C-reactive protein concentration and concentrations of blood vitamins, carotenoids, and selenium among United States adults.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationships between circulating concentrations of C-reactive protein and concentrations of retinol, retinyl esters, vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and selenium.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-1994) data.


METHODS
United States population.


METHODS
Up to 14 519 US noninstitutionalized civilian men and women aged > or=20 y.


RESULTS
C-reactive protein concentration (dichotomized at the sex-specific 85th percentile) was inversely and significantly associated with concentrations of retinol, retinyl esters, vitamin C, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, and selenium after adjustment for age, sex, race or ethnicity, education, cotinine concentration, body mass index, leisure-time physical activity, and aspirin use.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the inflammatory process, through the production of reactive oxygen species, may deplete stores of antioxidants. Whether increased consumption of foods rich in antioxidants or supplementation with antioxidants can provide health benefits to people characterized by elevated C-reactive protein concentrations may be worthy of further study.
Ford
E S
ES
Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. esf2@cdc.gov
Liu
S
S
Mannino
D M
DM
Giles
W H
WH
Smith
S J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood; D014481:United States; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*
D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012643:Selenium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid