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Godos J, Scazzina F, Paternò Castello C, Giampieri F, Quiles JL, Briones Urbano M, Battino M, Galvano F, Iacoviello L, de Gaetano G, Bonaccio M, Grosso G. Underrated aspects of a true Mediterranean diet: understanding traditional features for worldwide application of a "Planeterranean" diet. J Transl Med 2024; 22:294. [PMID: 38515140 PMCID: PMC10956348 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05095-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades, the Mediterranean diet gained enormous scientific, social, and commercial attention due to proven positive effects on health and undeniable taste that facilitated a widespread popularity. Researchers have investigated the role of Mediterranean-type dietary patterns on human health all around the world, reporting consistent findings concerning its benefits. However, what does truly define the Mediterranean diet? The myriad of dietary scores synthesizes the nutritional content of a Mediterranean-type diet, but a variety of aspects are generally unexplored when studying the adherence to this dietary pattern. Among dietary factors, the main characteristics of the Mediterranean diet, such as consumption of fruit and vegetables, olive oil, and cereals should be accompanied by other underrated features, such as the following: (i) specific reference to whole-grain consumption; (ii) considering the consumption of legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices often untested when exploring the adherence to the Mediterranean diet; (iii) consumption of eggs and dairy products as common foods consumed in the Mediterranean region (irrespectively of the modern demonization of dietary fat intake). Another main feature of the Mediterranean diet includes (red) wine consumption, but more general patterns of alcohol intake are generally unmeasured, lacking specificity concerning the drinking occasion and intensity (i.e., alcohol drinking during meals). Among other underrated aspects, cooking methods are rather simple and yet extremely varied. Several underrated aspects are related to the quality of food consumed when the Mediterranean diet was first investigated: foods are locally produced, minimally processed, and preserved with more natural methods (i.e., fermentation), strongly connected with the territory with limited and controlled impact on the environment. Dietary habits are also associated with lifestyle behaviors, such as sleeping patterns, and social and cultural values, favoring commensality and frugality. In conclusion, it is rather reductive to consider the Mediterranean diet as just a pattern of food groups to be consumed decontextualized from the social and geographical background of Mediterranean culture. While the methodologies to study the Mediterranean diet have demonstrated to be useful up to date, a more holistic approach should be considered in future studies by considering the aforementioned underrated features and values to be potentially applied globally through the concept of a "Planeterranean" diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Godos
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesca Giampieri
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres 21, 39011, Santander, Spain
| | - José L Quiles
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres 21, 39011, Santander, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix", Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Avda del Conocimiento S/N, Parque Tecnologico de La Salud, Armilla, 18016, Granada, Spain
- Research and Development Functional Food Centre (CIDAF), Health Science Technological Park, Avenida del Conocimiento 37, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Mercedes Briones Urbano
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres 21, 39011, Santander, Spain
- Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana, Campeche, 24560, México
- Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana, Arecibo, PR, 00613, USA
| | - Maurizio Battino
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres 21, 39011, Santander, Spain
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Intelligent Agriculture and Agri-Products Processing, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Fabio Galvano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Licia Iacoviello
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Libera Università Mediterranea (LUM) "Giuseppe Degennaro", Casamassima (Bari), Italy
| | | | | | - Giuseppe Grosso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
- Center for Human Nutrition and Mediterranean Foods (NUTREA), University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Parikh M, Hirst BC, O’Hara KA, Maddaford TG, Austria JA, Stamenkovic A, Yu L, Kura B, Garg B, Netticadan T, Proctor SD, Pierce GN. Beneficial Effects of Dietary Flaxseed on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Nutrients 2024; 16:466. [PMID: 38398791 PMCID: PMC10892801 DOI: 10.3390/nu16040466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a significant cause of chronic liver disease, presents a considerable public health concern. Despite this, there is currently no treatment available. This study aimed to investigate dietary flaxseed in the JCR:LA-corpulent rat strain model of NAFLD. Both obese male and female rats were studied along with their lean counterparts after 12 weeks of ingestion of a control diet, or control diet with flaxseed, or high fat, high sucrose (HFHS), or HFHS plus flaxseed. Obese rats showed higher liver weight and increased levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and saturated fatty acid, which were further elevated in rats on the HFHS diet. The HFHS diet induced a significant two-fold elevation in the plasma levels of both aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in the obese male and female rats. Including flaxseed in the HFHS diet significantly lowered liver weight, depressed the plasma levels of both enzymes in the obese male rats, and reduced hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride content as well as improving the fatty acid profile. In summary, including flaxseed in the diet of male and female obese rats led to an improved lipid composition in the liver and significantly reduced biomarkers of tissue injury despite consuming a HFHS chow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihir Parikh
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada (T.N.)
- Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Broderick C. Hirst
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada (T.N.)
- Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Kimberley A. O’Hara
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada (T.N.)
- Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Thane G. Maddaford
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada (T.N.)
- Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - J. Alejandro Austria
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada (T.N.)
- Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Aleksandra Stamenkovic
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada (T.N.)
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Liping Yu
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Branislav Kura
- Institute for Heart Research, Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Bhavana Garg
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada (T.N.)
- Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Thomas Netticadan
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada (T.N.)
- Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Spencer D. Proctor
- Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases Laboratory, Division of Human Nutrition, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G2P5, Canada;
| | - Grant N. Pierce
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada (T.N.)
- Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
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Martín-Riobóo E, Turégano-Yedro M, Banegas JR. Evidence on the use of alternative substances and therapies in hypertension. HIPERTENSION Y RIESGO VASCULAR 2024; 41:40-57. [PMID: 38123388 DOI: 10.1016/j.hipert.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Review of some of the best-known biological and non-biological complementary/alternative therapies/medicines (CAM) and their relationship with blood pressure (BP) and hypertension (HT). SEARCH STRATEGY Narrative review assessing a recent series of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials published in recent years, focusing on the effects of CAM on BP and HT. SELECTION OF STUDIES We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar, obtaining a total of 4336 articles, finally limiting the search to 181 after applying filters. SYNTHESIS OF RESULTS Some studies on biological therapies show some usefulness in BP reduction with an adequate benefit-risk balance, although there is a scarcity of high-quality trials that support these results. Some mind-body therapies have shown hypothetical benefit; in contrast, others lack robust evidence. CONCLUSIONS Although some therapies present a reasonable risk-benefit ratio, they should in no case replace pharmacological treatment when indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Martín-Riobóo
- Especialista en Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, UGC Poniente, Distrito Sanitario Córdoba-Guadalquivir, Córdoba, IMIBIC, Hospital Reina Sofía Córdoba, Spain.
| | - M Turégano-Yedro
- Especialista en Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, Centro de Salud Casar de Cáceres, Cáceres, Spain
| | - J R Banegas
- Especialista en Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz y CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
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Yin S, Xu H, Xia J, Lu Y, Xu D, Sun J, Wang Y, Liao W, Sun G. Effect of Alpha-Linolenic Acid Supplementation on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Profile in Individuals with Obesity or Overweight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Adv Nutr 2023; 14:1644-1655. [PMID: 37778442 PMCID: PMC10721518 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Overweight and obesity are highly prevalent worldwide and are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including systematic inflammation, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is a plant-based essential polyunsaturated fatty acid associated with reduced CVD risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of supplementation with ALA compared with the placebo on CVD risk factors in people with obesity or overweight (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews Registration No. CRD42023429563). This review included studies with adults using oral supplementation or food or combined interventions containing vegetable sources of ALA. All studies were randomly assigned trials with parallel or crossover designs. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used for assessing the risk of bias (Version 1). PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were searched from inception to April 2023. Nineteen eligible randomized controlled trials, including 1183 participants, were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, dietary ALA supplementation significantly reduced C-reactive protein concentration (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.38 mg/L; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.72, -0.04), tumor necrosis factor-α concentration (SMD = -0.45 pg/mL; 95% CI: -0.73, -0.17), triglyceride in serum (SMD = -4.41 mg/dL; 95% CI: -5.99, -2.82), and systolic blood pressure (SMD = -0.37 mm Hg; 95% CI: -0.66, -0.08); but led to a significant increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (SMD = 1.32 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.05, 2.59). ALA supplementation had no significant effect on interleukin-6, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (all P ≥ 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that ALA supplementation at a dose of ≥3 g/d from flaxseed and flaxseed oil had a more prominent effect on improving CVD risk profiles, particularly where the intervention duration was ≥12 wk and where the baseline CVD profile was poor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Yin
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hai Xu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Department of Food Processing and Safety, College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiayue Xia
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifei Lu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dengfeng Xu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jihan Sun
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wang Liao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; China-DRIs Expert Committee on Macronutrients, Chinese Nutrition Society, Beijing, China
| | - Guiju Sun
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; China-DRIs Expert Committee on Macronutrients, Chinese Nutrition Society, Beijing, China.
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