Benefits of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Are Independent of Physical Activity Behaviors in Older Adults

Composition of healthy diets for older persons

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This study aims to review recent evidence (2022-2023) on the role of diet in promoting healthy aging in older adults.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current evidence of diet and healthy aging is limited to epidemiological studies. A healthy diet is beneficial for individual domains of intrinsic capacity, that is, cognition, locomotion, vitality, psychological, and/or sensory functions, with sex-specific differences reported. Only a few studies used the multidimensional concept of intrinsic capacity as an outcome. This review supports that a healthy diet for older adults consists of plenty of plant-based foods, adequate protein-rich foods, and healthy fats. Next to quantity, improving the quality and variety within food groups play a role in optimizing health. Data on the associations between adherence to national food-based dietary guidelines and intrinsic capacity are scarce.

SUMMARY

A healthy diet, centered on plant-based foods, adequate protein-rich foods and healthy fats, potentially promotes healthy aging. Future studies may evaluate the association between adherence to healthy dietary patterns (particularly national food-based dietary guidelines) and the multidimensional concept of intrinsic capacity, with consideration of sex-specific differences. Clinical trials are warranted to inform the causal effects of diet and outcomes related to intrinsic capacity.

Antioxidant capacity and inhibition of metabolic syndrome-associated enzymes by Cryptocarya alba fruits

The fruits of the native tree Cryptocarya alba Mol. (Lauraceae), known as "peumo" were consumed by the Mapuche Amerindians in Chile both raw and after boiling. The aim of this work was to compare the content of phenolic, procyanidins, antioxidant capacity and inhibition of enzymes related with metabolic syndrome (α-glucosidase, α-amylase and pancreatic lipase) from the phenolic enriched extracts (PEEs) of peumo fruits. Fruits were collected during two years in three different places in central Chile and were investigated raw, boiled, and after separation into cotyledons and peel. The water resulting from the fruit decoction was also analyzed. The composition of the PEE was assessed by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS and the main compounds were quantified by HPLC. The strong inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase, with IC50 values below 1 µg/mL for several samples, was related, at least in part, to the content of 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid and (-)-epicatechin. The effect of the PEE on pancreatic lipase is of interest and can be partially explained by the (-)-epicatechin content. PCA analyses showed a clear separation of the samples according to the fruit parts and processing. However, no differences by geographic origin were observed. The activity of peumo PEEs on enzymes related to metabolic syndrome and its antioxidant capacity support further studies on the health promoting properties of this native Chilean food plant.

A More Supportive Social Environment May Protect Against Nutritional Risk: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Data From the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

BACKGROUND

Nutritional risk has been linked to individual social factors, but the relationship with the overall social environment has not been assessed.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate associations between different support profiles of the social environment and nutritional risk using cross-sectional data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (n = 20,206). Subgroup analyses were performed among middle-aged (range, 45-64 y; n = 12,726) and older-aged (≥65 y, n = 7480) adults. Consumption of major food groups [whole grains, proteins, dairy products, and fruits and vegetables (FV)] by social environment profile was a secondary outcome.

METHODS

Latent structure analysis (LSA) classified participants into social environment profiles according to data on network size, social participation, social support, social cohesion, and social isolation. Nutritional risk and food group consumption were assessed with the SCREEN-II-AB and Short Dietary questionnaires, respectively. ANCOVA was conducted to compare SCREEN-II-AB mean scores by social environment profile, adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Models were repeated to compare mean food group consumption (times/day) by social environment profile.

