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Buckwheat and Cardiometabolic Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Llanaj, E, Ahanchi, NS, Dizdari, H, Taneri, PE, Niehot, CD, Wehrli, F, Khatami, F, Raeisi-Dehkordi, H, Kastrati, L, Bano, A, et al
Journal of personalized medicine. 2022;12(12)
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Buckwheat is a gluten-free, pseudo-grain rich in bioactive compounds that are cardiometabolic health protective. Bioactive cardioprotective compounds include proteins, fibre, and polyphenols such as rutin and quercetin-3-glucoside. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the supplementation and consumption of buckwheat and its effects on cardiovascular risk markers. Sixteen studies were included in the systematic review, and ten were included in the meta-analysis. This systematic review and meta-analysis showed a modest, non-significant improvement in total cholesterol and glucose levels. Further robust studies are required to investigate the beneficial effects of bioactive compounds found in buckwheat due to the high heterogeneity of the included studies and the poor quality of the included studies. However, healthcare professionals can use the results of this research to understand the potential of buckwheat in improving or maintaining cardiometabolic health.
Abstract
Buckwheat (BW) is suggested to have beneficial effects, but evidence on how it affects cardiometabolic health (CMH) is not yet established. We aimed to assess the effects of BW and/or its related bioactive compounds on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk markers in adults. Five databases were searched for eligible studies. Observational prospective studies, nonrandomized or randomized trials were considered if they assessed BW, rutin or quercetin-3-glucoside intake and CVD risk markers. We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting. We selected 16 human studies based on 831 subjects with mild metabolic disturbances, such as hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and/or overweight. Eight studies, investigating primarily grain components, were included in the meta-analyses (n = 464). High study heterogeneity was present across most of our analyses. Weighted mean difference (WMD) for subjects receiving BW supplementation, compared to controls, were - 0.14 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.30; 0.02) for total cholesterol (TC), -0.03 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.22; 0.16) for LDL cholesterol, -0.14 kg (95% CI: -1.50; 1.22) for body weight, -0.04 mmol/L (95% CI: - 0.09;0.02) for HDL cholesterol, -0.02 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.15; 0.11) for triglycerides and -0.18 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.36; 0.003) for glucose. Most of the studies (66.7%) had concerns of risk of bias. Studies investigating other CVD markers were scarce and with inconsistent findings, where available. Evidence on how BW affects CMH is limited. However, the available literature indicates that BW supplementation in mild dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes may provide some benefit in lowering TC and glucose, albeit non-significant. Our work highlights the need for more rigorous trials, with better methodological rigor to clarify remaining uncertainties on potential effects of BW on CMH and its utility in clinical nutrition practice.
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The effects of olive leaf extract on cardiovascular risk factors in the general adult population: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Razmpoosh, E, Abdollahi, S, Mousavirad, M, Clark, CCT, Soltani, S
Diabetology & metabolic syndrome. 2022;14(1):151
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Modifiable unhealthy behaviours, such as sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and unhealthy food habits, are regarded as important contributors to the widespread prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which occur concurrently in overweight/obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether olive leaf extract (OLE) could improve the major cardiovascular-related variables, including lipid profile, glucose haemostasis, blood pressure, as well as liver/kidney and inflammatory markers in the general adult population. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of twelve randomised controlled studies. Results show that OLE supplementation: - significantly decreased triglycerides and systolic blood pressure levels. - only had short-term positive effects on blood pressure and lipid profiles, which may be attributed to the active constituents in OLE. - had more profitable effects on the improvement of triglycerides, blood pressure, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol measures among participants with hypertension and individuals with normal body weight. Authors conclude that stronger randomised controlled trial investigations, assessing different doses and durations of OLE, are required to better elucidate the effects of OLE supplementation.
