2024-2025 Grant in Aid of Research
To what extent do participants experience changes in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
levels during a 14-day total vegetarian dietary intervention?
Sebastian Matula
Since the middle of the 20th century, non-communicable diseases have become the most common diseases in the Western part of the world. It has been shown that lifestyle behavioral risk factors play a key role in the progression of these chronic disease. Research is also clear that low-grade systemic inflammation is such a vital factor for health. A biomarker for measurement that has been used is serum levels of hs-CRP.
Aims and Purpose: Numerous studies have been conducted about the role of a total vegetarian diet to decrease low-grade systemic inflammation and hs-CRP. The majority of the studies have had a focus on the quality of the intervention but not the time aspect. In other words, how long or short intervention is needed to get results. This study is seeking to investigate both of these aspects with a focus on the time element by asking: what measurable impact does a 14 day total vegetarian dietary intervention have on lowering hs-CRP serum levels.
Methods: 25 study participants will join the 14 days long intervention. There will be measurements made of the participants hs-CRP serum levels before the trial and after the trial to discover any measurable change.
Results: Our hypothesis is that a 14-day total vegetarian dietary intervention will result in a statistically significant decrease in hs-CRP levels among participants.