Association between dietary fiber and markers of systemic inflammation in the Women’s Heath Initiative Observational Study

Objective— Systemic inflammation may play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Few studies have comprehensively assessed the direct relationships between dietary fiber and inflammatory cytokines, especially in minority populations. Using baseline data from 1,958 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Women’s Heath Initiative Observational Study, we examined cross-sectional associations between dietary fiber intake and markers of systemic inflammation (including serum C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α receptor 2 (TNF- α -R2)), as well as differences in these associations by ethnicity. Method— Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the relationship between fiber intake and makers of systemic inflammation. Results— After adjustment for consistent with that found among European-Americans. We did not observe any significant association between intake of dietary fiber and hs-CRP. Conclusions— These findings lend support to the hypothesis that a high-fiber diet is associated with lower plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF- α -R2. Contrary to previous reports, however, there was no association between fiber and hs-CRP among postmenopausal women. Future studies on the influence of diet on inflammation should include IL-6 and TNF- α -R2 and enroll participants from ethnic minorities.