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effect of olive leaf extract (OLE) supplementation on cardiovascular-related variables, including lipid, glycemic, inflammatory, liver and renal-related factors, as well as blood pressure. METHODS PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane library were searched, up to October 2021, for relevant controlled trials. Mean differences and standard deviations were pooled for all outcomes, using a random-effects model. The methodological quality, as well as quality of evidence were assessed using standard tools. RESULTS Twelve studies (n = 819 participants) were included in our analyses. Overall analyses showed that OLE supplementation significantly decreased triglyceride (TG) levels (WMD = - 9.51 mg/dl, 95% CI - 17.83, - 1.18; P = 0.025; I2 = 68.7%; P-heterogeneity = 0.004), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD = - 3.86 mmHg, 95% CI - 6.44, - 1.28 mmHg; P = 0.003; I2 = 19.9%; P-heterogeneity = 0.28). Subgroup analyses also revealed a significant improvement in SBP (- 4.81 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (- 2.45 mmHg), TG (- 14.42 mg/dl), total cholesterol (TC) (- 9.14 mg/dl), and low-density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C) (- 4.6 mg/dl) measurements, in patients with hypertension. Significant reductions were also observed in TC (- 6.69 mg/dl), TG (- 9.21 mg/dl), and SBP (- 7.05 mmHg) in normal-weight individuals. However, no meaningful changes were seen in glucose hemostasis, liver and kidney, or inflammatory markers. CONCLUSION The present study revealed that supplementation with OLE yielded beneficial effects for blood pressure and lipid profile in adults, especially in patients with hypertension. As the quality of evidence for glucose hemostasis variables, liver, kidney, and inflammatory markers, were low-to-very low, higher quality RCTs may impact the overarching results. This study was registered at PROSPERO with the code CRD42022302395.
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The effects of saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.
Zamani, M, Zarei, M, Nikbaf-Shandiz, M, Gholami, F, Hosseini, AM, Nadery, M, Shiraseb, F, Asbaghi, O
Frontiers in nutrition. 2022;9:1055517
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and disability around the world and presents a significant burden for healthcare systems. CVD has many risk factors, including diet and lifestyle habits. Hence, favourable interventions in those areas can help prevent and manage CVD. This systematic review examined the effects of saffron crocus on cardiovascular risk factors. Saffron is derived from the flowering plant Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus). It contains many active compounds such as crocetin, crocin, picrocrocin, and safrana, which in various studies demonstrated positive effects on blood glucose levels, insulin resistance and sensitivity and blood fats, besides also having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. Yet, results were not always consistent, and hence this meta-analysis gathered evidence from 32 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which included a total of 1674 subjects and investigated the effect of saffron supplements on cardiovascular risk factors such as blood fats, blood glucose control, blood pressure, anthropometric measures, and inflammatory markers. In conclusion, the analysis showed that saffron supplementation aided the reduction of some inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-α), had favourable effects on antioxidant capacity, reduced blood fats except high-density lipoprotein (HDL), enhanced blood control and insulin sensitivity, reduced blood pressure and was linked to a reduction in waist circumference but with no significant effect on weight itself, BMI or fat mass. The authors discussed how their results relate to previous research and what underlying mechanisms can explain the effects or discrepancies. Given the positive results, saffron presents itself as a promising supplement and adjunct therapy for managing CVD and its risk factors.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world and is estimated to involve more people in the next years. It is said that alternative remedies such as herbs can be used to manage the complications of this disease. For this reason, we aimed to conduct this meta-analysis to systematically assess and summarize the effects of saffron supplementation as an important herb on cardiovascular risk factors in adults. METHODS A systematic search was done in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to find eligible articles up to September 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of saffron on lipid profiles, glycemic control, blood pressure, anthropometric measures, and inflammatory markers were included. In the meta-analysis, 32 studies were taken into account (n = 1674). RESULTS Consumption of saffron significantly decreased triglyceride (TG) (WMD = -8.81 mg/dl, 95%CI: -14.33, -3.28; P = 0.002), total cholesterol (TC) (WMD = -6.87 mg/dl, 95%CI: -11.19, -2.56; P = 0.002), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (WMD = -6.71 mg/dl, 95%CI: -10.51, -2.91; P = 0.001), (P = 0.660), fasting blood glucose (FBG) level (WMD = -7.59 mg/dl, 95%CI: -11.88, -3.30; P = 0.001), HbA1c (WMD = -0.18%, 95%CI: -0.21, -0.07; P < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD = -0.49, 95%CI: -0.89, -0.09; P = 0.016), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD = -3.42 mmHg, 95%CI: -5.80, -1.04; P = 0.005), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (WMD = -2.54 pg/ml, 95%CI: -4.43, -0.65; P = 0.008), waist circumference (WC) (WMD = -1.50 cm; 95%CI: -2.83, -0.18; P = 0.026), malondialdehyde (MDA) (WMD = -1.50 uM/L, 95%CI: -2.42, -0.57; P = 0.001), and alanine transferase (ALT) (WMD = -2.16 U/L, 95%CI: -4.10, -0.23; P = 0.028). Also, we observed that saffron had an increasing effect on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (WMD = 0.07 mM/L, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.13; P = 0.032). There was linear regression between FBG and the duration of saffron intake. Additionally, the non-linear dose-response analysis has shown a significant association of saffron intervention with HDL (P = 0.049), HOMA-IR (P = 0.002), weight (P = 0.036), ALP (P = 0.016), FBG (P = 0.011), HbA1c (P = 0.002), and TNF-α (P = 0.042). A non-linear association between the length of the intervention and the level of HDL and DBP was also found. DISCUSSION That seems saffron could effectively improve TG, TC, LDL, FBG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, SBP, CRP, TNF-α, WC, MDA, TAC, and ALT.
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Effects of the Treatment with Flavonoids on Metabolic Syndrome Components in Humans: A Systematic Review Focusing on Mechanisms of Action.
Gouveia, HJCB, Urquiza-Martínez, MV, Manhães-de-Castro, R, Costa-de-Santana, BJR, Villarreal, JP, Mercado-Camargo, R, Torner, L, de Souza Aquino, J, Toscano, AE, Guzmán-Quevedo, O
International journal of molecular sciences. 2022;23(15)
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Metabolic syndrome is a condition characterised by at least three of the five risk factors, such as abdominal obesity, elevated fasting glucose, blood pressure and triglycerides and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). There is a strong link between metabolic syndrome and the development of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Research suggests that increasing consumption of flavonoid-rich foods can be beneficial in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Flavonoids are bioactive compounds that possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, anti-mutagenic, and enzymatic properties. This systematic review of 29 randomised controlled trials evaluated the beneficial effects of long-term flavonoid supplementation in reducing the risk factors of metabolic syndrome. This review included a variety of flavonoid supplements, such as anthocyanin, hesperidin, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (egcg), genistein, theaflavin, catechin, and eriocitrin. Additionally, this research investigated the mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of flavonoid supplementation. Results showed that flavonoid supplementation for at least three weeks improved metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers, with hesperidin showing the greatest improvements in metabolic parameters. Healthcare professionals can use these findings to understand the potential benefits of long-term flavonoid supplementation in improving metabolic parameters. However, more robust studies are needed to determine the therapeutic dosages of different flavonoids.
Abstract
Diets high in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, have been used to mitigate metabolic syndrome (MetS). Polyphenols are a large group of naturally occurring bioactive compounds, classified into two main classes: non-flavonoids and flavonoids. Flavonoids are distributed in foods, such as fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine, and cocoa. Studies have already demonstrated the benefits of flavonoids on the cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as cancer cells. The present review summarizes the results of clinical studies that evaluated the effects of flavonoids on the components of the MetS and associated complications when offered as supplements over the long term. The results show that flavonoids can significantly modulate several metabolic parameters, such as lipid profile, blood pressure, and blood glucose. Only theaflavin and catechin were unable to affect metabolic parameters. Moreover, only body weight and body mass index were unaltered. Thus, the evidence presented in this systematic review offers bases in support of a flavonoid supplementation, held for at least 3 weeks, as a strategy to improve several metabolic parameters and, consequently, reduce the risk of diseases associated with MetS. This fact becomes stronger due to the rare side effects reported with flavonoids.
