C - reactive protein (CRP) levels are not affected in participants consuming the equivalent of 2 and 4 egg yolks/day while on cholesterol-lowering medication

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease events with elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) has been reported. While there are reports that increased serum levels of cholesterol and CRP are associated, it is not known if the actual intake of dietary cholesterol affects CRP levels.

Older adults > 60 years of age and taking cholesterol lowering medications for at least 3 months are being recruited into the study.

At this point 26 participants have completed the 18-week study consisting of 4 phases. Phases 1 and 3 consist of 4 weeks during which participants refrain from consuming eggs. During phases 2 and 4, individuals consume food items containing the equivalent of 2 and 4 egg yolks per day, respectively for 5 weeks. CRP levels determined twice for each phase were not influenced by dietary cholesterol intakes >1,000 mg/day.

Results from this preliminary study do not support an association between dietary cholesterol intake and CRP levels in older adults.

Reference

Goodrow EF, Nicolosi R, Vishwanathan R, Wilson T (2007) C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are not affected in participants consuming the equivalent of 2 and 4 egg yolks/day while on cholesterol-lowering medication.  The Journal of the Federation of Experimental Biology, 21:847.4