@inproceedings{KoederHahnEnglert2021,
  author    = {Koeder, Christian and Hahn, Andreas and Englert, Heike},
  title     = {A plant-based diet and healthy lifestyle lower C-reactive protein levels},
  series = {Complement Med Res},
  booktitle = {Complement Med Res},
  doi       = {10.1159/000514476},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:836-opus-131847},
  pages     = {6 -- 7},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Introduction: Many disease processes are accompanied and promoted by increased inflammation in the body. Increased concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the blood are an indicator of subclinical inflammation, increased disease risk, and an increased risk of early death. A healthy plant-based diet and increased physical activity have been shown to reduce hs-CRP concentrations. Objectives: Our objective was to test if a healthy lifestyle intervention program can improve hs-CRP levels and other risk factors. Methodology: We are conducting a non-randomized, controlled intervention study with 6 times of measurement (baseline, after 2.5, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months). Participants in the intervention group (n = 104) took part in a 2.5-month intensive lifestyle program focusing on a plant-based diet (PBD), physical activity, stress management and group support. Currently they are in the less intensive phase (monthly seminars) which will be completed after 24 months. The control group (n = 62) did not take part in any program. In both groups hs-CRP was assessed, and participants with an infection/common cold at any of the times of measurement were excluded from the analyses. Results: In the intervention group (n = 97) we observed a reduction in hsCRP from baseline to 2.5 months (p < 0.001). In the control group (n = 46) hs-CRP levels increased non-significantly. The changes from baseline to 2.5 months were significantly different between intervention and control (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Our program led to a clinically relevant reduction in hs-CRP. Continued follow-up will show if this improvement can be maintained in the intervention group. Our study confirms that a PBD and healthier lifestyle choices can lower hs-CRP.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KoederHahnEnglert2021,
  author    = {Koeder, Christian and Hahn, Andreas and Englert, Heike},
  title     = {Effect of a 6-Month Controlled Lifestyle Intervention on Common Carotid Intima-Media Thickness},
  series = {The journal of nutrition, health \& aging},
  journal   = {The journal of nutrition, health \& aging},
  doi       = {10.1007/s12603-021-1628-0},
  year      = {2021},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KoederHusainKranzetal.2022,
  author    = {Koeder, Christian and Husain, Sarah and Kranz, Ragna-Marie and Anand, Corinna and Alzughayyar, Dima and Schoch, Nora and Hahn, Andrea and Englert, Heike},
  title     = {Healthy lifestyle changes favourably affect common carotid intima-media thickness: the Healthy Lifestyle Community Programme (cohort 2)},
  series = {Journal of Nutritional Science},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Journal of Nutritional Science},
  doi       = {10.1017/jns.2022.46},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Common carotid intima-media thickness (ccIMT) progression is a risk marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD), whereas healthy lifestyle habits are associated with lower ccIMT. The objective of the present study was to test whether a healthy lifestyle intervention can beneficially affect ccIMT progression. A community-based non-randomised, controlled lifestyle intervention was conducted, focusing on a predominantly plant-based diet (strongest emphasis), physical activity, stress management and social health. Assessments of ccIMT were made at baseline, 6 months and 1 year. Participants had an average age of 57 years and were recruited from the general population in rural northwest Germany (intervention: n 114; control: n 87). From baseline to 1 year, mean ccIMT significantly increased in both the intervention (0⋅026 [95 \% CI 0⋅012, 0⋅039] mm) and control group (0⋅045 [95 \% CI 0⋅033, 0⋅056] mm). The 1-year trajectory of mean ccIMT was lower in the intervention group (P = 0⋅022; adjusted for baseline). In a subgroup analysis with participants with high baseline mean ccIMT (≥0⋅800 mm), mean ccIMT non-significantly decreased in the intervention group (-0⋅016 [95 \% CI -0⋅050, 0⋅017] mm; n 18) and significantly increased in the control group (0⋅065 [95 \% CI 0⋅033, 0⋅096] mm; n 12). In the subgroup, the 1-year trajectory of mean ccIMT was significantly lower in the intervention group (between-group difference: -0⋅051 [95 \% CI -0⋅075, -0⋅027] mm; P < 0⋅001; adjusted for baseline). The results indicate that healthy lifestyle changes may beneficially affect ccIMT within 1 year, particularly if baseline ccIMT is high.},
  language  = {en}
}