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Testosterone does not affect lower urinary tract symptoms while improving markers of prostatitis in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized clinical trial.
Rastrelli, G, Cipriani, S, Lotti, F, Cellai, I, Comeglio, P, Filippi, S, Boddi, V, Della Camera, PA, Santi, R, Boni, L, et al
Journal of endocrinological investigation. 2022;45(7):1413-1425
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Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — also called benign prostate enlargement — is frequent in aging populations, with a 40 – 50% prevalence in men aged 50–60 years and up to 90% in men older than 80 years. The aim of this study was to verify whether testosterone therapy (TTh) in men with BPH, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and low testosterone is able to improve lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and intraprostatic inflammation. This study is a double blind, randomised 24-week clinical trial in men with low testosterone and MetS and a candidate for prostate surgery for BPH. Patients (n=144) were centrally randomised 1:1 to one of the two groups; TTh or placebo. Results show that TTh administered for 24 weeks is a safe option and it improves prostatic inflammatory features thus ameliorating one of the pathogenic components of BPH. However, there were no differences in improvements of the urinary symptoms between both groups (TTh and placebo). Authors conclude that decreased inflammation is not accompanied by a consistent improvement in urinary symptoms, and that their findings show the safety of TTh in subjects with BPH of surgical significance.
Abstract
PURPOSE Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a result of prostate inflammation, frequently occurring in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Low testosterone is common in MetS. A randomized clinical trial was designed to evaluate if 24 weeks of testosterone therapy (TTh) in BPH men with MetS and low testosterone improve urinary symptoms and prostate inflammation. METHODS One-hundred-twenty men with MetS waitlisted for BPH surgery were enrolled. They were categorized into normal testosterone (TT ≥ 12 nmol/L and cFT ≥ 225 pmol/L; n = 48) and testosterone deficient (TD) (TT < 12 nmol/L and/or cFT < 225 pmol/L; n = 72) then randomized to testosterone gel 2% (5 g/daily) or placebo for 24 weeks. At baseline and follow-up, questionnaires for urinary symptoms and trans-rectal ultrasound were performed. Prostate tissue was collected for molecular and histopathological analyses. RESULTS No differences in the improvement of urinary symptoms were found between TTh and placebo (OR [95% CI] 0.96 [0.39; 2.37]). In TD + TTh, increase in prostate but not adenoma volume was observed (2.64 mL [0.07; 5.20] and 1.82 mL [- 0.46; 0.41], respectively). Ultrasound markers of inflammation were improved. In a subset of 61 men, a hyper-expression of several pro-inflammatory genes was found in TD + placebo when compared with normal testosterone. TTh was able to counteract this effect. For 80 men, the inflammatory infiltrate was higher in TD + placebo than in normal testosterone (0.8 points [0.2; 1.4]) and TD + TTh men (0.9 points [0.2; 1.5]). CONCLUSIONS Twenty-four weeks of TTh in TD men with BPH and MetS improves ultrasound, molecular and histological proxies of prostate inflammation. This does not result in symptom improvement.
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Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Are Associated With Age-Related Endothelial Dysfunction in Men With Low Testosterone.
