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Proinflammatory Diet Increases Circulating Inflammatory Biomarkers and Falls Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Men

  • Mavil May C. Cervo
  • , David Scott
  • , Markus J. Seibel
  • , Robert G. Cumming
  • , Vasi Naganathan
  • , Fiona M. Blyth
  • , David G. Le Couteur
  • , David J. Handelsman
  • , Rosilene V. Ribeiro
  • , Louise M. Waite
  • , Nitin Shivappa
  • , James R. Hebert
  • , Vasant Hirani

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The relations between diet, chronic inflammation, and musculoskeletal health are unclear, especially among older men. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine associations of the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) with inflammatory biomarkers, musculoskeletal health, and falls risk in community-dwelling older men. METHODS: The cross-sectional analysis included 794 community-dwelling men, mean age 81.1 ± 4.5 y, who participated in the 5-y follow-up of the Concord Health and Aging in Men Project. Of these, 616 were seen again 3 y later for the longitudinal analysis. Energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) was calculated from a validated diet history questionnaire. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using DXA. Twenty-four inflammatory biomarkers were analyzed. Incident falls over 3 y were determined through telephone interviews every 4 mo. Multiple regression, linear mixed effects models, negative binomial regression, and mediation analysis were utilized in this study. RESULTS: A higher E-DII score (indicating a more proinflammatory diet) was associated with higher concentrations of IL-6 (β: 0.028 pg/mL; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.053), IL-7 (β: 0.020 pg/mL; 95% CI: 0.002, 0.037), and TNF-α (β: 0.027 pg/mL; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.051). A higher E-DII score was also associated with lower appendicular lean mass adjusted for BMI (ALMBMI) (β: -0.006 kg/m2; 95% CI: -0.010, -0.001). For every unit increase in E-DII (range: -4.91 to +3.66 units), incident falls rates increased by 13% (incidence rate ratio: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.21) over 3 y. Mediation analysis showed that the association between E-DII and 3-y incident falls was influenced by the concentrations of IL-7 by 24%. There was no association between E-DII and BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of a proinflammatory diet was associated with increased concentrations of IL-6, IL-7, and TNF-α; increased falls risk; and lower ALMBMI in community-dwelling older men. The association between incident falls and E-DII was partly mediated by concentrations of IL-7.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)373-381
Number of pages9
JournalThe Journal of Nutrition
Volume150
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2020

Keywords

  • bone mineral density
  • chronic inflammation
  • community-dwelling older men
  • dietary inflammatory index
  • falls
  • inflammatory biomarkers

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