild NSAID protects against diabetes
February 20, 2008
A new, milder NSAID called salsalate appears to reduce inflammation and improve glucose control in those at risk of developing Type II diabetes. Although NSAIDs have long been known to be protective against diabetes, side effects such as stomach bleeding make them problematic as a preventive measure. Developers hope that salsalate will provide the same protective benefits against diabetes, heart disease and other inflammation related conditions, without GI side effects.
Link to the study

Yoga reduces systemic inflammation
November 7, 2007
Eight weeks of yoga was shown to significantly reduce inflammation markers and increase quality of life for patients with heart failure.
Read more about this study

Inflammation, not obesity, cause of diabetes
November 7, 2007
Researchers have determined that by blocking the inflammatory response associated with obesity they can prevent the development of insulin resistance and diabetes in obese animals.
Read more about this research

Effects of Low-Carb Diets on Inflammatory Markers
October 15, 2007
A new study finds that a low carb diet led to a greater decrease in inflammatory markers than a reduced-fat diet--but only in those with high CRP levels to begin with. Those with low or moderate CRP levels saw a greater increase in inflammatory markers on the low carb diet, confirming previous research.
Read more about this study

Loneliness increases inflammation, disease
October 14, 2007
Feeling socially isolated or lonely can alter your immune system responses, leading to increased levels of systemic inflammation. This may be one reason that chronic loneliness increases your risk of heart disease.
Read more about this study

Hostility and anger breed chronic inflammation
August 9, 2007
We've known for decades that heart disease risk is linked to certain personality traits. New research suggests an explanation. Men who tend toward anger, hostility, and depression have increased systemic inflammation, which increases risk of heart disease and many other conditions.
Read more about this story

Inflammation linked to cognitive impairment in kids
July 18, 2007
High C-reative protein levels in kids are connected to decreased cognitive function. Children with obstructive sleep apnea due to enlarged tonsils have higher levels of the inflammatory chemical and lower cognitive scores.
Read more about this study

Staying fit may prevent age-related inflammation
July 6, 2007
Regular exercise helps to reduce chronic inflammation and new research suggests why this is the case. Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that cardiovascular fitness is directly linked to CRP levels, especially in the elderly.
Read more about this study

Low carb diet increases inflammation despite weight loss
May 31, 2007
Researchers compared the effects of a low carb diet and a low fat diet on weight loss. Although low carb dieters lost more weight (1 extra pound over the four week study), they had a 25% increase in CRP levels, while the low fat dieters saw a 43% decrease
Link to the abstract

More evidence linking inflammation to Alzheimer's
May 30, 2007
New research from the Framingham Heart Study strengthens the link between chronic low-level inflammation and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Results suggest that the presence of inflammatory chemicals may increase the risk of a future diagnosis by as much as 250%!
Read more about this study

Inflammation drives blood pressure higher
February 20, 2007
Researchers have known for some time that people with high blood pressure have elevated CRP levels, indicating systemic inflammation. But it was unclear whether inflammation causes hypertension or merely accompanies it. Now, researchers have established that the presence of inflammatory chemicals directly provokes an increase in blood pressure.
Read more about this story

Link between inflammation and cancer
January 26, 2007
A team led by biochemists at the University of California, San Diego has found what could be a long-elusive mechanism through which inflammation can promote cancer. The findings may provide a new approach for developing cancer therapies.
Read more about this research.

Losing weight reduces inflammatory response
January 11, 2007
A new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine confirms that losing weight--whether through diet, surgery, exercise, or other lifestyle modifications--consistently lowers CRP levels, a measure of inflammation in the body. High CRP levels have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, depression, and other conditions.
Link to study.

Anti-inflammatory curry protects against Alzheimer's
October 28, 2006
Researchers have found a strong link between curry and cognitive function in the elderly. The study found that people who eat curry have a significantly lower risk of dementia as well as Alzheimer's disease as they get older. Curry contains curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory compound that works similarly to ibuprofen but without any gastrointestinal side effects. Adding curry to the diet may help protect brain function.
link to abstract

Coffee consumption reduces heart disease risk
October 25, 2006
A 15-year long study of almost 30,000 women finds that moderate coffee consumption (1-3 cups a day) can lower your risk of heart disease by 24%. Coffee contains antioxidants which have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body, leading to increased protection against a number of inflammation-related diseases, including heart disease.
Read more about this study

Poor sleep habits linked to inflammation and disease
September 20, 2006
UCLA researchers have found that even one night of poor sleep increases the amount of inflammatory chemicals circulating in the body, and that this may contribute to the onset of heart disease or auto-immune diseases. The researchers suggest that "sleep therapy" (interventions to improve the quality and quantity of sleep) might be useful in the treatment of auto-immune and other inflammation-related conditions.
Click here to read more about this study.

Anti-inflammatory drugs cut risk of enlarged prostate
September 15, 2006
Men who regularly take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medications have a 25% lower risk of developing an enlarged prostate. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is extremely common as men age, causing symptoms such as frequent or difficult urination. Researchers are not recommending that anti-inflammatory drugs be used to prevent BPH, but this research suggests that reducing systemic inflammation will help reduce the risk of this common and sometimes debilitating condition.
Read more about this study.

Inflammation, depression, and stress linked
September 5, 2006
Previous research has shown that people suffering from depression tend to have higher levels of inflammatory chemicals in their blood. Those with depression are also at higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. A new study sheds light on the connections between depression, inflammation and heart disease. Researchers from Emory University found that men with depression had an exagerated response to stress, producing higher levels of inflammatory chemicals, which can contribute to heart disease. Men who suffer from depression are less likely to seek treatment than women. Hopefully, this study will motivate men to seek treatment for mood disorders that may increase their risk of other disease.
Link to the study abstract

Atkins diet increases inflammation after just one week
August 4, 2006
Researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University found that overweight women following an Atkins-style diet had increase CRP levels (indicating inflammation) after just one week on the diet. Although the Atkins diet has been shown in previous studies to reduce cholesterol levels, this is the first study to show an increase in inflammation, a significant risk factor for heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, and other disease.
Read more about this study

Fat cells found to secrete inflammatory chemicals
July 19, 2006
A study from the MD Anderson Cancer Center shows body fat cells produce an inflammatory substance called C-reactive protein (CRP). This may explain why overweight people face a higher risk of heart disease, stroke and other disease. Researchers say CRP has previously been found only in the liver or within blood vessel walls where it is produced in response to inflammatory triggers. But these results suggest that body fat may also be capable of producing the protein. (University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center)
More from the MD Anderson Cancer Center

Reducing inflammation can help lower cholesterol
July 1, 2006
Scientists at Penn State University found that a cholesterol-reducing diet (one that is low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol) is only effective for those with low levels of inflammation. Subjects with high levels of CRP (an inflammation marker) in their blood actually experienced an increase in their cholesterol levels while following the cholesterol-reducing diet. The researchers concluded that the presence of low-grade systemic inflammation not only reduces the effectiveness of a cholesterol-lowering diet; it may actually aggravate cholesterol problems.
Read the full article

Inflammation linked to Job Stress
June 19, 2006
Workers with high job stress have elevated levels of one laboratory marker of inflammation, according to a study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.The results add to recent evidence that increased inflammation could be the pathway by which high stress leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Comment: We may not be able to avoid stress in our jobs or in our lives, but we CAN take steps to prevent stress from turning into disease. The Inflammation Free Diet Plan helps to reduce inflammation in the body and prevent the negative disease causing effects of inflammation (and stress!)
Read more about this study

The link between inflammation and depression
May 3, 2006
Depression is often associated with elevated levels of inflammatory chemicals in the blood. A recent study in the U.K. found that standard anti-depressant drugs (SSRIs) have a significant anti-inflammatory effect, which is separate from their anti-depressant effects. This new evidence strengthens the theory that reducing inflammation can help alleviate or prevent mood disorders.
Link to the journal article.