Babcock, MC, DuBose, LE, Witten, TL, Stauffer, BL, Hildreth, KL, Schwartz, RS, Kohrt, WM, Moreau, KL
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2022;107(2):e500-e514
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Serum testosterone declines gradually with age at a rate of ~1% per year after the third decade. Vascular aging, featuring endothelial dysfunction mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation, is a major risk factor for the development of age-associated cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of low testosterone on cardiovascular aging in men. This study is a cross-sectional study which recruited 58 healthy men of all races/ethnic backgrounds aged 50-75 years (middle-aged/older) and 18-40 years (young). Results show that middle-aged/older men with lower testosterone have evidence of “accelerated” vascular aging, as indicated by a greater age-associated endothelial dysfunction of large arteries compared with their age-matched peers. The greater macrovascular endothelial dysfunction in middle-aged/older men with chronically low testosterone was independent of CVD risk factors or symptoms of androgen deficiency. Furthermore, increased systemic oxidative stress and inflammation are mechanistically linked to the greater age-associated endothelial dysfunction in middle-aged/older men with lower testosterone. Authors conclude that normal physiological levels of testosterone may be beneficial to cardiovascular health by attenuating the age-related decline in endothelial function.
Abstract
CONTEXT Vascular aging, including endothelial dysfunction secondary to oxidative stress and inflammation, increases the risk for age-associated cardiovascular disease (CVD). Low testosterone in middle-aged/older men is associated with increased CVD risk. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that low testosterone contributes to age-associated endothelial dysfunction, related in part to greater oxidative stress and inflammation. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 58 healthy, nonsmoking men categorized as young (N = 20; age 29 ± 4 years; testosterone 500 ± 58 ng/dL), middle-aged/older with higher testosterone (N = 20; age 60 ± 6 years; testosterone 512 ± 115 ng/dL), and middle-aged/older lower testosterone (N = 18; age 59 ± 8 years; testosterone 269 ± 48 ng/dL). Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMDBA) was measured during acute infusion of saline (control) and vitamin C (antioxidant). Markers of oxidative stress (total antioxidant status and oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), inflammation (interleukin [IL]-6 and C-reactive protein [CRP]), and androgen deficiency symptoms were also examined. RESULTS During saline, FMDBA was reduced in middle-aged/older compared with young, regardless of testosterone status (P < 0.001). FMDBA was reduced in middle-aged/older lower testosterone (3.7% ± 2.0%) compared with middle-aged/older higher testosterone (5.7% ± 2.2%; P = 0.021), independent of symptoms. Vitamin C increased FMDBA (to 5.3% ± 1.6%; P = 0.022) in middle-aged/older lower testosterone but had no effect in young (P = 0.992) or middle-aged/older higher testosterone (P = 0.250). FMDBA correlated with serum testosterone (r = 0.45; P < 0.001), IL-6 (r = -0.41; P = 0.002), and CRP (r = -0.28; P = 0.041). CONCLUSION Healthy middle-aged/older men with low testosterone appear to have greater age-associated endothelial dysfunction, related in part to greater oxidative stress and inflammation. These data suggest that low testosterone concentrations may contribute to accelerated vascular aging in men.
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The Therapeutic Roles of Cinnamaldehyde against Cardiovascular Diseases.
Lu, L, Xiong, Y, Zhou, J, Wang, G, Mi, B, Liu, G
Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity. 2022;2022:9177108
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still a growing concern around the world. Current treatments for the prevention of CVD are inadequate due to limited efficacy and the occurrence of side effects and so there is a need for new therapies. Cinnamaldehyde (CA), which is an active constituent of cinnamon has been reported to have protective effects against certain diseases and evidence is growing for its use against the initiation and development of CVD. This review study aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of CA. The review reported that CA is a compound that is relatively safe but is not easily absorbed by the body, however it can be encapsulated into capsules that enable it to be more easily absorbed. CA was reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antithrombotic, blood cell dilatory and blood sugar lowering properties. In addition, CA was shown to prevent the death of cells of the heart and modulate the gut microbiota all of which may be cardioprotective. It was concluded that CA can benefit the heart in several ways. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand that cinnamon may be of benefit to heart health, however as studies in humans were not reviewed, further research is warranted before recommendations are made.
