Dietary glycemic index, dietary glycemic load, blood lipids, and C-reactive protein.
Carbohydrate quantity and quality may influence the risk of cardiovascular disease through blood lipid concentrations and inflammation. We measured dietary glycemic index (GI) and dietary glycemic load (GL) among 18137 healthy women > or = 45 years old without diagnosed diabetes using a food-frequency questionnaire. We assayed fasting total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol; LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio; triacylglycerols (TG); and C-reactive protein (CRP). We evaluated associations with dietary GI and GL using a cross-sectional design, adjusting for age, body mass index, lifestyle factors, and other dietary factors. Dietary GI was significantly associated with HDL and LDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio, TG, and CRP (comparing top to bottom quintile difference in HDL cholesterol = -2.6 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol = 2.2 mg/dL, LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio = 0.16, TG = 12 mg/dL, and CRP = 0.21 mg/L). Dietary GL was associated with HDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio, and TG (comparing top to bottom quintile HDL cholesterol = -4.9 mg/dL, LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio = 0.24, and TG = 13 mg/dL). Differences in blood lipids and CRP between extreme quintiles of dietary GI and GL were small, but may translate into a clinically meaningful difference in cardiovascular risk.
Levitan
Emily B
EB
Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA. elevitan@bidmc.harvard.edu
Cook
Nancy R
NR
Stampfer
Meir J
MJ
Ridker
Paul M
PM
Rexrode
Kathryn M
KM
Buring
Julie E
JE
Manson
JoAnn E
JE
Liu
Simin
S
D015415:Biomarkers; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D038321:Glycemic Index / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005947:Glucose