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Atherogenic Index Reduction and Weight Loss in Metabolic Syndrome Patients Treated with A Novel Pectin-Enriched Formulation of Bergamot Polyphenols.
Capomolla, AS, Janda, E, Paone, S, Parafati, M, Sawicki, T, Mollace, R, Ragusa, S, Mollace, V
Nutrients. 2019;11(6)
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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of several cardiometabolic risk factors, including hyperglycaemia [high levels of blood glucose] or glucose intolerance, high levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, abdominal adiposity and obesity. The purpose of this small-scale clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of bergamot juice extract on MetS patients with moderate hyperglycemia. The study is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial which enrolled MetS patients (n=52) aged between 40 to 80 years. Participants were assigned to one of the two treatment groups, or a matched placebo group for a period of 90 days. Results indicate a significant amelioration of dyslipidaemia [abnormal blood lipid levels] and insulin sensitivity in MetS patients after bergamot polyphenol extract complex supplementation. Another important finding is the dose-dependent reduction of body weight and BMI by 10% to 16% in patients receiving low and high dose of bergamot polyphenol extract complex supplementation. Authors conclude that bergamot juice-derived food supplements enriched with pectins and vitamin C, significantly stimulate weight loss, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce circulating insulin, leptin, and ghrelin levels, while increasing significantly the levels of cardioprotective adiponectin.
Abstract
: Bergamot flavonoids counteract dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia but fail to induce a significant weight loss. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of bergamot polyphenol extract complex (BPE-C), a novel bergamot juice-derived formulation enriched with flavonoids and pectins, on several metabolic syndrome parameters. Obese patients with atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) over 0.34 and mild hyperglycemia were recruited to a double-blind randomized trial comparing two doses of BPE-C (650 and 1300 mg daily) with placebo. Fifty-two subjects met the inclusion criteria and were assigned to three experimental groups. Fifteen subjects per group completed 90 days-trial. BPE-C reduced significantly fasting glucose by 18.1%, triglycerides by 32% and cholesterol parameters by up to 41.4%, leading to a powerful reduction of AIP (below 0.2) in the high dose group. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and insulin levels were also reduced. Moreover, BPE-C decreased body weight by 14.8% and body mass index by 15.9% in BPE-C high group. This correlated with a significant reduction of circulating hormones balancing caloric intake, including leptin, ghrelin and upregulation of adiponectin. All effects showed a dose-dependent tendency. This study suggests that food supplements, containing full spectrum of bergamot juice components, such as BPE-C efficiently induce a combination of weight loss and insulin sensitivity effects together with a robust reduction of atherosclerosis risk.
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Comparison of the Effects of Fasting Glucose, Hemoglobin A1c, and Triglyceride-Glucose Index on Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Su, WY, Chen, SC, Huang, YT, Huang, JC, Wu, PY, Hsu, WH, Lee, MY
Nutrients. 2019;11(11)
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Cardiovascular disease generally refers to the narrowing or blockage of the arteries of the heart, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke and is the major cause of death in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Identifying individuals with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease could ensure better management of these patients. This retrospective observational study of 3524 individuals with type 2 diabetes aimed to investigate if the amount of sugar found in the blood over the last few months, known as haemaglobin A1c (HbA1c) can predict cardiovascular disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes. In addition, the study looked at the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and its relationship to cardiovascular disease outcomes. The results showed that several factors were associated with cardiovascular disease, however of main note was that the TyG index and the amount of sugar in the blood following a fast were associated with increased cardiovascular events in individuals with type 2 diabetes, but HbA1c was not. It was concluded that TyG and the blood sugar level could be used to allow early identification and management of type 2 diabetics to prevent cardiovascular events. Clinicians could use this study to justify the use of measuring the TyG index and blood sugar levels as a predictor for cardiovascular events to ensure that patients are managed not only for type 2 diabetes but also to reduce their risk of cardiovascular events in the future.
Abstract
The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been correlated with insulin resistance. We aim to investigate the role of the TyG index on cardiovascular (CV) events in type 2 diabetes mellitus and compare the roles of fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and the TyG index in predicting CV events. This retrospective study enrolled 3524 patients with type 2 diabetes from the Kaohsiung Medical University Research Database in 2009 in this longitudinal study and followed them until 2015. The TyG index was calculated as log (fasting triglyceride level (mg/dL) × fasting glucose level (mg/dL)/2). CV events included myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, hospitalization for coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and CV-related death. The association between variables and CV events was assessed using a multivariable stepwise Cox proportional hazard analysis. Two hundred and fifteen CV events (6.1%) were recorded during a follow-up period of 5.93 years. The multivariable stepwise analysis showed that high fasting glucose (HR, 1.007; p < 0.001) and a high TyG index (HR, 1.521; p = 0.004) but not hemoglobin A1c or triglycerides were associated with a higher rate of CV events. Adding fasting glucose and the TyG index to the basic model improved the predictive ability of progression to a CV event (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018, respectively), over that of hemoglobin A1c (p = 0.084) and triglyceride (p = 0.221). Fasting glucose and the TyG index are useful parameters and stronger predictive factors than hemoglobin A1c and triglyceride for CV events and may offer an additional prognostic benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes.
