C-reactive protein and nutrition.

High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a proven method to better predict the cardiovascular risk and target therapeutic interventions. Serum concentrations of hsCRP were measured in an adult apparently healthy population aged 19-75 years of different nutrition: a vegetarian group (lacto- and lacto-ovo-vegetarians who consumed plant food, dairy products and eggs) and a group of non-vegetarians (general population) on traditional mixed diet. The average hsCRP concentration was significantly reduced in the vegetarian group (0.72 +/- 0.07 vs 1.62 +/- 0.12 mg/l) with no risk values >3 mg/l vs 14 % in non-vegetarians. In non-vegetarians, a positive linear correlation of hsCRP values and age (r=0.35, p<0.001) was recorded vs horizontal trend line in vegetarians. Low and age independent concentration of hsCRP in vegetarians is the consequence of a long-term consumption of fruits and vegetables. These food commodities are important sources of dietary salicylates as well as other anti-inflammatory compounds (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 15).