scholarly journals Searching for the Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Potential of Natural Food and Nutritional Supplements for Ocular Health in the Mediterranean Population

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1231
Author(s):  
Mar Valero-Vello ◽  
Cristina Peris-Martínez ◽  
José J. García-Medina ◽  
Silvia M. Sanz-González ◽  
Ana I. Ramírez ◽  
...  

Adherence to a healthy diet offers a valuable intervention to compete against the increasing cases of ocular diseases worldwide, such as dry eye disorders, myopia progression, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or age macular degeneration. Certain amounts of micronutrients must be daily provided for proper functioning of the visual system, such as vitamins, carotenoids, trace metals and omega-3 fatty acids. Among natural foods, the following have to be considered for boosting eye/vision health: fish, meat, eggs, nuts, legumes, citrus fruits, nuts, leafy green vegetables, orange-colored fruits/vegetables, olives-olive oil, and dairy products. Nutritional supplements have received much attention as potential tools for managing chronic-degenerative ocular diseases. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, hand-searched publications and historical archives were performed by the professionals involved in this study, to include peer-reviewed articles in which natural food, nutrient content, and its potential relationship with ocular health. Five ophthalmologists and two researchers collected the characteristics, quality and suitability of the above studies. Finally, 177 publications from 1983 to 2021 were enclosed, mainly related to natural food, Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and nutraceutic supplementation. For the first time, original studies with broccoli and tigernut (chufa de Valencia) regarding the ocular surface dysfunction, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma were enclosed. These can add value to the diet, counteract nutritional defects, and help in the early stages, as well as in the course of ophthalmic pathologies. The main purpose of this review, enclosed in the Special Issue “Health Benefits and Nutritional Quality of Fruits, Nuts and Vegetables,” is to identify directions for further research on the role of diet and nutrition in the eyes and vision, and the potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of natural food (broccoli, saffron, tigernuts and walnuts), the Mediterranean Diet, and nutraceutic supplements that may supply a promising and highly affordable scenario for patients at risk of vision loss. This review work was designed and carried out by a multidisciplinary group involved in ophthalmology and ophthalmic research and especially in nutritional ophthalmology.

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 862
Author(s):  
Mireia Urpi-Sarda ◽  
Rosa Casas ◽  
Emilio Sacanella ◽  
Dolores Corella ◽  
Cristina Andrés-Lacueva ◽  
...  

The intervention with the Mediterranean diet (MD) pattern has evidenced short-term anti-inflammatory effects, but little is known about its long-term anti-inflammatory properties at molecular level. This study aims to investigate the 3-year effect of MD interventions compared to low-fat diet (LFD) on changes on inflammatory biomarkers related to atherosclerosis in a free-living population with a high-risk of cardiovascular disease (CD). Participants (n = 285) in the PREDIMED trial were randomly assigned into three intervention groups: MD with extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) or MD-Nuts, and a LFD. Fourteen plasma inflammatory biomarkers were determined by Luminex assays. An additional pilot study of gene expression (GE) was determined by RT-PCR in 35 participants. After 3 years, both MDs showed a significant reduction in the plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, hs-CRP, MCP-1, MIP-1β, RANTES, and ENA78 (p < 0.05; all). The decreased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α after MD significantly differed from those in the LFD (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed at the gene level after MD interventions, however, the GE of CXCR2 and CXCR3 tended to increase in the control LFD group (p = 0.09). This study supports the implementation of MD as a healthy long-term dietary pattern in the prevention of CD in populations at high cardiovascular risk.


Ophthalmology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (11) ◽  
pp. 1515-1528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiarnán D. Keenan ◽  
Elvira Agrón ◽  
Julie Mares ◽  
Traci E. Clemons ◽  
Freekje van Asten ◽  
...  

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Bouzas ◽  
Maria del Mar Bibiloni ◽  
Alicia Julibert ◽  
Miguel Ruiz-Canela ◽  
Jordi Salas-Salvadó ◽  
...  