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Associations of Meal Timing and Frequency with Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Adults.
Ha, K, Song, Y
Nutrients. 2019;11(10)
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The timing of food intake appears to affect the robustness of circadian rhythms in metabolic organs, and circadian rhythm disruption is emerging as a new risk factor for cardiovascular disease. As major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, obesity and metabolic syndrome are critical worldwide issues. In Korea, 3 in 10 adults have obesity or the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to explore meal timing and frequency using various variables, including nightly fasting duration and specific time periods such as morning and night, and to examine their associations with obesity and metabolic syndrome in Korean adults using national survey data. The study used data from the 2013–2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), which is a continuous annual survey conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Results indicated that a greater number of eating episodes was associated with lower prevalence of metabolic abnormalities in men. Furthermore, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was inversely associated with morning eating in both men and women, whereas it was positively associated with night eating in men. Authors conclude that having desirable eating patterns, including eating in the morning and avoiding eating after 21:00, and an appropriate sleep schedule may be helpful for reducing the risks of obesity and metabolic syndrome, independently of fasting duration.
Abstract
Emerging studies indicate that meal timing is linked to cardiometabolic risks by deterioration of circadian rhythms, however limited evidence is available in humans. This large-scale cross-sectional study explored the associations of meal timing and frequency with obesity and metabolic syndrome among Korean adults. Meal timing was defined as nightly fasting duration and morning, evening, and night eating, and meal frequency was estimated as the number of daily eating episodes using a single-day 24-hour dietary recall method. Meal frequency was inversely associated with prevalence of abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, and elevated triglycerides in men only. Independent of the nightly fasting duration and eating episodes, morning eating was associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio (OR), 0.73; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.57-0.93 for men and OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54-0.89 for women) than no morning eating, whereas night eating was associated with a 48% higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.15-1.90) than no night eating in men only. Longer fasting duration and less sleep were associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest that overall eating patterns, including energy distribution across the day, eating frequency, and sleep duration, rather than fasting duration alone, are related to cardiometabolic risks in free-living Korean adults.
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Gender Differences with Dose⁻Response Relationship between Serum Selenium Levels and Metabolic Syndrome-A Case-Control Study.
Lu, CW, Chang, HH, Yang, KC, Chiang, CH, Yao, CA, Huang, KC
Nutrients. 2019;11(2)
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Selenium (Se) is an antioxidative micronutrient that activates Se-containing proteins known as selenoproteins. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between serum Se level and metabolic syndrome including each metabolic factor. A secondary aim was to find a correlation between obesity, insulin resistance, and gender. The study is a case control study based on the comparison of Se levels between patients with and without metabolic syndrome. The study enrolled a total of 1165 ambulatory males or females, aged more than 40 years. Results showed a positive association between serum Se level and the risk of metabolic syndrome. Also, the serum Se concentration was positively associated with a number of metabolic factors following a dose–response relationship. Authors conclude that gender stratification analyses clearly highlighted the gender differences in insulin resistance, adiposity, and lipid metabolism.
Abstract
Few studies have investigated the association between selenium and metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to explore the associations between the serum selenium level and metabolic syndrome as well as examining each metabolic factor. In this case-control study, the participants were 1165 adults aged ≥40 (65.8 ± 10.0) years. Serum selenium was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The associations between serum selenium and metabolic syndrome were examined by multivariate logistic regression analyses. The least square means were computed by general linear models to compare the serum selenium levels in relation to the number of metabolic factors. The mean serum selenium concentration was 96.34 ± 25.90 μg/L, and it was positively correlated with waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting glucose, and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in women, but it was only correlated with fasting glucose and HOMA-IR in men. After adjustment, the odds ratios (ORs) of having metabolic syndrome increased with the selenium quartile groups (p for trend: <0.05), especially in women. The study demonstrated that the serum selenium levels were positively associated with metabolic syndrome following a non-linear dose⁻response trend. Selenium concentration was positively associated with insulin resistance in men and women, but it was associated with adiposity and lipid metabolism in women. The mechanism behind this warrants further confirmation.
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Comparison of the Effectiveness of Lifestyle Modification with Other Treatments on the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in People at High Risk: A Network Meta-Analysis.
