Olive oil intake and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Background: Currently, the reported links between olive oil intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer morbidity and mortality, and all-cause mortality are inconsistent. The aim of this meta-analysis is to study the reported correlations of olive oil intake with CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and cancer incidence and mortality, and all-cause mortality. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched until March 7, 2024. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by the random-effects model. Nonlinear dose-response relationships were modeled with restricted cubic splines. This study has been registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023419001). Results: Overall, 30 articles covering 2 710 351 participants were identified. Higher olive oil intake was linked with a reduced risk of CVD incidence (RR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.93), CHD incidence (RR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.99), CVD mortality (RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.88), and all-cause mortality (RR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.89). For a 10 g d-1 increment of olive oil intake, the risk of CVD incidence, stroke incidence, CVD mortality, and all-cause mortality decreased by 7%, 5%, 8%, and 8%, respectively. No association was found between olive oil intake and cancer incidence and mortality. Nonlinear relationships between olive oil intake and CVD and all-cause mortality were observed, with a reduced risk from intakes ranging from 0 to 18 g d-1 and 0 to 22 g d-1, respectively. Conclusion: Our study found that high olive oil intake was related to a lower risk of CVD and CHD incidence and CVD mortality and all-cause mortality.

Validity and reliability study of the Mediterranean Lifestyle Index: Turkish adaptation

Objective

The Mediterranean Lifestyle Index (MEDLIFE) differs from similar scales in that it concurrently includes diet and lifestyle. The current study translated MEDLIFE into Turkish, and assessed its reliability and validity.

Methods

A questionnaire was administered to 300 individuals 19-65 years of age. The questionnaire was subsequently re-administered to 87 research participants. The questionnaire, asking for general information, MEDLIFE, and information regarding anthropometric measurements, was sent to the users of an online platform. The scale was converted into the applicable Turkish form by an expert group. Test-retest reliability was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). In addition, kappa coefficients (k) and Bland-Altman graphs were determined for each item to assess reliability.

Results

The mean scores before and after were 14.5 ± 3.68 and 14.3 ± 3.81, respectively, and the intercorrelation coefficient r was 0.817 for test-re-test reliability.

Conclusion

The validity and reliability of the scale in the Turkish language was confirmed. This study is the first to translate MEDLIFE into another language and may aid in assessing the scale's adaptability to other languages. Food consumption record and physical activity record studies must be performed to ensure validity.

The association of the healthy eating index with risk of colorectal cancers (overall and by subsite) among Canadians

BACKGROUND

Healthy dietary patterns characterized by high intake of fruits and vegetables, grains/cereals, and lean meat/fish, and low intake of red/processed meats and refined carbohydrates, have been shown to be associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer, but evidence regarding their association with colorectal cancer subsites is limited. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the association of a healthy dietary pattern, as reflected in the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) (a composite score based on consumption of various food groups), with risk of colorectal cancer, overall and by subsite.

METHODS

We conducted a case-cohort study in the Canadian Study of Diet, Lifestyle and Health (CSDLH). The study included all cases of incident colorectal cancer in the entire cohort, and an age-stratified subcohort of 3185 women and 2622 men. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for the association between the HEI and the risk of colorectal cancer, overall and by subsite. We also assessed the association by sex and by selected metabolic factors.

RESULTS

For both sexes combined, the highest quintile of the HEI score was inversely associated with risk of colorectal cancer, colon cancer and proximal colon cancer (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0. 49-0.85, HR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.44-0.83 and HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.35-0.85, respectively). However, these associations were mostly observed among men (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.38-0.81, HR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.28-0.69 and HR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.12-0.56, for colorectal cancer, colon cancer and proximal colon cancer, respectively; p-interactions=0.029, 0.032 and 0.063, respectively). An inverse association was also observed between the HEI and risk of colorectal cancer among normal weight participants, overweight/obese participants, non-smokers, non-alcohol drinkers and participants who were physically inactive.

CONCLUSION

A healthy dietary pattern may reduce risk of colorectal cancer, particularly among men.

Gut Microbiota, Metabolome, and Body Composition Signatures of Response to Therapy in Patients with Advanced Melanoma

Despite the recent breakthroughs in targeted and immunotherapy for melanoma, the overall survival rate remains low. In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to the gut microbiota and other modifiable patient factors (e.g., diet and body composition), though their role in influencing therapeutic responses has yet to be defined. Here, we characterized a cohort of 31 patients with unresectable IIIC-IV-stage cutaneous melanoma prior to initiation of targeted or first-line immunotherapy via the following methods: (i) fecal microbiome and metabolome via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, respectively, and (ii) anthropometry, body composition, nutritional status, physical activity, biochemical parameters, and immunoprofiling. According to our data, patients subsequently classified as responders were obese (i.e., with high body mass index and high levels of total, visceral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular adipose tissue), non-sarcopenic, and enriched in certain fecal taxa (e.g., Phascolarctobacterium) and metabolites (e.g., anethole), which were potentially endowed with immunostimulatory and oncoprotective activities. On the other hand, non-response was associated with increased proportions of Streptococcus, Actinomyces, Veillonella, Dorea, Fusobacterium, higher neutrophil levels (and a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio), and higher fecal levels of butyric acid and its esters, which also correlated with decreased survival. This exploratory study provides an integrated list of potential early prognostic biomarkers that could improve the clinical management of patients with advanced melanoma, in particular by guiding the design of adjuvant therapeutic strategies to improve treatment response and support long-term health improvement.

Why Does Obesity as an Inflammatory Condition Predispose to Colorectal Cancer?

Obesity is a complex and multifactorial problem of global importance. Additionally, obesity causes chronic inflammation, upregulates cell growth, disturbs the immune system, and causes genomic instability, increasing the risk of carcinogenesis. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers, and it has become a global problem. In 2018, there were around 1.8 million new cases and around 881,000 deaths worldwide. Another risk factor of colorectal cancer associated with obesity is poor diet. A Western diet, including a high intake of red and processed meat and a low consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fiber, may increase the risk of both colorectal cancer and obesity. Moreover, the Western diet is associated with a proinflammatory profile diet, which may also affect chronic low-grade inflammation. In fact, people with obesity often present gut dysbiosis, increased inflammation, and risk of colorectal cancer. In this article, the association between obesity and colorectal cancer is discussed, including the most important mechanisms, such as low-grade chronic inflammation, gut dysbiosis, and poor diet.

Effect of olive oil consumption on cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Some large prospective studies on olive oil consumption and risk of chronic disease suggested protective effects.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted an outcome-wide systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the association between olive oil consumption and the primary risk of 4 different outcomes: cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, type 2 diabetes (T2D) or all-cause mortality through January 2022.

METHODS

Thirty-six studies were included in the systematic review and twenty-seven studies (24 prospective cohorts and 3 different reports from one RCT) were assessed in 4 quantitative random-effects meta-analyses. They included a total of 806,203 participants with 49,223 CVD events; 1,285,064 participants with 58,892 incident cases of cancer; 680,239 participants with 13,389 incident cases of T2D; and 733,420 participants with 174,081 deaths. Olive oil consumption was most frequently measured with validated food frequency questionnaires. Studies follow-up ranged between 3.7 and 28 years.

RESULTS

A 16% reduced risk of CVD (relative risk [RR]: 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76 to 0.94), standardized for every additional olive oil consumption of 25 g/d was found. No significant association with cancer risk was observed (RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.03, per 25 g/d). Olive oil consumption was associated with a 22% lower relative risk of T2D (RR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.87, per 25 g/d) without evidence of heterogeneity. Similarly, it was inversely associated with all-cause mortality (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.85 to 0.93, per 25 g/d). Only the results for T2D were homogeneous. Specific sources of heterogeneity for the other 3 outcomes were not always apparent.

