The reported diet-induced changes in monocytes is not surprising, as fasting reduces circulating monocytes, particularly CD14+CD16+ intermediate monocytes, and reduced peripheral monocyte number has been linked to dietary protein and glucose.77 Further, because monocytes participate in the progression of atherosclerotic lesions and CD14+CD16+ intermediate monocytes have been associated with heart disease, these AD-associated changes may be clinically relevant.78–80. This evidence concerns the gene CD14 and heart disorder.