Yamaoka, K, Nemoto, A, Tango, T
Nutrients. 2019;11(6)
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The prevalence of diabetes has been increasing worldwide. The accompanying increase in the prevalence of diabetes-related complications and the occurrence of diabetes are likely to have a substantial impact on healthcare costs. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications to other treatments for patients at high risk of type 2 diabetes. The study design is a systemic review of published literature and a network meta-analysis of data from each selected study. Forty-seven interventions were used for the analyses. The results of the meta-analysis highlight the efficacy of lifestyle modification in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes in high-risk patients in comparison with standard treatment or placebo as well as other treatments. The proportion of patients with onset of type 2 diabetes in the intervention (lifestyle modification) group was approximately twice as low as compared to the control (standard intervention) group. Authors conclude that lifestyle modification is the superior treatment intervention among 12 treatments for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many clinical trials have been conducted to verify the effects of interventions for prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) using different treatments and outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications (LM) with other treatments in persons at high risk of T2D by a network meta-analysis (NMA). METHODS Searches were performed of PUBMED up to January 2018 to identify randomized controlled trials. The odds ratio (OR) with onset of T2D at 1 year in the intervention group (LM, dietary, exercise, or medication) versus a control group (standard treatments or placebo) were the effect sizes. Frequentist and Bayesian NMAs were conducted. RESULTS Forty-seven interventions and 12 treatments (20,113 participants) were used for the analyses. The OR in the LM was approximately 0.46 (95% CI: 0.33 to 0.61) times lower compared to the standard intervention by the Bayesian approach. The effects of LM compared to other treatments by indirect comparisons were not significant. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis further strengthened the evidence that LM reduces the onset of T2D compared to standard and placebo interventions and appears to be at least as effective as nine other treatments in preventing T2D.
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Adiponectin-leptin ratio: A promising index to estimate adipose tissue dysfunction. Relation with obesity-associated cardiometabolic risk.
Frühbeck, G, Catalán, V, Rodríguez, A, Gómez-Ambrosi, J
Adipocyte. 2018;7(1):57-62
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Obesity is medically defined as a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue, of sufficient extent to produce adverse health consequences. Presently, adipose tissue has emerged as an extremely active endocrine organ, based on its ability to secrete a plethora of biologically active adipokines [a class of cytokine mediators that are predominantly secreted by adipose cells] such as leptin and adiponectin. Furthermore, obesity is characterized by an increase in circulating leptin concentrations, in parallel to a decrease in blood levels of adiponectin. Thus, the adiponectin/leptin ratio has been suggested as a marker of adipose tissue dysfunction. A dysfunctional adipose tissue, evidenced by a lower adiponectin/ leptin ratio, is a clear contributor to the low-grade chronic inflammation associated with metabolic syndrome. Authors conclude that this ratio is highly and negatively correlated with markers of low-grade chronic inflammation emerging as a useful estimator of obesity- and metabolic syndrome- associated cardiometabolic risk.
Abstract
Obesity is currently the most extended metabolic disturbance worldwide favoring the development of cardiometabolic alterations such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MS) are characterized by an increase in circulating leptin concentrations, in parallel to a decrease in blood levels of adiponectin. Consequently, the adiponectin/leptin ratio has been suggested as a maker of adipose tissue dysfunction. This emerging biomarker correlates with insulin resistance better than adiponectin or leptin alone, or even HOMA and is decreased with increasing number of metabolic risk factors having been proposed as a predictive marker for the MS. Moreover, the adiponectin/leptin ratio is negatively correlated with markers of low-grade chronic inflammation. In this sense, an increase in this ratio has been related with reduced atherosclerosis risk as well as with a decreased risk of some types of cancer in epidemiological studies. In this commentary we propose new cutoffs to estimate obesity- and MS-associated cardiometabolic risk according to the adiponectin/leptin ratio and discuss different therapeutic strategies to increase this promising biomarker of metabolic risk.
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Testosterone Deficiency, Weakness, and Multimorbidity in Men.
