Lower inflammation markers
- Published in
- JAMA 2003
- People studied
- 120
In a 2-year trial of 120 women with obesity, a lower-calorie Mediterranean-style diet with more activity lowered CRP and other blood markers of inflammation more than general advice.
- Checked against
- PubMed 12684358
- Published in
- JAMA 2003
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
In this Italian trial, 120 women with obesity, before menopause, were randomly assigned to detailed advice on a lower-calorie Mediterranean-style diet and more activity, or to general healthy-living information. After 2 years, BMI had fallen by about 4 points more in the programme group, and CRP, a blood marker of inflammation, by 1.6 mg/L more. Two other inflammation markers, IL-6 and IL-18, also fell, and adiponectin, a hormone from fat tissue linked with better blood sugar control, rose. Changes in IL-6 and adiponectin went with better insulin sensitivity, meaning the body responded better to insulin.
At a glance
- Type of study
- randomised trial
- People studied
- 120
- How long
- 2 years
- Compared with
- general information on healthy food and exercise
- Main result
- BMI fell about 4 points more, and the inflammation marker CRP 1.6 mg/L more, than in the comparison group.
- Strength of evidence
- Randomised trials
What this study does not show
Only younger women without diabetes, high blood pressure or high blood fats, at one hospital. Lower markers on their own do not show fewer heart attacks.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
More on fat
- Less fat around the organsSmall or uncontrolled studies · Gepner et al., Circulation 2018
- Deep fat can go tooLong-term or observational studies · Verheggen et al., Obes Rev 2016
- Less fat inside the bellySmall or uncontrolled studies · Ross et al., Ann Intern Med 2000
- Lower inflammation markersRandomised trials · Esposito et al., JAMA 2003
- More exercise, less deep fatRandomised trials · Recchia et al., Br J Sports Med 2023
- Smaller waist, less inflammationRandomised trials · Rahimi et al., Biol Res Nurs 2022
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