Background. Body weight dissatisfaction is a hindrance to following a healthy lifestyle and it has been associated with weight concerns. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle (diet and exercise) and the desired body weight loss in an adult Mediterranean population with overweight. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis in 6355 participants (3268 men; 3087 women) with metabolic syndrome and BMI (Body mass index) between 27.0 and 40.0 kg/m2 (55–75 years old) from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Desired weight loss was the percentage of weight that participants wished to lose. It was categorized into four cut-offs of this percentage (Q1: <10%, n = 1495; Q2: 10–15%, n = 1804; Q3: <15–20%, n = 1470; Q4: ≥20%, n = 1589). Diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and a 17-item Mediterranean diet questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed by the validated Minnesota-REGICOR and the validated Spanish version of the Nurses’ Health Study questionnaire. Results. Participants reporting higher percentages of desired weight loss (Q3 and Q4) were younger, had higher real and perceived BMI and were more likely to have abdominal obesity. Desired weight loss correlated inversely to physical activity (Q1: 2106 MET min/week; Q4: 1585 MET min/week. p < 0.001) and adherence to Mediterranean diet (Q1: 8.7; Q4: 8.3. p < 0.001). Conclusions. In older Mediterranean individuals with weight excess, desired weight loss was inversely associated with Mediterranean lifestyle adherence. Deeply rooted aspects of the MedDiet remained similar across groups. Longitudinal research is advised to be able to establish causality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-250
Author(s):  
Eliana R. Sanpaolo ◽  
Addolorata Corrado ◽  
Francesco P. Cantatore

Background: Besides the well-known positive effect on the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular diseases, in the latest decades growing evidence has accumulated on the beneficial effects of MD on various aspects of health outcomes. Nevertheless, data concerning the existence of a direct positive effect of MD, irrespective of its beneficial effect on body weight, in osteo-articular diseases, are still controversial. In osteo-articular diseases, a pro-inflammatory environment is highlighted, with an increased systemic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Objective: Our objective is to investigate the effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and osteo-articular diseases. Conclusion: Many foods included in MD, have anti-inflammatory properties, due to the presence of nutrients, such as polyunsaturated (PUFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fats. The two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, have opposing effects on the inflammatory process. Omega-6 stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while omega-3 fatty acids exert anti-inflammatory effects, including significant reductions in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Some studies have shown that the dietary pattern of MD consumption has an important role in the prevention and development of inflammatory arthritis. Nevertheless, the possible influence of MD on chronic osteo-articular diseases is very limited, this review updates the main experimental and clinical evidences concerning the potential beneficial effects of the Mediterranean Diet on the most diffuse osteo-articular chronic and degenerative joint disease.


Author(s):  
Debabrata Majumder ◽  
Mousumi Debnath ◽  
Kamal Nayan Sharma ◽  
Surinder Singh Shekhawat ◽  
G.B.K.S Prasad ◽  
...  

: The Mediterranean diet is appraised as the premier dietary regimen and its espousal is correlated with the prevention of degenerative diseases and extended longevity. The consumption of olive oil stands out as the most peculiar feature of the Mediterranean diet. Olive oil rich in various bioactive compounds like oleanolic acid, oleuropein, oleocanthal, and hydroxytyrosol is known for its anti-inflammatory as well as cardioprotective property. Recently in silico studies have indicated that phytochemicals present in olive oil are a potential candidate to act against SARS-CoV-2. Although extensive studies on olive oil and its phytochemical composition; still, some lacunas persist in understanding how the phytochemical composition of olive oil is dependent on upstream processing. The signaling pathways regulated by olive oil in the restriction of various diseases is also not clear. To answer these queries, a detailed search of research and review articles published between 1990 to 2019 were reviewed in this effect. Olive oil consumption was found to be advantageous for various chronic non-communicable diseases. Olive oil’s constituents are having potent anti-inflammatory activities and thus restrict the progression of various inflammation-linked diseases ranging from arthritis to cancer. But it is also notable that the amount and nature of phytochemical composition of household olive oil are regulated by its upstream processing and the physicochemical properties of this oil can give a hint regarding the manufacturing method as well as its therapeutic. Moreover, daily uptake of olive oil should be monitored as excessive intake can cause body weight gain and change in the basal metabolic index. So, it can be concluded that olive oil consumption is beneficial for human health, and particularly for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, breast cancer, and inflammation. The simple way of processing olive oil maintains the polyphenol constituents and provides more protection against non-communicable diseases and SARS-CoV-2.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Schweitzer ◽  
Bobbie Barron ◽  
Nga Barron ◽  
Meredith McCormack ◽  
Emily Brigham

