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C-reactive protein is a marker of inflammation, and correlated with cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis, among other conditions.  The glycemic index is a measure of foods ranked according to their glucose response, which is important for people with diabetes and metabolic syndrome (high triglycerides, low HDL, high blood pressure, elevated glucose, and abdominal obesity).

ABSTRACT:

Association between dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Griffith JA, Ma Y, Chasan-Taber L, Olendzki B, Chiriboga DE, Stanek EJ 3rd, Merriam PA, Ockene IS.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relation between quality of dietary carbohydrate intake, as measured by glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL), and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. METHODS: During a 1-y observational study, data were collected at baseline and at each quarter thereafter. GI and GL were calculated from multiple 24-h dietary recalls (24HRs), 3 randomly selected 24HRs at every quarter, with up to 15 24HRs per participant. The hs-CRP was measured in blood samples collected at baseline and each of the four quarterly measurement points. Multivariable linear mixed models were used to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of GI, GL, and hs-CRP. RESULTS: Among 582 adult men and women with at least two measurements of diet and hs-CRP, average daily GI score (white bread = 100) was 85 and average GL was 198, and average hs-CRP was 1.84 mg/L. Overall, there was no association between GI or GL and hs-CRP. Subgroup analyses revealed an inverse association between GL and hs-CRP among obese individuals (body mass index >/=30 kg/m(2)). CONCLUSION: Quality of dietary carbohydrates does not appear to be associated with serum hs-CRP levels. Among obese individuals, higher dietary GL appears to be related to lower hs-CRP levels. Due to the limited number of studies on this topic and their conflicting results, further investigation is warranted.

Nutrition.  2008 May;24(5):401-6.