Abstract
Evidence from epidemiological studies has demonstrated that the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) increase year by year, which pose a great threat on social economy and human health worldwide. Due to limited therapeutic benefits and associated adverse effects of current medications, there is an urgent need to uncover novel agents with favorable safety and efficacy. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is a bioactive phytochemical isolated from the stem bark of Chinese herbal medicine Cinnamon and has been suggested to possess curative roles against the development of CVDs. This integrated review intends to summarize the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic features of CA and discuss the recent advances in underlying mechanisms and potential targets responsible for anti-CVD properties of CA. The CA-related cardiovascular protective mechanisms could be attributed to the inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, improvement of lipid and glucose metabolism, regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, suppression of cardiac fibrosis, and platelet aggregation and promotion of vasodilation and angiogenesis. Furthermore, CA is likely to inhibit CVD progression via affecting other possible processes including autophagy and ER stress regulation, gut microbiota and immune homeostasis, ion metabolism, ncRNA expression, and TRPA1 activation. Collectively, experiments reported previously highlight the therapeutic effects of CA and clinical trials are advocated to offer scientific basis for the compound future applied in clinical practice for CVD prophylaxis and treatment.
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The Effect of Ketogenic Diet on Shared Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer.
Mohammadifard, N, Haghighatdoost, F, Rahimlou, M, Rodrigues, APS, Gaskarei, MK, Okhovat, P, de Oliveira, C, Silveira, EA, Sarrafzadegan, N
Nutrients. 2022;14(17)
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Cardiovascular disease and cancer are major causes of mortality worldwide and share common pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors. The ketogenic diet, a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet, may alter metabolic pathways, potentially lowering the risk of developing these diseases. Specifically, the ketogenic diet improves energy metabolism by promoting the use of body ketones for energy production. This review examines the protective effects of the ketogenic diet in reducing cardiovascular disease and cancer risk and explores the underlying mechanisms. The ketogenic diet may suppress oxidative stress and inflammation while improving common risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia. It is important to conduct further rigorous studies to assess the long-term effects of the ketogenic diet. However, healthcare professionals can use these findings to understand the short-term benefits of the diet in managing metabolic abnormalities and reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are the first and second leading causes of death worldwide, respectively. Epidemiological evidence has demonstrated that the incidence of cancer is elevated in patients with CVD and vice versa. However, these conditions are usually regarded as separate events despite the presence of shared risk factors between both conditions, such as metabolic abnormalities and lifestyle. Cohort studies suggested that controlling for CVD risk factors may have an impact on cancer incidence. Therefore, it could be concluded that interventions that improve CVD and cancer shared risk factors may potentially be effective in preventing and treating both diseases. The ketogenic diet (KD), a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet, has been widely prescribed in weight loss programs for metabolic abnormalities. Furthermore, recent research has investigated the effects of KD on the treatment of numerous diseases, including CVD and cancer, due to its role in promoting ketolysis, ketogenesis, and modifying many other metabolic pathways with potential favorable health effects. However, there is still great debate regarding prescribing KD in patients either with CVD or cancer. Considering the number of studies on this topic, there is a clear need to summarize potential mechanisms through which KD can improve cardiovascular health and control cell proliferation. In this review, we explained the history of KD, its types, and physiological effects and discussed how it could play a role in CVD and cancer treatment and prevention.
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Dietary macronutrients and the gut microbiome: a precision nutrition approach to improve cardiometabolic health.