Abstract Objectives Design a research diet that can be used to evaluate the relationship between nutrition and inflammation in a randomized, cross-over study in adults. Methods Dietary components were established for a Mediterranean menu and a Western menu based on a literature review. Three-day menu cycles were planned using the established components. Recipes were developed and adapted to meet menu goals at the 2000 calorie level. Proportional increments of menu items at the 2000 kcal level were used to establish 2500, 3000, and 3500 daily kcal levels to allow for varying energy requirements of participants. Meal plans were analyzed using Nutrition Data System for Research 2017 (NDSR). Healthy Eating Index was calculated using NDSR data. Results 100% of grains in the Mediterranean diet, none in the Western diet, were whole grains. Sweets and pastries were included in the Western diet daily but not the Intervention diet. Mean HEI score for the three-day menu cycle was 91.1 and 37.2 for the Mediterranean and Western diet, respectively. Preliminary results from three participants fed both diets for 6 days: All three participants consumed within 5% of the planned diet with the exception of one participant, who, during the Mediterranean diet cycle, consumed 64%. Mean HEI calculated for actual participant intake (n = 3, 6 days each) was: 89.7 Mediterranean, 36.4 Western Conclusions The Mediterranean diet had a 10-fold higher ratio of omega-6: omega-3 fat than Western. A three-day menu cycle was planned and met goals for an anti-inflammatory feeding study. Recruitment is ongoing to study the feasibility of providing a Mediterranean style and Western style diet to adults with asthma in Baltimore City. Mean HEI for the first three recruits was similar to that of the planned menu, indicating that lack of strict diet adherence did not alter HEI goal of the diet. Although diet design was successful, there were challenges to feeding study participants that must be considered in future feeding studies. Adequate freezer space is key in food preparation and delivery. Acceptability of foods in the Mediterranean diet may effect diet compliance in those who typically eat a Western diet. Dietary restrictions and allergies excluded potential study subjects. Funding Sources This publication was made possible by the Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) which is funded in part by Grant Number UL1 TR001079 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and NIH Roadmap for Medical Research. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the Johns Hopkins ICTR, NCATS or NIH. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs  


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shehzad Batliwala ◽  
Christy Xavier ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Hongli Wu ◽  
Iok-Hou Pang

The human body harbors within it an intricate and delicate balance between oxidants and antioxidants. Any disruption in this checks-and-balances system can lead to harmful consequences in various organs and tissues, such as the eye. This review focuses on the effects of oxidative stress and the role of a particular antioxidant system—the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway—on ocular diseases, specifically age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Together, they are the major causes of blindness in the world.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 541
Author(s):  
Oscar Coltell ◽  
Carolina Ortega-Azorín ◽  
Jose V. Sorlí ◽  
Olga Portolés ◽  
Eva M. Asensio ◽  
...  

Adiponectin is gaining renewed interest since, in addition to its possible protective role against insulin resistance and arteriosclerosis, recent studies suggest other additional favorable effects. However, the influence of gene-diet interactions on plasma adiponectin levels is still little understood. We analyzed the association between plasma adiponectin levels and various metabolic traits in a high-cardiovascular risk Mediterranean population, as well as the genetic effect of four candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) and their interactions with the Mediterranean dietary pattern. Additionally, we explored, at the genome-wide level, the SNPs most associated with plasma adiponectin levels, as well as gene–diet interactions with the Mediterranean diet. In the 954 participants studied (aged 55–80 years), plasma adiponectin levels were strongly associated with plasma HDL-C concentrations (p = 6.6 × 10−36) and inversely related to triglycerides (p = 4.7 × 10−18), fasting glucose (p = 3.5 × 10−16) and type 2 diabetes (p = 1.4 × 10−7). Of the four pre-selected ADIPOQ candidate SNPs, the one most associated with plasma adiponectin was the −11391G > A (rs17300539) promoter SNP (p = 7.2 × 10−5, in the multivariable adjusted model). No significant interactions with the Mediterranean diet pattern were observed for these SNPs. Additionally, in the exploratory genome-wide association study (GWAS), we found new SNPs associated with adiponectin concentrations at the suggestive genome-wide level (p < 1 × 10−5) for the whole population, including the lead SNP rs9738548 (intergenic) and rs11647294 in the VAT1L (Vesicle Amine Transport 1 Like) gene. We also found other promising SNPs on exploring different strata such as men, women, diabetics and non-diabetics (p = 3.5 × 10−8 for rs2850066). Similarly, we explored gene–Mediterranean diet interactions at the GWAS level and identified several SNPs with gene–diet interactions at p < 1 × 10−5. A remarkable gene–diet interaction was revealed for the rs2917570 SNP in the OPCML (Opioid Binding Protein/Cell Adhesion Molecule Like) gene, previously reported to be associated with adiponectin levels in some populations. Our results suggest that, in this high-cardiovascular risk Mediterranean population, and even though adiponectin is favorably associated with metabolic traits and lower type 2 diabetes, the gene variants more associated with adiponectin may be population-specific, and some suggestive gene–Mediterranean diet interactions were detected.


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