CONCLUSIONS

Prospective studies supported a beneficial association of olive oil consumption with CVD, T2D and all-cause mortality, but they did not show any association with cancer risk.

Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Comprehensive Review on Nutritional Approaches

Neuroendocrine neoplasms are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with increasing incidence, high prevalence, and survival worldwide. About 90% of cases are well differentiated forms, the so-called neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), with slow proliferation rates and prolonged survival but frequent development of liver metastases and endocrine syndromes. Both the tumor itself and systemic therapy may have an impact on patient nutrition. Malnutrition has a negative impact on outcome in patients with NETs, as well as obesity. In addition, obesity and metabolic syndrome have been shown to be risk factors for both the development and prognosis of NET. Therefore, dietary assessment based on body composition and lifestyle modifications should be an integral part of the treatment of NET patients. Nutrition plans, properly formulated by a dietician, are an integral part of the multidisciplinary treatment team for patients with NETs because they allow an improvement in quality of life, providing a tailored approach based on nutritional needs and nutritional manageable signs and/or symptoms related to pharmacological treatment. The aim of this review is to condense the latest evidence on the role of the most used dietary models, the Mediterranean diet, the ketogenic diet, and intermittent fasting, in the context of NETs, while considering the clinical and molecular mechanisms by which these dietary models act.

The Relationship Between Plant-Based Diet and Risk of Digestive System Cancers: A Meta-Analysis Based on 3,059,009 Subjects

Background and Objectives

Diets containing red or processed meat are associated with a growing risk of digestive system cancers. Whether a plant-based diet is protective against cancer needs a high level of statistical evidence.

Methods

We performed a meta-analysis of five English databases, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science databases, and Scopus, on October 24, 2021 to identify published papers. Cohort studies or case-control studies that reported a relationship between plant-based diets and cancers of the digestive system were included. Summary effect-size estimates are expressed as Risk ratios (RRs) or Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals and were evaluated using random-effect models. The inconsistency index (I²) and τ² (Tau²) index were used to quantify the magnitude of heterogeneity derived from the random-effects Mantel-Haenszel model.

Results

The same results were found in cohort (adjusted RR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.78–0.86, P < 0.001, I² = 46.4%, Tau² = 0.017) and case-control (adjusted OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.64–0.77, P < 0.001, I² = 83.8%, Tau² = 0.160) studies. The overall analysis concluded that plant-based diets played a protective role in the risk of digestive system neoplasms. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the plant-based diets reduced the risk of cancers, especially pancreatic (adjusted RR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.59–0.86, P < 0.001, I² = 55.1%, Tau² = 0.028), colorectal (adjusted RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69–0.83, P < 0.001, I² = 53.4%, Tau² = 0.023), rectal (adjusted RR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.78–0.91, P < 0.001, I² = 1.6%, Tau² = 0.005) and colon (adjusted RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82–0.95, P < 0.001, I² = 0.0%, Tau² = 0.000) cancers, in cohort studies. The correlation between vegan and other plant-based diets was compared using Z-tests, and the results showed no difference.

Conclusions

Plant-based diets were protective against cancers of the digestive system, with no significant differences between different types of cancer.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022322276, Identifier: CRD42022322276.

Associations of Evolutionary-Concordance Diet and Lifestyle Pattern Scores with Incident, Sporadic Colorectal Adenoma in a Pooled Case-Control Study

Differences in diet and lifestyle relative to those of our Paleolithic-era ancestors may explain current high incidences of chronic diseases, including colorectal cancer (CRC), in Westernized countries. Previously reported evolutionary-concordance diet and lifestyle pattern scores, reflecting closeness of diet and lifestyle patterns to those of Paleolithic-era humans, were associated with lower CRC incidence. Separate and joint associations of the scores with colorectal adenoma among men and women are unknown. To address this, we pooled data from three case-control studies of incident, sporadic colorectal adenomas (n = 771 cases, 1,990 controls), used participants' responses to food frequency and lifestyle questionnaires to calculate evolutionary-concordance diet and lifestyle pattern scores, and estimated the scores' associations with adenomas using multivariable unconditional logistic regression. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios comparing those in the highest relative to the lowest diet and lifestyle score quintiles were 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62, 1.12; P_trend:0.03) and 0.41 (95% CI 0.29, 0.59; P_trend:<0.0001), respectively. The inverse associations were stronger for high-risk adenomas, and among those with both high relative to those with both low diet and lifestyle scores. These results suggest that more evolutionary-concordant diet and lifestyle patterns, separately and jointly, may be associated with lower risk for incident, sporadic colorectal adenoma.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2021.2002919 .

Olive oil intake and cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Research evidence has established the beneficial effects of diet in cancer prevention; various epidemiological studies have suggested that olive oil component could play a role in decreasing cancer risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the association between olive oil consumption, cancer risk and prognosis.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases (end-of-search: May 10, 2020). Pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated with random-effects (DerSimonian-Laird) models. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses and meta-regression analysis were also performed.

RESULTS

45 studies were included in the meta-analysis; 37 were case-control (17,369 cases and 28,294 controls) and 8 were cohort studies (12,461 incident cases in a total cohort of 929,771 subjects). Highest olive oil consumption was associated with 31% lower likelihood of any cancer (pooled RR = 0.69, 95%CI: 0.62-0.77), breast (RR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.52-0.86), gastrointestinal (RR = 0.77, 95%CI: 0.66-0.89), upper aerodigestive (RR = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.60-0.91) and urinary tract cancer (RR = 0.46, 95%CI: 0.29-0.72). Significant overall effects spanned both Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean participants, studies presenting a multivariate and a univariate analysis and all subgroups by study quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Olive oil consumption seems to exert beneficial actions in terms of cancer prevention. Additional prospective cohort studies on various cancer types and survivors, as well as large randomized trials, seem desirable.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet among adults in Mediterranean countries: a systematic literature review

BACKGROUND AND AIM

While the Mediterranean diet (MD) is promoted in non-Mediterranean countries, inhabitants of Mediterranean countries seem to be shifting away from this healthy diet. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of MD adherence in the general adult population of Mediterranean countries.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines and registered in the Prospero database (CRD42020189337). Literature was searched in PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases for studies published from 2010 up to and including 2021. The following inclusion criteria were used: age 18 years and older, sample size > 1000 participants, and using a validated MD adherence score. Studies that only included participants with nutrition-related or other severe chronic disorders, as well as studies that only included specific subpopulations (e.g., pregnant women), were excluded in order to focus on the general adult population. A quality analysis of the included studies was done using the NCCMT scale.

RESULTS

A total of 50 studies were included. The number of participants in the included studies ranged between 1013 and 94,113. Most of the included studies pertained to the European Mediterranean countries, with fewer studies from the Middle Eastern and North African Mediterranean countries. The vast majority of the included studies reported low or moderate MD adherence, both based on the mean adherence as well as the low or moderate adherence category often being the most prevalent. There were no clear differences noted between sex and age groups. The quality assessment generally showed weak or moderate scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Mediterranean populations have been showing moderate adherence to MD in the past 10 years, indicating room for improving adherence to the MD in countries of its origin.

The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review

Simple Summary

This systematic review sifted through the exogenous dietary and lifestyle risk factors associated with early-onset colorectal cancer, going through the putative involvement of these exogenous risk factors in epigenetic and microbiota modifications. Given the burden of early-onset colorectal cancer and its globally increasing trend with scant literature on its pathogenesis, we believe it would be of benefit to highlight the importance of further systematic and large studies. Indeed, dietary and lifestyle modification could complement colorectal screening for early-onset colorectal cancer prevention.

