Abstract 151: Association of vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet with inflammatory biomarkers in healthy North Indian population

Background: Low-grade chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for the development of age-related diseases such as CVD, diabetes and some cancers, these findings have stimulated research into the influence of nutrition and dietary patterns on inflammatory indices. Aims and Objective: To assess the effect of plant based vs. animal origin diets on serum markers of inflammation in normal healthy individuals. Results: 275 non-vegetarians and 353 vegetarians were included in the study. Weight and BMI was significantly higher in the vegetarians. Both fasting blood glucose and Insulin level were significantly higher in vegetarians, while total cholesterol, HDL, triglyceride and LDL was significantly higher in the non-vegetarians. Serum ALT and ALP was significantly higher and total protein and albumin was lower in vegetarian group. The serum level of IL-6, IL-1, resistin and CRP was significantly higher in vegetarian, while the levels of IL-10, adiponectin were significantly raised in non-vegetarian group. BMI had significant positive correlation with TNFα, IL-6, Resistin, hsCRP and IL-1 β, protein intake had significant negative correlation with TNFα, IL-6, and hsCRP. Conclusion: Vegetarian diet in Indians is associated with higher BMI, blood glucose and insulin level. Non-vegetarian diet is associated with a more favorable inflammatory cytokine profile.