The Mediterranean diet and its protective role against cancer

Abstract Very few data are available regarding the association of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi) with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) evolution over time. A cohort of 939 cognitively normal individuals reporting self-experienced, persistent cognitive decline not attributed to neurological, psychiatric or medical disorders from the Hellenic Epidemiological Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet (HELIAD study) was followed-up for a mean period of 3.10 years. We defined our SCD score as the number of reported SCD domains (memory, language, visuoperceptual and executive), ranging from 0 to 4. Dietary intake at baseline was assessed through a food frequency questionnaire; adherence to the MeDi pattern was evaluated through the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) that ranged from 0 to 55, with higher values indicating greater adherence to the MeDi. The mean SCD score in our cohort increased by 0.20 cognitive domains during follow-up. After adjustment for multiple potential confounders, we showed that an MDS higher by 10 points was associated with a 7% reduction in the progression of SCD within one year. In terms of food groups, every additional vegetable serving consumption per day was associated with a 2.3% reduction in SCD progression per year. Our results provide support to the notion that MeDi may have a protective role against the whole continuum of cognitive decline, starting at the first subjective complaints. This finding may strengthen the role of the MeDi as a population-wide, cost-effective preventive strategy targeting the modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline.

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The Protective Role of the Mediterranean Diet on the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in a Population of Greek Obese Subjects

Journal of the American College of Nutrition ◽

10.1080/07315724.2010.10719815 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 41-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Konstantinos Paletas ◽

Eleni Athanasiadou ◽

Maria Sarigianni ◽

Paschalis Paschos ◽

Aikaterini Kalogirou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Protective Role ◽

Obese Subjects ◽

The Mediterranean

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Protective role of the Mediterranean diet on several cardiovascular risk factors: Evidence from Sicily, southern Italy

Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.numecd.2013.09.020 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 370-377 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

G. Grosso ◽

A. Pajak ◽

A. Mistretta ◽

S. Marventano ◽

T. Raciti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Protective Role ◽

The Mediterranean

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Effect of Adherence to Mediterranean Diet during Pregnancy on Children’s Health: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11050997 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 997 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Carlotta Biagi ◽

Mattia Di Nunzio ◽

Alessandra Bordoni ◽

Davide Gori ◽

Marcello Lanari

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Maternal Nutrition ◽

Protective Role ◽

Current Data ◽

Children's Health ◽

Children’S Health ◽

Foetal Development ◽

Eating Pattern ◽

Metabolic Markers ◽

The Mediterranean

The traditional Mediterranean diet has been shown to be a healthy eating pattern that protects against the development of many diseases in adults and children. Pregnancy is a critical period of plasticity during which foetal development may be significantly influenced by different environmental factors, including maternal nutrition. In this context, several studies have examined the potential benefits of adherence to a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy on birth outcomes, considering the Mediterranean diet as a whole rather than focusing on the effect of its individual components. In this review, we systematically summarized and discussed results of studies investigating the protective role of Mediterranean diet against foetal growth, prematurity, neural tube defects and other congenital pathologies, asthma and allergy, body weight and metabolic markers. Although current data are insufficient and randomized control trials are needed, growing evidence suggests the beneficial effect of the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy on children’s health. In this sense, strategies aiming to promote adherence to this dietary pattern might be of considerable importance to public health.

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The influence of Mediterranean diet in acne pathogenesis and the correlation with insulin-like growth factor-1 serum levels: implications and results

Dermatology Reports ◽

10.4081/dr.2021.9143 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mariabeatrice Bertolani ◽

Eleonora Rodighiero ◽

Roberta Saleri ◽

Giuseppe Pedrazzi ◽

Simona Bertoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Protective Role ◽

Chronic Inflammatory Disease ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Group Score ◽

Western Group ◽

Before And After ◽

The Mediterranean

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit and its etiology is complex and multifactorial. The role of the diet in its pathogenesis is still debated. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between MD and IGF-1 in acne patients and, as secondary objective, the role of systemic treatment on IGF-1 serum levels, in accordance to the patients’ diet. This study included 35 patients aged 14-30 years affected by acne and treated in line with the EDF guidelines. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on a questionnaire score assessing the adherence to the Mediterranean diet: the Mediterranean Group (score ≥ 6) and the Western Group (score < 5). IGF-1 serum levels were measured in all patients before and after treatment and then compared to healthy population. IGF-1 levels were higher in patients than in controls and in the Western group than in the Mediterranean group. We speculate that the Mediterranean diet can have a protective role in the pathogenesis of acne by acting on the systemic route of IGF-1.