Dietary fiber helps reduce inflammation
April 9, 2006
Increasing your fiber intake, especially in the form of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, can help reduce inflammation and disease risk. A study of 524 adults found that those who ate the most fiber (around 22 grams per day) had the lowest levels of C-reactive protein. As fiber intake fell, C-reactive protein levels tended to rise. Recommended fiber intake is 20 to 35 grams per day, but most Americans get only half that much.
Read more about this study

Is Coffee inflammatory? The Jury is still out.
March 18, 2006
Last week at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting, researchers presented the results of a Greek study which found that men who drank more than one cup of coffee a day had 30% higher levels of an inflammatory chemical called CRP in their blood. For women, the news was even worse: a 38% increase in CRP. However, researchers point out that coffee drinkers are also more likely to smoke, less likely to exercise, and eat fewer vegetables--all established risk factors for inflammation. More research is needed to establish whether coffee consumption is an independent risk factor for inflammation.

Farmed salmon may be less effective in reducing inflammation
February 2, 2006
Norwegian scientists measured the effects of different feeds on the nutritional composition of farm-raised salmon. Fish fed a diet high in vegetable oils have a much less favorable fatty acid composition than the salmon that consume a fish-oil rich diet. They also found that heart disease patients who ate the vegetable-oil fed salmon did not show the same cardiovascular improvements as patients who ate fish-oil fed salmon.
Link to abstract of this study

Vioxx, Celebrex don't protect stomach after all
December 5, 2005
When the "new generation" of arthritis drugs were introduced, the promise was that these so-called Cox-2 inhibitors would offer all the anti-inflammatory benefits of older pain-relievers like ibuprofen, without the risk of damage to the lining of the stomach. A new study reported in this week's British Medical Journal confirms previous findings that the much heralded Cox-2 inhibitors (which include Vioxx and Celebrex) are no gentler on the stomach than older pain relievers. Cox-2 inhibitors have also been linked with an increase in fatal heart problems.
Link to the journal article

Inflammatory diet leads to type 2 diabetes
September 15, 2005
A report in this week’s American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that an inflammatory diet (one that is high in refined sugar and highly-processed grains and low in cruciferous and yellow vegetables) is associated with the development of diabetes. “Inflammation is considered a key mechanism leading to type 2 diabetes,” say the investigators. This study confirms that a diet which promotes inflammation also promotes the development of diabetes and suggests that an anti-inflammatory diet will help to reduce the risk of the disease.
link to abstract

High IF fruits and vegetables reduce risk of arthritis
September 5, 2005
A recent British study at the University of Manchester Medical School found that subjects who ate a diet high in dietary carotenoids – the chemicals that give certain fruits and vegetables their orange and yellow colorings – dramatically reduced their risk of rheumatoid arthritis. (These fruits and vegetables have high IF ratings, indicating their anti-inflammatory properties.) Earlier research has shown that a diet rich in these nutrients (such as the Inflammation-Free Diet Plan) can also help ward off osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease.
Read more about this study

Inflammation may lead to vision loss
June 20, 2005
Researchers reported this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association that elevated C-reactive protein level is an independent risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of age-related vision loss and is untreatable.
Read the full abstract

Weight loss leads to reduction in inflammation
April 15, 2005
A study conducted at the University of Washington confirms that weight loss leads to a reduction in mulitple markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and amyloid A. Researchers found that the reduction in inflammation was roughly proportional to the amount of weight lost.
More about this study

Diabetes and Alzheimer's disease are linked by inflammation
March 20, 2005
Researchers have found that those with diabetes are at an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. People with diabetes have elevated levels of inflammatory chemicals in their blood, which in turn contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Read more about this study

Arthritis inflammation linked to cardiac deaths
March 3, 2005
Mayo Clinic epidemiologists have found that the systemic inflammation characterizing rheumatoid arthritis may be to blame for the increased risk of cardiovascular death in patients with the disease.
Link to Mayo Clinic article

Inflammation triples risk of colon cancer
April 20, 2002
Researchers reporting in the February 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Assocation find that people with the highest blood levels of C-reactive protein (a marker for systemic inflammation) are three times as likely to contract colon cancer as those in the lowest ranges.
Read the full abstract