Abstract

The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer, defined as colorectal cancer occurring in young adults under the age of 50, is increasing globally. Knowledge of the etiological factors in young adults is far from complete. Questionable eoCRCs’ exogenous factors are represented by processed meat, sugary drinks, alcohol, Western dietary pattern, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking, though with heterogeneous results. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to summarize the current evidence on the role of diet and lifestyle as eoCRC risk factors. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE up to July 2021, for original studies evaluating diet, alcohol, physical activity, BMI, and smoking in eoCRC and included twenty-six studies. Indeed, the exogenous factors could represent modifiable key factors, whose recognition could establish areas of future interventions through public health strategies for eoCRC primary prevention. Additionally, we discussed the role of additional non-modifiable risk factors, and of epigenetic regulation and microbiota as mediators of the eoCRC triggered by diet and lifestyle.

Adherence to a Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern and Cancer Risk in a Prospective Cohort Study

A Mediterranean-style diet is a healthy eating pattern that may benefit cancer risk, but evidence among Americans is scarce. We examined the prospective association between adherence to such a diet pattern and total cancer risk. A Mediterranean-style dietary pattern (MSDP) score was derived from a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire at exam 5 (1991–1995). Subjects included 2966 participants of the Framingham Offspring Study who were free of prevalent cancer. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric measures. Cox-models were also used to examine effect modification by lifestyle and anthropometric measures. During 18 years of median follow-up, 259 women and 352 men were diagnosed with cancer. Women with moderate or higher adherence to the MSDP had ≥25% lower risks of cancer than women with the lowest MSDP (HR (moderate vs. lowest): 0.71, 95% CI: 0.52–0.97 and HR (highest vs. lowest): 0.74; 95% CI: 0.55–0.99). The association between MSDP score and cancer risk in men was weaker except in non-smokers. Beneficial effects of the MSDP in women were stronger among those who were not overweight. In this study, higher adherence to MSDP was associated with lower cancer risk, especially among women.

The Sulfur Microbial Diet Is Associated With Increased Risk of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Precursors

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Diet may contribute to the increasing incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) before age 50 (early-onset CRC). Microbial metabolism of dietary sulfur produces hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gastrointestinal carcinogen that cannot be easily measured at scale. As a result, evidence supporting its role in early neoplasia is lacking.

METHODS

We evaluated long-term adherence to the sulfur microbial diet, a dietary index defined a priori based on increased abundance of 43 bacterial species involved with sulfur metabolism, with risk of CRC precursors among 59,013 individuals who underwent lower endoscopy in the Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2015), a prospective cohort study with dietary assessment every 4 years through validated food frequency questionnaires and an assessment of dietary intake during adolescence in 1998. The sulfur microbial diet was characterized by intake high in processed meats, foods previously linked to CRC development, and low in mixed vegetables and legumes. Multivariable logistic regression for clustered data was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

We documented 2911 cases of early-onset adenoma. After adjusting for established risk factors, higher sulfur microbial diet scores were associated with increased risk for early-onset adenomas (ORquartile [Q]4 vs Q1, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.10-1.56, Ptrend = .02), but not serrated lesions. Compared with the lowest, women in the highest quartile of sulfur microbial diet scores had significantly increased risk of early-onset adenomas with greater malignant potential (ORQ4 vs Q1, 1.65 for villous/tubulovillous histology; 95% CI, 1.12-2.43; Ptrend = .04). Similar trends for early-onset adenoma were observed based on diet consumed during adolescence. In contrast, no clear association for adenomas was identified after age 50.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings in a cohort of young women support a role for dietary interactions with gut sulfur-metabolizing bacteria in early-onset colorectal carcinogenesis, possibly beginning in adolescence.

Evidence Update on the Relationship between Diet and the Most Common Cancers from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study: A Systematic Review

The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) is a multicentre prospective study conducted in 23 centres in 10 European countries. Here we review the findings from EPIC on the relationship between diet-related exposures and incidence or mortality from the four most frequent cancers in the European population: colorectal, breast, lung, and prostate cancer. We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and identified 110 high-quality studies based on the EPIC cohort. Fruit and vegetable consumption had a protective effect against colorectal, breast, and lung cancer, whereas only fruit had a protective effect against prostate cancer. A higher consumption of fish and lower consumption of red and processed meat were related with a lower risk of colorectal cancer; and higher consumption of fatty fish with lower risk of breast cancer. Calcium and yogurt intake were found to protect against colorectal and prostate cancer. Alcohol consumption increased the risk for colorectal and breast cancer. Finally, adherence to the Mediterranean diet emerged as a protective factor for colorectal and breast cancer. The EPIC study results are in agreement with the latest evidence from leading authorities on cancer prevention and help to inform public prevention policies and strategies.

Sodium and Potassium Content of Foods Consumed in an Italian Population and the Impact of Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet on Their Intake

High sodium and low potassium intakes are associated with increased levels of blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular diseases. Assessment of habitual dietary habits are helpful to evaluate their intake and adherence to healthy dietary recommendations. In this study, we determined sodium and potassium food-specific content and intake in a Northern Italy community, focusing on the role and contribution of adherence to Mediterranean diet patterns. We collected a total of 908 food samples and measured sodium and potassium content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, we assessed habitual dietary intake of 719 adult individuals of the Emilia-Romagna region. We then estimated sodium and potassium daily intake for each food based on their relative contribution to the overall diet, and their link to Mediterranean diet patterns. The estimated mean sodium intake was 2.15 g/day, while potassium mean intake was 3.37 g/day. The foods contributing most to sodium intake were cereals (33.2%), meat products (24.5%, especially processed meat), and dairy products (13.6%), and for potassium they were meat (17.1%, especially red and white meat), fresh fruits (15.7%), and vegetables (15.1%). Adherence to a Mediterranean diet had little influence on sodium intake, whereas potassium intake was greatly increased in subjects with higher scores, resulting in a lower sodium/potassium ratio. Although we may have underestimated dietary sodium intake by not including discretionary salt use and there may be some degree of exposure misclassification as a result of changes in food sodium content and dietary habits over time, our study provides an overview of the contribution of a wide range of foods to the sodium and potassium intake in a Northern Italy community and of the impact of a Mediterranean diet on intake. The mean sodium intake was above the dietary recommendations for adults of 1.5–2 g/day, whilst potassium intake was only slightly lower than the recommended 3.5 g/day. Our findings suggest that higher adherence to Mediterranean diet patterns has limited effect on restricting sodium intake, but may facilitate a higher potassium intake, thereby aiding the achievement of healthy dietary recommendations.

[Mediterranean Diet and Cancer.]

INTRODUCTION

Cancer still being one of the main causes of death worldwide, representing a major health issue. Mediterranean Diet (MD) can have an important paper in lowering cancer incidence.

OBJECTIVES/METHODS

We performed a bibliographic review searching for evidence demonstrating the protective role of the MD against cancer and exposition of the main results.

RESULTS

Several studies show evidence on the protective effect of the Mediterranean Diet against cancer development. As a lifestyle, MD includes healthy dietary and social habits and is linked to frequent physical activity, all of this, when is maintained on time, has a preventing role on the appearance of cancer. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects of certain products frequently found in the MD are responsible for this protection. Moreover, the MD also prevents overweight and obesity, which are also directly related to the development of certain cancer types.

CONCLUSION

There is scientific evidence on the protective role of the Mediterranean Diet on cancer prevention.