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Mediterranean Diet a Potential Strategy against SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Narrative Review

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57121389 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (12) ◽

pp. 1389

Author(s):

Yvelise Ferro ◽

Roberta Pujia ◽

Samantha Maurotti ◽

Giada Boragina ◽

Angela Mirarchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Lower Risk ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Protective Role ◽

Positive Action ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Potential Strategy ◽

Overall Mortality

Mediterranean Diet represents the traditional eating habits of populations living around the Mediterranean Sea, and it is associated with a lower risk of overall mortality and cancer incidence and cardiovascular diseases. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a new pandemic, and represents a significant and critical threat to global human health. In this study, we aimed to review the possible effects of Mediterranean Diet against the risk of the coronavirus disease 2019. Several vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and phytochemicals with their potential anti-COVID-19 activity are presented. Different risk factors may increase or reduce the probability of contracting the disease. Mediterranean Diet has also a positive action on inflammation and immune system and could have a protective effect against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Further studies are needed to corroborate the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet protective role on infection with SARS-CoV-2.

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The Mediterranean diet as a nutrition education, health promotion and disease prevention tool

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980009990504 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 12 (9A) ◽

pp. 1648-1655 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Suzanne Piscopo

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Target Population ◽

Protective Role ◽

Dietary Pufa ◽

Cholesterol Ratio ◽

Education Interventions ◽

The Mediterranean

AbstractObjectiveWhile epidemiological research on the protective role of the Mediterranean diet (MD) is highly publicised, little is known about MD education interventions. This exploratory study aimed to provide insight into methodology and effectiveness of the MD as a nutrition education and health promotion tool.Design and settingTwo searches were conducted within PubMed using the terms ‘Mediterranean diet’ and ‘Education’ or ‘Intervention’. Abstracts yielded were screened for distinct studies in which participants were instructed on the application of MD principles in their diet. Four studies met this criterion. These were further analysed for sample/target population, and intervention design, duration, tools, evaluative measures/tests and outcomes.ResultsInterventions targeted both healthy and at-risk populations and lasted between 12 weeks to 1 year, including follow-up. They used individual counselling, tailored computer-based counselling, group education, internet-based education, cookery classes and printed materials. Outcomes were measured using food diaries, FFQ, questionnaires on psychosocial factors and on usage of the educational tools, as well as anthropometrics and biomarkers. Interventions showed statistically significant increases in participants’ intake of vegetables, legumes, nuts, fruit, whole grains, seeds, olive oil and dietary PUFA and MUFA, and statistically significant decreases in total cholesterol, ox-LDL-cholesterol, total:HDL-cholesterol ratio, insulin resistance, BMI, body weight and waist circumference.ConclusionsMD education interventions may be cost-effective strategies for helping to protect against and treat a variety of health problems in different populations. Details of such interventions need to be publicised internationally. This introductory review could help inform the design of future targeted MD nutrition education.

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Homocysteine Levels Show Significant Differences among Mediterranean Dietary Quality Index Variables Compared to Folate and Vitamin B12 Status in Women

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000237 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 85 (3-4) ◽

pp. 202-210 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ivona Višekruna ◽

Ivana Rumbak ◽

Ivana Rumora Samarin ◽

Irena Keser ◽

Jasmina Ranilović

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Quality Index ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Dietary Quality ◽

Vitamin B ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Poor Diet ◽

The Mediterranean

Abstract. Results of epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have shown that subjects following the Mediterranean diet had lower inflammatory markers such as homocysteine (Hcy). Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess female diet quality with the Mediterranean diet quality index (MDQI) and to determine the correlation between MDQI, homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 levels in the blood. The study participants were 237 apparently healthy women (96 of reproductive age and 141 postmenopausal) between 25 and 93 years. For each participant, 24-hour dietary recalls for 3 days were collected, MDQI was calculated, and plasma Hcy, serum and erythrocyte folate and vitamin B12 levels were analysed. Total MDQI ranged from 8 to 10 points, which represented a medium-poor diet for the subjects. The strength of correlation using biomarkers, regardless of group type, age, gender and other measured parameters, was ranked from best (0.11) to worst (0.52) for olive oil, fish, fruits and vegetables, grains, and meat, in this order. Hcy levels showed the best response among all markers across all groups and food types. Our study shows significant differences between variables of the MDQI and Hcy levels compared to levels of folate and vitamin B12 in participants with medium-poor diet quality, as evaluated according to MDQI scores.

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