Dietary fibre intake is inversely associated with carotid intima-media thickness: a cross-sectional assessment in the PREDIMED study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the association between the intake of dietary fibre and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in a Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk. Methods: Baseline cross-sectional assessment of 457 men and women (average age 67 years) from two different Spanish centres of the PREDIMED trial. A previously validated food frequency questionnaire (137 food items) was administered by trained dieticians in a face-to-face interview. Mean common carotid IMT was measured using B-mode ultrasound imaging of the right and left carotid arteries by four certified sonographers who used a common protocol. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were performed and samples of fasting blood were obtained. Participants were categorized into four groups (roughly quartiles: p21; 421 to p25; 425 to p31 and 431 g/day) of energy-adjusted intake of dietary fibre. Multiple linear regression models were used to adjust for age, sex, centre, smoking, body mass index, diabetes, blood pressure, lipid levels and statin use. Results: In the crude analyses, energy-adjusted fibre intake showed a significant inverse correlation with IMT (r ¼ À0.27, Po0.001). In multivariate analyses, a modest, though statistically significant (P ¼ 0.03) inverse association between energyadjusted fibre intake and IMT was also found. The multivariate-adjusted difference in average IMT was À0.051 mm (95% confidence interval: À0.094 toÀ0.009, P ¼ 0.02) for participants whose intake was 435 g/day, (n ¼ 47) when compared with those whose intake was o25 g/day (n ¼ 224). Conclusions: Our results suggest that high fibre intake is inversely associated with carotid atherosclerosis.

Cruciferous and Total Vegetable Intakes Are Inversely Associated With Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Older Adult Women

“…The results of our study can be supported by a randomized controlled trial reporting a slight regression in CCA‐IMT with dietary changes, which included an increased intake of fruit and vegetables over a 12‐month period 46. However, in observational studies, no associations have been observed between intakes of vegetables alone and carotid IMT, and they suggest fruit intake may be more beneficial 47, 48. Fruit intake, however, did not influence the association between total vegetable intake and CCA‐IMT in our study, and it was not itself an independent predictor.…”

Effect of improving dietary quality on carotid intima media thickness in subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a 12-mo randomized controlled trial

“…In this study, at 3 mo, fiber intake was increased by 5 g/d (95% CI: 1, 8 g/d; P = 0.006) in the intervention group compared with the control group. Buil-Cosiales et al (29) showed that a 10-g increase in fiber from ,25 g/d to .35 g/d was associated with CCA IMT 0.051 mm lower, and only fiber consumption from fruit was inversely associated with CCA IMT. In addition, potassium intake was increased by 492 mg/d (95% CI: 94, 889 mg/d; P = 0.02) in the intervention group compared with the control group at 12 mo.…”

Could dyslipidemic children benefit from glucomannan intake?

“…The intake of fibers contained in cereals, fruits, and vegetables [24], as part of a correct dietary regimen, further ameliorates lipid profile [25]. In particular, fruit consumption appears to be inversely correlated to the carotid intima-media thickness (an established surrogate marker of CVD) in adults [26]. In children, fiber intake should conventionally correspond (in weight) to years of age plus 5 g/d [2].…”