Introducing Plant-Based Mediterranean Diet as a Lifestyle Medicine Approach in Latin America: Opportunities Within the Chilean Context

Latin America is experiencing a significant epidemiological and nutritional transition, with a trend toward higher incidence of food-related chronic diseases. In this context, Lifestyle Medicine (LM) is a growing field focused on assisting individuals in adopting healthy behaviors for the prevention and treatment of these chronic diseases, including, among other pillars, a great emphasis on healthy eating. There is also a growing interest worldwide in environmental sustainability of dietary patterns, with increasing concern about their effects on planetary health. In this context, whole-food, plant-based diets -such as the Mediterranean diet (MD)- have emerged as a solution for both healthier eating and lowering environmental impact. Yet in order to be effective at these goals and achieve a high adherence to any nutritional prescription, the sociocultural reality of the community or population where we aim to practice must also be taken into account. In this review, we specifically highlight the plant-based MD as a LM-contextualized dietary pattern that is adaptable, applicable, and sustainable within the Chilean context and has the potential to address the current trend of chronic diseases in our country.

Potato Consumption and Risk of Site-Specific Cancers in Adults: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

The etiology of cancer type may vary significantly due to anatomy, embryology, and physiology of the cancer site. Although the association between potato consumption and colorectal cancer (CRC) was summarized in a 2018 meta-analysis of 5 cohort studies, to the best of our knowledge, no meta-analysis has evaluated potato consumption in relation to multiple cancer sites in adults. Medline/PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for relevant publications through August 2020. We selected cohort or case-control studies conducted in adults that reported risk estimates (relative risk [RRs], HRs, and ORs) of potato intake for any cancer type. Random effects meta-analyses compared high and low intake categories. Twenty prospective cohort studies (total n = 785,348) including 19,882 incident cases, and 36 case-control studies (21,822 cases; 66,502 controls) were included. Among cohort studies, we did not find an association between high versus low intake of total potato (white and yellow) consumption and overall cancers: 1.04 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.11; tau2 = 0.005, n = 18). We found no relation between total potato consumption (high compared with low intake) and risk of CRC, pancreatic cancer, colon, gastric, breast, prostate, kidney, lung, or bladder cancer in cohort or case-control studies. We did not find an association between high versus low consumption of potato preparations (boiled/fried/mashed/roasted/baked) and risk of gastrointestinal-, sex-hormone-, or urinary-related cancers in cohort or case-control studies. Certainty of the evidence was low for total cancer, CRC, colon, rectal, renal, pancreatic, breast, prostate, and lung cancer and very low for gastric and bladder cancer. In conclusion, potato intake or potato preparations were not associated with multiple cancer sites when comparing high and low intake categories. This finding was consistent with the findings from the 2018 meta-analysis regarding potato intake and risk of CRC.

Mediterranean-Type Dietary Pattern and Physical Activity: The Winning Combination to Counteract the Rising Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (mainly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and type 2 diabetes) are the main causes of death worldwide. Their burden is expected to rise in the future, especially in less developed economies and among the poor spread across middle- and high-income countries. Indeed, the treatment and prevention of these pathologies constitute a crucial challenge for public health. The major non-communicable diseases share four modifiable behavioral risk factors: unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco usage and excess of alcohol consumption. Therefore, the adoption of healthy lifestyles, which include not excessive alcohol intake, no smoking, a healthy diet and regular physical activity, represents a crucial and economical strategy to counteract the global NCDs burden. This review summarizes the latest evidence demonstrating that Mediterranean-type dietary pattern and physical activity are, alone and in combination, key interventions to both prevent and control the rise of NCDs.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of diet quality and colorectal cancer risk: is the evidence of sufficient quality to develop recommendations?

The quality of existing evidence about the impact of diet quality on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk has only rarely been assessed. In the current review, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and the resulting references (up to January 2020) for studies that evaluated the role of high diet quality by extreme dietary index categorization and the risk of CRC. Two researchers independently performed the study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. We then applied a random-effects meta-analysis to estimate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CRC at the extremes of each dietary index, and we assessed the quality of the pooled results using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. A high diet quality was significantly associated with reduced CRC risk when patients had a low Diet Inflammatory Index score (OR, 0.66; 95%CI, 0.56-0.78), a high Mediterranean Diet Score (OR, 0.84; 95%CI, 0.78-0.90), high Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension adherence (OR, 0.83; 95%CI, 0.78-0.89), and a high Healthy Eating Index score (OR, 0.72; 95%CI, 0.64-0.80). The pooled results for all dietary indices were rated as being of low quality due to concerns over inconsistency or imprecision. We conclude that, despite a high diet quality appearing to have a preventive role in CRC, the evidence is currently of insufficient quality to develop dietary recommendations.

Gut microbiota composition after diet and probiotics in overweight breast cancer survivors: a randomized open-label pilot intervention trial

OBJECTIVES

Breast cancer (BC) is the most diagnosed cancer in women. Increasing survival rates shift attention to preventive strategies. Obesity and intestinal microbiota composition may be associated with BC. A Mediterranean diet (MD) proved to be protective. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of probiotics in addition to an MD versus diet alone in influencing gut microbiota and metabolic profile in overweight BC survivors.

METHODS

A total of 34 BC survivors were randomly assigned to an MD for 4 mo plus 1 sachet/d of probiotics (Bifidobacterium longum BB536, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001) for the first 2 mo (intervention group, n = 16) or an MD alone for 4 mo (control group, n = 18). Anthropometric and nutritional assessments, adherence to the MD, compliance with physical activity, and metabolic parameters dosage were performed at baseline (T0), at 2 mo (T2), and at 4 mo (T4). Intestinal microbiota analysis was performed at T0 and T2.

RESULTS

After 2 mo of probiotic administration the number of bacterial species (P = 0.01) and the bacterial diversity assessed with the Chao1 index (P = 0.004) significantly increased; no significant variations were detected after diet alone. The Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes ratio significantly decreased in the intervention group and increased in controls (P = 0.004). Significant reductions of body weight, body mass index, fasting glucose, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were identified at T4 in both groups; in the intervention group waist circumference (P = 0.012), waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0.045), and fasting insulin (P = 0.017) also significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Probiotics in addition to an MD positively influence gut microbiota and improve metabolic and anthropometric parameters compared with an MD alone.

Revisiting the impact of lifestyle on colorectal cancer risk in a gender perspective

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. Patterns and trends in CRC incidence and mortality correlate with increasing adoption of Western lifestyles and with the overweight/obesity epidemic. Both genetic background and a range of modifiable environmental/lifestyle factors play a role in CRC etiology. Among these the links of body weight, dietary patterns and physical activity (PA) behavior with CRC risk are some of the strongest for any type of cancer, with a different impact in women and men. Nonetheless, gender disparities still represent a neglected aspect of CRC management. This review sheds light on gender-related association of obesity and different dietary/PA habits with CRC risk, highlighting the importance of lifestyle modifications in the prevention of this neoplastic disease. In this scenario, intervention studies are strongly recommended to define the most effective dietary/PA regimens for primary prevention of cancer in women and men.

Knowledge, attitudes and eating habits red and processed meat among gym users: a cross-sectional survey

Aims:

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified red meat (RM) and processed meat (PM) intakes as ‘probably carcinogenic’ and ‘carcinogenic’ to humans, respectively. The aim of the study was to evaluate eating behaviours and knowledge on the potential risks of RM-PM consumption among gym users.

Methods:

In 2018, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 20 gyms in Turin using a 48-item questionnaire assessing sociodemographic, sports, dietary information and knowledge about RM-PM (sample size = 298). Multivariable logistic and linear regressions were performed. The significance level was p ⩽ 0.05.