RESULTS

LSA identified 3 social environment profiles classified as low, medium, and high support (17%, 40%, and 42% of the sample, respectively). Adjusted mean SCREEN-II-AB scores significantly increased with increasing social environment support, with the low support score indicating high nutritional risk status [low, medium, high support, respectively: 37.1 (99% CI: 36.9, 37.4), 39.3 (39.2, 39.5), 40.3 (40.2, 40.5), all comparisons P < 0.0001]. Results were consistent among age subgroups. The low support social environment profile had lower consumption of protein [low, medium, high support, respectively (mean ± SD): 2.17 ± 0.09, 2.21 ± 0.07, 2.23 ± 0.08, P = 0.004], dairy (2.32 ± 0.23, 2.40 ± 0.20, 2.38 ± 0.21, P = 0.009), and FV (3.65 ± 0.23, 3.94 ± 0.20, 4.08 ± 0.21, P < 0.0001), with some variation among age subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

The low support social environment profile had the poorest nutritional outcomes. Therefore, a more supportive social environment may protect against nutritional risk among middle- and older-aged adults.

Effective Prevention and Management Tools for Metabolic Syndrome Based on Digital Health-Based Lifestyle Interventions Using Healthcare Devices

Digital health-based lifestyle interventions (e.g., mobile applications, short messaging service, wearable devices, social media, and interactive websites) are widely used to manage metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to confirm the utility of self-care for prevention or management of MetS. We recruited 106 participants with one or more MetS risk factors from December 2019 to September 2020. Participants were provided five healthcare devices and applications. Characteristics were compared at baseline and follow-up to examine changes in risk factors, engagement, persistence, and physical activity (analyzed through device use frequency and lifestyle interventions performed). Participants with 1-2 MetS risk factors showed statistically significant reductions in waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure (BP). Participants with ≥3 MetS risk factors showed statistically significant reductions in risk factors including weight, body mass index, WC, BP, and fasting blood sugar (FBS). The prevention and improvement groups used more healthcare devices than the other groups. Smartwatch was the most frequently used device (5 times/week), and physical activity logged more than 7000 steps/week. WC, BP, and FBS of the improvement group were reduced by more than 40%. Based on engagement, persistence, and physical activity, digital health-based lifestyle interventions could be helpful for MetS prevention and management.

Consumption of Vegetables Is Associated with Systemic Inflammation in Older Adults

It is hypothesized that healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables (FV) can modulate the inflammatory status in older adults. However, to determine the actual impact of FV on inflammatory status, adiposity level and objectively assessed physical activity (PA) behaviors need to be considered. The aim of the present study was to explore associations between FV intake and biomarkers of systemic inflammation in older adults. Based on a sample of 233 older adults (65−70 years old), the following inflammatory biomarkers were assessed: C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-18, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). FV intake was assessed by self-report, and PA behaviors encompassing time spent sedentary and in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were determined using accelerometers. Associations between FV intake and inflammatory biomarkers were analyzed using stepwise linear regression models while adjusting for several covariates, including health-related food groups, adherence to the MVPA guidelines, total sedentary time, and waist circumference. While no significant associations were observed for the total FV intake, the vegetable intake was inversely associated with levels of IL6 (β = −0.15; p < 0.05). In contrast, fruit intake was not associated with any inflammatory biomarker. In conclusion, our findings indicate beneficial associations between vegetable intake and levels of a pro-inflammatory biomarker in older adults, which strengthens public health efforts to promote vegetable-rich diets in older adults to mitigate age-related systemic inflammation.

Effect of a Community Gerontology Program on the Control of Metabolic Syndrome in Mexican Older Adults

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is highly prevalent in older adults; it constitutes a risk factor for cognitive deterioration, frailty, and Alzheimer’s disease. For this reason, the WHO has pointed out the importance of the implementation of community programs for the training of healthy aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a community gerontology program framed in active aging on the control of metabolic syndrome in older adults. Methods: An experimental study was carried out in a convenience sample of 80 older adults diagnosed with MS according to the ATPIII criteria, comprising (1) experimental group (EG), n = 40; (2) control group (CG), n = 40. During a 6-month period, the EG participated in a supervised community gerontology program, and the CG was assessed monthly. Results: A statistically significant decrease was observed in the number of components for the diagnosis of MS. In this regard, of the total of participants with a diagnosis of MS in EG, only 28% maintained the diagnosis of MS (ATPIII ≥ 3 criteria), in contrast to 83% of the CG participants (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that health self-care training within the framework of active aging is effective for the control of MS in older adults.