Jardon, KM, Canfora, EE, Goossens, GH, Blaak, EE
Gut. 2022;71(6):1214-1226
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The global rise in the prevalence of obesity is strongly associated with an increase in the incidence and prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases, including insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In recent years, advancements have been made in understanding the involvement of the gut microbiome in obesity and related cardiometabolic complications as regulator of host energy and substrate metabolism. This study is a review that discusses the latest research describing interactions between dietary composition, the gut microbiome and host metabolism. Results show that current evidence for developing optimal dietary interventions targeting bodyweight control and IR via the gut microbiota is still in its infancy and does not capture the complexity of the integration of a whole-diet approach, the microbial and the host’s metabolic phenotype. Furthermore, implementation of targeted, precision nutrition intervention strategies or dietary guidelines for individuals or subgroups in public health requires further insight in the mechanisms involved in (non-)response to dietary intervention. Authors conclude that future studies are needed and these should focus on assessing detailed individual phenotyping and gaining insight into the balance between carbohydrate and protein fermentation by the gut microbiota as well as the site of fermentation in the colon.
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that the gut microbiome is an important regulator of body weight, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammatory processes, and may thereby play a key role in the aetiology of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Interindividual responsiveness to specific dietary interventions may be partially determined by differences in baseline gut microbiota composition and functionality between individuals with distinct metabolic phenotypes. However, the relationship between an individual's diet, gut microbiome and host metabolic phenotype is multidirectional and complex, yielding a challenge for practical implementation of targeted dietary guidelines. In this review, we discuss the latest research describing interactions between dietary composition, the gut microbiome and host metabolism. Furthermore, we describe how this knowledge can be integrated to develop precision-based nutritional strategies to improve bodyweight control and metabolic health in humans. Specifically, we will address that (1) insight in the role of the baseline gut microbial and metabolic phenotype in dietary intervention response may provide leads for precision-based nutritional strategies; that (2) the balance between carbohydrate and protein fermentation by the gut microbiota, as well as the site of fermentation in the colon, seems important determinants of host metabolism; and that (3) 'big data', including multiple omics and advanced modelling, are of undeniable importance in predicting (non-)response to dietary interventions. Clearly, detailed metabolic and microbial phenotyping in humans is necessary to better understand the link between diet, the gut microbiome and host metabolism, which is required to develop targeted dietary strategies and guidelines for different subgroups of the population.
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Anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol in patients with cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Teimouri, M, Homayouni-Tabrizi, M, Rajabian, A, Amiri, H, Hosseini, H
Complementary therapies in medicine. 2022;70:102863
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Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) include various heart or/and blood vessel disorders, such as cerebrovascular disease, congenital heart disease, and coronary artery disease. It is well shown that prolonged or chronic inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of several disorders, especially CVDs. Resveratrol has recently been considered a choice for preventing and treating inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of resveratrol on serum/plasma concentration of specific inflammatory markers - tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and c-reactive protein (CRP) - in patients with CVDs. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of six randomised controlled studies with a total of 415 participants. Results show that resveratrol significantly decreases CRP and TNF-α concentration; however, it did not significantly affect the serum concentration of IL-6 in patients with CVDs. Authors conclude that there is a potential preventive effect of resveratrol supplementation on inflammatory conditions in CVD patients. However, larger randomised clinical trials are needed to further investigate and explore the effects of resveratrol supplementations.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic inflammation is one of the most important factors involved in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVDs). Accumulating evidence has described the effect of resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound, on biomarkers of inflammation among patients with CVDs; however, findings are controversial. Here we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effect of resveratrol supplements on TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP levels in CVDs patients. METHODS Online research was conducted in the following database: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science databases, and Scopus. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the effects of resveratrol supplements on inflammatory biomarkers among patients with CVDs. The meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) V3 software. RESULTS Six RCTs met the inclusion criteria and were selected for the current meta-analysis. Our results demonstrated that resveratrol significantly decreases serum levels of CRP (MD = -0.63, 95 % CI: -0.1.13, -0.12; p = 0.01), and TNF-α (MD = -0.55, 95 % CI: -1.04, -0.06; p = 0.02), however, resveratrol had not significant effect on serum concentration of IL-6 (MD = -0.12, 95 % CI: -0.52, 0.27; p = 0.53), in patients with CVDs. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that resveratrol can be used as a potential treatment in patients with CVD by reducing inflammatory conditions.