Results:

Around 75% of the sample consumed RM and PM at least once a week, with an average of 240.55 ± 435.99 g and 106.50 ± 157.88 g consumed weekly, respectively. Only 7.69% exceeded 700 g of raw RM weekly. Females, those with higher education, those who practise sport outside gyms and those who declared to practise sport to stay healthy, declared to consume less RM. Those who practise sport at a competitive level, those who are on a diet for athletic needs, those with higher body mass index (BMI) and those who consume more eggs and alcohol had a higher RM intake. The association with PM consumption was negative for females and positive for those living without a partner. The likelihood of answering incorrectly to one of the knowledge outcomes was lower for those who had a healthcare-related background and declared to practise sport to stay healthy, while it was higher for participants who stated to have a sport-related background, to be on a diet to lose weight, to read rarely/never the RM-PM nutrition labels and to consume <400 g of fruit and vegetables daily.

Conclusions:

Given the relatively low knowledge of the potential risks of RM-PM consumption, it would be advisable to implement campaigns specifically focused on male athletes and people with lower socioeconomic status, in order to raise awareness about this topic.

Associations of dairy product consumption with mortality in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Italy cohort

BACKGROUND

The relation of dairy product consumption to health and mortality is controversial.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated associations of consumption of various dairy products with mortality in the Italian cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Italy study.

METHODS

Dairy product consumption was assessed by validated semiquantitative FFQs. Multivariable Cox models stratified by center, age, and sex and adjusted for confounders estimated associations of milk (total, full fat, and reduced fat), yogurt, cheese, butter, and dairy calcium consumption with mortality for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all causes. Nonlinearity was tested by restricted cubic spline regression.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 14.9 y, 2468 deaths were identified in 45,009 participants: 59% from cancer and 19% from cardiovascular disease. No significant association of consumption of any dairy product with mortality was found in the fully adjusted models. A 25% reduction in risk of all-cause mortality was found for milk intake from 160 to 120 g/d (HR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.91) but not for the highest (>200 g/d) category of intake (HR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.84, 1.08) compared with nonconsumption. Associations of full-fat and reduced-fat milk consumption with all-cause and cause-specific mortality were similar to those for milk as a whole.

CONCLUSIONS

In this Italian cohort characterized by low to average milk consumption, we found no evidence of a dose-response association between milk consumption and mortality and also no association of consumption of other dairy products investigated with mortality.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Minor Compounds Modulate Mitogenic Action of Oleic Acid on Colon Cancer Cell Line

Experimental and clinical findings suggest that olive oil has a protective effect, whereas oleic acid consumption induces colorectal cancer (CRC). Considering this apparent contradiction and that olive oil is a complex mix of fatty acids, mainly oleic acid and minor compounds such as phenolic compounds, lignans, hydrocarbons, and triterpenes, we study its effects on intestinal epithelial cell growth. Our results show that oleic acid (1-100 μM) but not elaidic acid induced DNA synthesis and Caco-2 cell growth (2-fold higher than cells without growth factors, p < 0.05). These effects were inhibited by 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors as well as the leukotriene antagonist (p < 0.05), suggesting the implication of this pathway in this mitogenic action. Hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, pinoresinol, squalene, and maslinic acid (0.1-10 μM) reverted DNA synthesis and Caco-2 cell growth induced by oleic acid. These effects were not the consequence of the cell cycle arrest or the impairment of cell viability with the exception of hydroxytyrosol and maslinic acid that induced cell detachment and apoptosis (35.6 ± 2.3 and 43.2 ± 2.4%, respectively) at the higher concentration assayed. Oleuropein effects can be related with hydroxytyrosol release as a consequence of oleuropein hydrolysis by Caco-2 cells (up to 25%). Furthermore, hydroxytyrosol modulates the arachidonic acid cascade, and this event can be associated with its antimitogenic action. In conclusion, oleic acid and oleic acid in the presence of olive oil representative minor components have opposite effects, suggesting that the consumption of seed oils, high oleic acid seed oils, or olive oil will probably have different effects on CRC.

Mediterranean diet adherence and risk of colorectal cancer: the prospective Netherlands Cohort Study

Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence has been associated with a large variety of health benefits. However, prospective studies investigating the relation between MD adherence and colorectal cancer risk had inconsistent results. In this analysis of the Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS), we evaluated sex- and subsite-specific associations of MD adherence with colorectal cancer risk. In 1986, 120,852 subjects filled out the NLCS baseline questionnaire, which incorporated a 150-item food frequency questionnaire. MD adherence was estimated through alternate Mediterranean diet scores including and excluding alcohol (aMED and aMEDr, respectively). Using 20.3 year follow-up data, 1993 male and 1574 female colorectal cancer cases could be included in multivariable case-cohort analyses. aMEDr was not significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk, regardless of sex. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) per two-point increment were 1.04 (0.95–1.13) for men and 0.97 (0.88–1.07) for women. Additionally, there was no evidence of an inverse association with any of the colorectal cancer subsites (colon, proximal colon, distal colon, and rectum). In women, the association between aMEDr and colorectal cancer risk was significantly modified by smoking status (P_interaction = 0.015). Comparable results were obtained for the original aMED including alcohol. In conclusion, higher MD adherence was not associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer or anatomical subsites in the context of a Dutch population.

Cancer and Mediterranean Diet: A Review

The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the most worldwide healthy dietary patterns thanks to a combination of foods rich mainly in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Many studies have demonstrated a strong and inverse relationship between a high level of Mediterranean diet adherence and some chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc.) and cancer. Given its protective effects in reducing oxidative and inflammatory processes of cells and avoiding DNA damages, cell proliferation, and their survival, angiogenesis, inflammations and metastasis, the Mediterranean diet is considered a powerful and manageable method to fight cancer incidence. The aim of this narrative review was to determine the magnitude of interaction between the Mediterranean diet and more widespread types of cancer so as to give a first and useful overview on this relationship identifying, with a nutritional approach, those nutrients of Mediterranean diet able to reduce cancer incidence.

Benefits of the Mediterranean diet: Epidemiological and molecular aspects

More than 50 years after the Seven Countries Study, a large number of epidemiological studies have explored the relationship between the Mediterranean diet (MD) and health, through observational, case-control, some longitudinal and a few experimental studies. The overall results show strong evidence suggesting a protective effect of the MD mainly on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and certain types of cancer. The beneficial effects have been attributed to the types of food consumed, total dietary pattern, components in the food, cooking techniques, eating behaviors and lifestyle behaviors, among others. The aim of this article is to review and summarize the knowledge derived from the literature focusing on the benefits of the MD on health, including those that have been extensively investigated (CVD, cancer) along with more recent issues such as mental health, immunity, quality of life, etc. The review begins with a brief description of the MD and its components. Then we present a review of studies evaluating metabolic biomarkers and genotypes in relation to the MD. Other sections are dedicated to observation and intervention studies for various pathologies. Finally, some insights into the relationship between the MD and sustainability are explored. In conclusion, the research undertaken on metabolomics approaches has identified potential markers for certain MD components and patterns, but more investigation is needed to obtain valid measures. Further evaluation of gene-MD interactions are also required to better understand the mechanisms by which the MD diet exerts its beneficial effects on health. Observation and intervention studies, particularly PREDIMED, have provided invaluable data on the benefits of the MD for a wide range of chronic diseases. However further research is needed to explore the effects of other lifestyle components associated with Mediterranean populations, its environmental impact, as well as the MD extrapolation to non-Mediterranean contexts.

DNA methylation, colon cancer and Mediterranean diet: results from the EPIC-Italy cohort

The biological mechanisms through which adherence to Mediterranean Diet (MD) protects against colon cancer (CC) are poorly understood. Evidence suggests that chronic inflammation may be implicated in the pathway. Both diet and CC are related to epigenetic regulation. We performed a nested case-control study on 161 pairs from the Italian component of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort, in which we looked for the methylation signals in DNA extracted from leucocytes associated with both CC and MD in 995 CpGs located in 48 inflammation genes. The DNA methylation signals detected in this analysis were validated in a subgroup of 47 case-control pairs and further replicated (where validated) in 95 new pairs by means of pyrosequencing. Among the CpG sites selected a-priori in inflammation-related genes, seven CpG sites were found to be associated with CC status and with MD, in line with its protective effect. Only two CpG sites (cg17968347-SERPINE1 and cg20674490-RUNX3) were validated using bisulphite pyrosequencing and, after replication, we found that DNA methylation of cg20674490-RUNX3 may be a potential molecular mediator explaining the protective effect of MD on CC onset. The use of a 'meet-in-the-middle' approach to identify the overlap between exposure and predictive markers of disease is innovative in studies on the relationship between diet and cancer, in which exposure assessment is difficult and the mechanisms through which the nutrients exert their protective effect is largely unknown.

Dietary habits affect fatty acid composition of visceral adipose tissue in subjects with colorectal cancer or obesity

PURPOSE

Aim of this study was to identify a possible relationship among dietary fatty acids (FA) intake, FA adipose tissue (AT) profile and cancer condition in lean vs obese subjects affected or not by colorectal cancer (CRC). Actually, inadequate dietary habits together with physical inactivity are primary determinants of obesity and cancer risk. Changes in lipid metabolism play a crucial role in different types of cancer and key enzymes involved in lipid-metabolic pathways, such as stearoyl-coA-desaturase 1 (SCD-1), are differentially expressed in normal and cancer tissues.

METHODS

Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) were analyzed by Winfood software. FA were assessed by gas-liquid chromatography in visceral AT samples. Estimated desaturase activities were calculated as precursor FA/product FA ratio. Desaturase gene expressions were evaluated by RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

Lean and obese CRC subjects showed inadequate dietary habits. In particular, lean CRC subjects showed increase in the intake of saturated FA, specifically palmitic (p = 0.0042) and stearic acid (p = 0.0091), and a corresponding reduction of monounsaturated FA consumption, in particular oleic acid (p = 0.002) with respect to lean without CRC. Estimated SCD-1 activity in AT was increased in all the groups vs lean without CRC (pANOVA = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Unhealthy eating habits, characterizing obese and CRC subjects, may influence the visceral AT profile and contribute to the alteration of the metabolic pathways. The quality of the diet, other than the quantity, can have a main role in the establishment of inflammatory microenvironment and in metabolic changes favouring CRC.

Recommendation-based dietary indexes and risk of colorectal cancer in the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study

Background

Many dietary indexes exist for chronic disease prevention, but the optimal dietary pattern for colorectal cancer prevention is unknown.

Objective

We sought to determine associations between adherence to various dietary indexes and incident colorectal cancer in 2 prospective cohort studies.

Design

We followed 78,012 women in the Nurses' Health Study and 46,695 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study from 1986 and 1988, respectively, until 2012. We created dietary index scores for the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, Alternative Mediterranean Diet (AMED), and Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) and used Cox regression to estimate HRs and 95% CIs for risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and by anatomic subsite. We also conducted latency analyses to examine associations between diet and CRC risk during different windows of exposure. We conducted analyses in men and women separately, and subsequently pooled these results in a random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

We documented 2690 colorectal cancer cases. Pooled multivariable HRs for colorectal cancer risk comparing the highest to lowest quintile of diet scores were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.74, 1.08; P-trend = 0.10) for DASH, 0.89 (95% CI: 0.73, 1.10; P-trend = 0.31) for AMED, and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.83, 1.09; P-trend = 0.56) for AHEI-2010 (P-heterogeneity ≥ 0.07 for all). In sex-specific analyses, we observed stronger associations in men for all dietary indexes (DASH: multivariable HR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.66, 0.98; P-trend = 0.003; AMED: multivariable HR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.98; P-trend = 0.02; AHEI-2010: multivariable HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.72, 1.07; P-trend = 0.04) than in women (multivariable HRs range from 0.98 to 1.01).

Conclusions

Adherence to the DASH, AMED, and AHEI-2010 diets was inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk in men. These diets were not associated with colorectal cancer risk in women. This observational study was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03364582.

Are the dietary habits of treated individuals with celiac disease adherent to a Mediterranean diet?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The only treatment for celiac disease (CD) is strict, lifelong adherence to a gluten-free (GF) diet. To date, there are contrasting data concerning the nutritional adequacy of GF products and diet. There have been no studies that have assessed the adherence of individuals with CD to a Mediterranean diet (MD), a protective dietary regimen against major non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Therefore, we examined the adherence to an MD of a group of Italian individuals with CD and compared it with that of a healthy control group.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a cross-sectional study, a sample of individuals with CD and a group of healthy subjects were included. The dietary habits of all participants were recorded using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and the adherence to an MD was determined using the Italian Mediterranean Index. Typical Mediterranean food consumption was not significantly different between individuals with CD and the healthy participants, except for fruits (P = 0.017). However, individuals with CD consumed significantly higher amounts of potatoes (P = 0.003) and red and processed meat (P = 0.005) than healthy participants. The resulting mean Italian Mediterranean Index was significantly higher in healthy participants than in individuals with CD (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results raise questions concerning the food choices of individuals with CD, suggesting the need of encouraging them to make better food choices more in line with an MD, which would improve their nutritional status and better protect them from NCDs at long term.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (ID NCT01975155) on November 4 2013.

Diet and longevity: The effects of traditional eating habits on human lifespan extension

Since the dawn of time human beings have been trying to improve the quality of the existence and extend their lifespan. Genetic, environmental, behavioral and dietary factors influence the pathways that regulate aging and life expectancy, thus rendering longevity a very complex phenomenon. Although a long-lived elixir has not yet been found, physicians and scientists agree that nutrition has a major impact on the overall mortality and morbidity, hence becoming the subject of a widespread scientific research. This review describes, analyzes and compares the effects of different types of diets in reducing the onset of typical Western countries non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (cardiovascular diseases, tumors, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, etc.), thus increasing the average lifespan. It will first depict the most relevant characteristics, nutraceutical properties and effects on the populations of the Mediterranean, Japanese, Vegetarian and New Nordic Diet. Finally, it will describe the impact of different dietary restrictions in modulating the genetic pathways that regulate metabolism and aging. Overall, this work reinforces the evidence that specific eating habits, in addition to healthy and active lifestyles, are crucial to increase people’s health span and to achieve an optimal longevity.

Colorectal Cancer Risk Awareness and Screening Uptake among Adults in the United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates initiated the colorectal cancer (CRC) screening on 2013. Yet, one of the barriers to participation in CRC screening is lack of knowledge about the importance of CRC, its risk factors, and the benefits that could be gained through screening. We aimed in this study to identify knowledge, attitude, and behavioral factors among the public that are associated with willingness to undergo CRC screening. A structured bilingual questionnaire in English and Arabic was designed by a multidisciplinary team and through a review of the literature. The survey consisted of four functional domains: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practice related questions. It was encouraging that more than 65% of the total participants surveyed for the study were aware of CRC and their main source of information was media (395, 66%). However, the majority (379, 64%) were thinking that CRC is not common, and did not hear of the screening test for CRC (401, 67%). An overall evaluation of the answers revealed a poor level of knowledge on risk factors of CRC, and only 40% correctly identified fecal occult blood as main test for CRC prevention. Surprisingly, 95% of participants mentioned that the CRC screening was not recommended to them by a physician. This is the first report analyzing the awareness, attitude and practice of UAE population and assessing the barriers for CRC screening. Our results demonstrate that better education and communication of the benefits of early detection of CRC should be addressed to improve the screening in UAE population. There is need for campaigns and educational programs, both for health care providers and public. Media might play a significant role in this aspect and new policies need to focus more on increasing community awareness on cancer preventive measures in UAE.

The Mediterranean diet and risk of colorectal cancer in the UK Women's Cohort Study

Background

Evidence from epidemiological studies investigating associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and colorectal cancer is inconsistent. The aim of this study is to assess in the UK Women's Cohort Study whether adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with reduced incidence of cancers of the colon and rectum.

Method

A total of 35 372 women were followed for a median of 17.4 years. A 10-component score indicating adherence to the Mediterranean diet was generated for each cohort participant, using a 217-item food frequency questionnaire. The Mediterranean diet score ranged from 0 for minimal adherence to 10 for maximal adherence. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to provide adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for colon and rectal cancer risk.

Results

A total of 465 incident colorectal cancer cases were documented. In the multivariable adjusted model, the test for trend was positive (HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.78 to 0.99; Ptrend = 0.03) for a 2-point increment in the Mediterranean diet score. For rectal cancer, a 2-point increment in the Mediterranean diet score resulted in an HR (95% CI) of 0.69 (0.56 to 0.86), whereas a 62% linear reduced risk (HR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.74; Ptrend < 0.001) was observed for women within the highest vs the lowest category of the MD score. Estimates for an association with colon cancer were weak (Ptrend = 0.41).

Conclusions

Findings suggest that women adhering to a Mediterranean dietary pattern may have a lower risk of colorectal cancer, especially rectal cancer.

Evaluating Mediterranean diet and risk of chronic disease in cohort studies: an umbrella review of meta-analyses

Several meta-analyses have been published summarizing the associations of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) with chronic diseases. We evaluated the quality and credibility of evidence from these meta-analyses as well as characterized the different indices used to define MedDiet and re-calculated the associations with the different indices identified. We conducted an umbrella review of meta-analyses on cohort studies evaluating the association of the MedDiet with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and cognitive-related diseases. We used the AMSTAR (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews) checklist to evaluate the methodological quality of the meta-analyses, and the NutriGrade scoring system to evaluate the credibility of evidence. We also identified different indices used to define MedDiet; tests for subgroup differences were performed to compare the associations with the different indices when at least 2 studies were available for different definitions. Fourteen publications were identified and within them 27 meta-analyses which were based on 70 primary studies. Almost all meta-analyses reported inverse associations between MedDiet and risk of chronic disease, but the credibility of evidence was rated low to moderate. Moreover, substantial heterogeneity was observed on the use of the indices assessing adherence to the MedDiet, but two indices were the most used ones [Trichopoulou MedDiet (tMedDiet) and alternative MedDiet (aMedDiet)]. Overall, we observed little difference in risk associations comparing different MedDiet indices in the subgroup meta-analyses. Future prospective cohort studies are advised to use more homogenous definitions of the MedDiet to improve the comparability across meta-analyses.

A priori dietary patterns and blood pressure in the EPIC Florence cohort: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

Several foods and nutrients have been independently associated with systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure values. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combined dietary habits on SBP and DBP values in a large cohort of healthy adults, with a cross-sectional design. Adherence of participants to four a priori dietary patterns was considered: the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010); the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH); the Greek Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS); and the Italian Mediterranean Index (IMI).

METHODS

Overall, 13,597 volunteers (35-64 years) were enrolled in 1993-1998 in the EPIC-Florence cohort. Information on dietary habits, anthropometry, smoking status, education, physical activity habits, previous diagnosis of hypertension and SBP and DBP measurements were collected at baseline. Multivariate regression models were performed on 10,163 individuals (7551 women) after excluding subjects with prevalent hypertension.

RESULTS

IMI, DASH and HEI-2010 were significantly and inversely associated with SBP and DBP values in the total population. The strongest association emerged between IMI and SBP (β - 1.80 excellent adherence vs low adherence, 95% CI - 2.99; - 0.61, p trend 0.001) and DBP (β - 1.12, 95% CI - 1.869; - 0.39, p trend 0.001) values. In sub-group analyses, an inverse association also emerged between IMI and SBP and DBP values among females and between DASH and DBP among males. MDS was not associated with SBP or DBP.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study, carried out in a large cohort of healthy adults from Tuscany (Central Italy), showed inverse significant associations between specific a priori dietary patterns, identifying general models of health-conscious diet, and blood pressure values.

Dietary patterns and risk of advanced colorectal neoplasms: A large population based screening study in Germany

Specific components of the diet such as red and processed meat have been associated with the risk of developing colorectal cancer. However, evidence on the association of dietary patterns with colorectal neoplasms is sparse. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of dietary patterns with prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasms among older adults in Germany. A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants of screening colonoscopy in Saarland, Germany, who were enrolled in the KolosSal study (Effektivität der Früherkennungs-Koloskopie: eine Saarland-weite Studie) from 2005 to 2013. Information on diet and lifestyle factors was obtained through questionnaires and colonoscopy results were extracted from physicians' reports. Associations of a priori defined dietary patterns (vegetarian or adapted versions of the Healthy Eating Index [HEI] and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH] index) with the risk of advanced colorectal neoplasms were assessed by multiple logistic regression analyses with comprehensive adjustment for potential confounders. A total of 14,309 participants were included (1561 with advanced colorectal neoplasms). Healthier eating behavior was associated with lower prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasms in a dose-response manner. Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) comparing the highest with the lowest categories of adapted HEI and DASH were 0.61 (0.50, 0.76) and 0.70 (0.55, 0.89), respectively. No significant associations were observed for a vegetarian eating pattern (adjusted OR 0.80 (0.55, 1.17)). Healthy dietary patterns, as described by a high HEI or DASH score, but not a vegetarian diet alone, are associated with reduced risk of advanced colorectal neoplasms.

A randomized controlled trial of Mediterranean diet and metformin to prevent age-related diseases in people with metabolic syndrome

PURPOSE

Age-related non-communicable chronic diseases (ArCDs) are the leading cause of mortality. The major metabolic risk factor for their development is the metabolic syndrome (MetS), defined as a clustering of risk factors of metabolic origin such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and high fasting glycemia. There is increasing observational and experimental evidence that improving diet and the use of metformin (a calorie-restriction mimetic drug) may modify the risk of developing MetS and ArCD. We designed a phase III randomized controlled trial (the Me.Me.Me trial) to evaluate the effect of a comprehensive lifestyle intervention (including moderate physical activity and a Mediterranean-macrobiotic diet) and the effect of treatment with metformin in the prevention of ArCDs in healthy people with MetS. This report describes the scientific protocol of this trial.

METHODS

The design of the study is 2 × 2 factorial with 2,000 volunteers to be randomized into 4 equal groups of 500 each, which are allocated to the following treatments: metformin (1,700 mg/day) + active lifestyle intervention, placebo + active lifestyle intervention, metformin (1,700 mg/day) alone, and placebo alone. The metformin/placebo component of the study is double blind. The study is planned for a term of 5 years.

RESULTS

The Me.Me.Me. trial is ongoing and recruitment of participants is underway. No patient has completed the 5 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that the results of the trial will clarify the importance of lifestyle for primary prevention and the role of metformin as a potential chemopreventive agent. The trial is registred on ClinicalTrials.gov with the identification NCT02960711.

Mediterranean Diet: Prevention of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosis and the second and third leading cause of cancer mortality in men and women, respectively. However, the majority of CRC cases are the result of sporadic tumorigenesis via the adenoma–carcinoma sequence. This process can take up to 20 years, suggesting an important window of opportunity exists for prevention such as switching toward healthier dietary patterns. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a dietary pattern associated with various health benefits including protection against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and various cancers. In this article, we review publications available in the PubMed database within the last 10 years that report on the impact of a MD eating pattern on prevention of CRC. To assist the reader with interpretation of the results and discussion, we first introduce indexes and scoring systems commonly used to experimentally determine adherence to a MD, followed by a brief introduction of the influence of the MD pattern on inflammatory bowel disease, which predisposes to CRC. Finally, we discuss key biological mechanisms through which specific bioactive food components commonly present in the MD are proposed to prevent or delay the development of CRC. We close with a discussion of future research frontiers in CRC prevention with particular reference to the role of epigenetic mechanisms and microbiome related to the MD eating pattern.

Dietary Patterns and Colorectal Cancer Risk: A Review of 17 Years of Evidence (2000-2016)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global public health problem, with an estimated 1.4 million cases diagnosed worldwide in 2012. Evidence suggests that diet may be important for primary prevention.

RECENT FINDINGS

The 2017 WCRF/AICR Continuous Update Project on colorectal cancer concluded that there is convincing evidence linking several individual dietary factors with CRC risk but the evidence for dietary patterns was limited and inconclusive. Also, previous reviews and meta-analyses have not critically synthesized various dietary patterns. This review synthesized data from dietary patterns studies over a 17-year period from 2000 to 2016.

SUMMARY

We included 49 studies (28 cohort and 21 case-control) that examined the association of index-based and empirically-derived dietary patterns and CRC risk. A synthesis of food group components comprising the different index-based and empirically-derived patterns revealed two distinct dietary patterns associated with CRC risk. A "healthy" pattern, generally characterized by high intake of fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and legumes, fish and other seafood, milk and other dairy products, was associated with lower CRC risk. In contrast, the "unhealthy" pattern, characterized by high intakes of red meat, processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, desserts and potatoes was associated with higher CRC risk. It is notable that the number of food groups, the intake quantity, the exact types of foods in each food group, differed between populations, yet the two dietary patterns remained consistent across regions, especially in empirically-derived patterns, an indication of the high reproducibility of these patterns. However, findings for CRC risk in both index-based and empirically-derived patterns, differed by sex, with stronger associations among men than women; study design, a higher proportion of case-control studies reported significant findings compared to prospective studies. Consuming a dietary pattern high in fruits and vegetables and low in meats and sweets is protective against CRC risk. However, important questions remain about mechanisms underlying differences by sex; life-course timing of exposure to dietary patterns; interaction of dietary patterns with the microbiome or with lifestyle factors including physical activity; and elucidation of subsite differences.

Dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, and cancer risk: results from the EPIC-Italy study

Factors linked to glucose metabolism are involved in the etiology of several cancers. High glycemic index (GI) or high glycemic load (GL) diets, which chronically raise postprandial blood glucose, may increase cancer risk by affecting insulin-like growth factor. We prospectively investigated cancer risk and dietary GI/GL in the EPIC-Italy cohort. After a median 14.9 years, 5112 incident cancers and 2460 deaths were identified among 45,148 recruited adults. High GI was associated with increased risk of colon and bladder cancer. High GL was associated with: increased risk of colon cancer; increased risk of diabetes-related cancers; and decreased risk of rectal cancer. High intake of carbohydrate from high GI foods was significantly associated with increased risk of colon and diabetes-related cancers, but decreased risk of stomach cancer; whereas high intake of carbohydrates from low GI foods was associated with reduced colon cancer risk. In a Mediterranean population with high and varied carbohydrate intake, carbohydrates that strongly raise postprandial blood glucose may increase colon and bladder cancer risk, while the quantity of carbohydrate consumed may be involved in diabetes-related cancers. Further studies are needed to confirm the opposing effects of high dietary GL on risks of colon and rectal cancers.

Mediterranean diet and colorectal cancer: A systematic review

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, especially in developed countries where an estimated 60% of all cases occur. There is evidence of a higher risk for CRC in Western society, where people tend to eat more red and processed meat than those living along the Mediterranean coast, who have a decreased overall cancer mortality, which is correlated to their eating habits, such as Mediterranean diet. The aim of this review was to evaluate the correlation between three components of the Mediterranean diet (olive oil, red wine, and tomatoes) and incidence and progression of colorectal cancer. As such, we conducted a literature search using keywords "colorectal cancer," "dietary pattern," "Mediterranean diet," "olive oil," "protective effects," "resveratrol," and "lycopene." Olive oil polyphenols, red wine resveratrol, and tomato lycopene showed several characteristics in vitro that interfere with molecular cancer pathways. At the same time, many clinical studies have reported an association of these components with a reduction in cancer initiation and progression. More clinical studies are needed to identify the precise dose and administration of single agents or their combination to produce a coadjutant treatment to those already applied in chemoprevention and oncologic treatment.

Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet Influences the Fecal Metabolic Profile of Microbial-Derived Phenolics in a Spanish Cohort of Middle-Age and Older People

Despite the evidence regarding the influence of certain polyphenol food sources on the metabolic profile in feces, the association between the different phenolics provided by the diet and the fecal phenolic profile has not been elucidated. In this study, the composition of phenolic metabolites in fecal solutions was analyzed by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS in 74 volunteers. This fecal phenolic profile showed a high interindividual variation of the different compounds analyzed, phenylacetic and phenylpropionic acids being the major classes of phenolic metabolites excreted in feces. Subjects with higher adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern presented greater fecal concentrations of benzoic and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acids, positively correlated with the intake of the principal classes and subclasses of polyphenols and fibers, and higher levels of Clostridium cluster XVIa and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. These results provide a link among the Mediterranean dietary pattern, the bioactive compounds of the diet, and the fecal metabolic phenolic profile.

The Association between Educational Level and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases within the EPICOR Study: New Evidence for an Old Inequality Problem

BACKGROUND

A consistent association has been reported between low socioeconomic status (SES) and cardiovascular events (CE), whereas the association between SES and cerebrovascular events (CBVD) is less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between SES (measured using education) and CE/CBVD in a cohort study, as well as to investigate lifestyle and clinical risk factors, to help to clarify the mechanisms by which SES influences CE/CBVD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We searched for diagnoses of CE and CBVD in the clinical records of 47,749 members of the EPICOR cohort (average follow-up time: 11 years). SES was determined by the relative index of inequality (RII).

RESULTS

A total of 1,156 CE and 468 CBVD were found in the clinical records. An increased risk of CE was observed in the crude Cox model for the third tertile of RII compared to the first tertile (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-1.61). The increased risk persisted after adjustment for lifestyle risk factors (HR = 1.19; 95%CI 1.02-1.38), clinical risk factors (HR = 1.35; 95%CI 1.17-1.56), and after full adjustment (HR = 1.17; 95%CI 1.01-1.37). Structural equation model showed that lifestyle rather than clinical risk factors are involved in the mechanisms by which education influences CE. No significant association was found between education and CBVD. A strong relationship was observed between education and diabetes at baseline.

CONCLUSION

The most important burden of inequality in CE incidence in Italy is due to lifestyle risk factors.