Peterson, MD, Belakovskiy, A, McGrath, R, Yarrow, JF
Scientific reports. 2018;8(1):5897
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With age, the occurrence of total testosterone (TT) deficiency in men also increases. Such deficiency can have a detrimental impact on the musculoskeletal system leading to bone and muscle loss, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Hence muscle weakness is a known a predicitve factor for chronic disease. Whereby reference ranges have been set for testosterone levels in young healthy men, uncertainty exists about optimal levels throughout different age ranges, ethnicities and in concurrence with diseases. This observational study evaluated how TT deficiency and muscle weakness assessed via grip strength, relates to chronic health conditions in men. The study included 2399 young, middle-aged, and older men in the US, with a diverse ethnic backgrounds, who presented with and without testosterone deficiency. The findings indicated that TT levels were highest amongst young men, yet no particular difference was seen in levels between middle-aged and older men. Grip strength decreased in the higher age categories. Chronic health conditions were more common in young and older men who displayed testosterone deficiencies, whilst low testosterone and reduced grip strength were linked to the presence of chronic disease in all age groups. Overall the study confirmed previous research, that in men with testosterone deficiency chronic disease was much more prevalent, even after accounting for other variables. The study also observed a much lower average of TT levels in young men compared to previous research, in mostly white males. Thus testosterone deficiency appears much more common in men of all ages when including a variety of ethnic groups. As low testosterone may play an early, causal role in the chronic disease process, continuous monitoring of testosterone levels through the life span may aid the early identification of chronic disease development or disease progression. Further research is needed on the independent and joint effects of low TT and muscular weakness. From a clinical perspective, this study affirms that low testosterone in men is a presenting risk factor for chronic disease and that chronic disease is commonly accompanied by low testosterone. It also highlights some unsettled aspects around reference ranges of testosterone
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to evaluate the association between total testosterone (TT) deficiency and weakness on multimorbidity in men. Analyses were performed to examine the prevalence of multimobidity among young, middle-aged, and older men, with and without testosterone deficiency. Multivariate logistic models were also used to determine the association between age-specific TT tertiles and multimorbidity, adjusting for key sociodemographic variables, as well as a secondary analysis adjusted for grip strength. Multimorbidity was more prevalent among men with testosterone deficiency, compared to normal TT in the entire group (36.6% vs 55.2%; p < 0.001); however, differences were only seen within young (testosterone deficiency: 36.4%; normal TT: 13.5%; p < 0.001) and older men (testosterone deficiency: 75.0%; normal TT: 61.5%; p < 0.001). Robust associations were found between the age-specific low-TT (OR: 2.87; 95%CI: 2.14-3.83) and moderate-TT (OR: 1.67; 95%CI: 1.27-2.20) tertiles (reference high-TT) and multimorbidity. Secondary analysis demonstrated that both low TT (OR: 1.82; 95%CI: 1.29-2.55) and moderate-TT (OR: 1.31; 95%CI: 1.01-1.69) were associated with multimorbidity, even after adjusting for obesity (OR: 1.75; 95%CI: 1.07-2.87) and NGS (OR: 1.21 per 0.05 unit lower NGS). Low TT and weakness in men were independently associated with multimorbidity at all ages; however, multimorbidity was more prevalent among young and older men with testosterone deficiency.
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The Association between Mediterranean Diet and the Risk of Falls and Physical Function Indices in Older Type 2 Diabetic People Varies by Age.
Tepper, S, Alter Sivashensky, A, Rivkah Shahar, D, Geva, D, Cukierman-Yaffe, T
Nutrients. 2018;10(6)
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Diabetes is associated with high risk for disability, and accelerated rate of decline in physical capacity. The aim of the study is to examine whether a higher adherence to a Mediterranean Diet in a Mediterranean country is associated with walking speed, better physical function and decreased risk for falls. This cross-sectional study includes data of 117 individuals, of which 40% were females, with Type 2 diabetes aged over 60 years. Results indicate that those individuals with a higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet were at lower risk for falls and had greater muscle strength. The relationship between physical performance measured by walking speed, walking distance and Mediterranean Diet differed by age. Authors conclude that there is an association between the balances indices, risk for falls, muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and Mediterranean Diet among 60+ individuals with diabetes.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Diabetes and dysglycemia increase the risk of frailty and decreased physical abilities. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) may reduce this risk. We hypothesized that adherence to the MD is associated with physical function in older type-2 diabetic patients and that the association is stratified by age. METHODS AND RESULTS We recruited type-2 diabetes patients aged >60 years at the Center for Successful Aging with Diabetes at Sheba Medical Center. Health status and demographic data were obtained from medical records. Food Frequency Questionnaire was used for nutritional assessment and calculation of MD score. Physical function indices were determined by a physiotherapist and included: Berg Balance test, Timed Get-Up-and-Go, 6-min walk (6 MW), 10-m walk (10 MW), Four Square Step Test, 30-s chair stand and Grip strength, and activities and instrumental activities of daily living. Among 117 participants (age 70.6 ± 6.5), high adherence to MD was associated with better score on functional tests (low vs. high MD adherence: 9.7% vs. 25%, ANOVA p = 0.02). A significant age by MD interaction was found: a higher adherence to MD was associated with a better 6 MW (low vs. high: 387 ± 35 m vs. 483 ± 26 m; p = 0.001) and higher 10 MW (low vs. high: 1.8 ± 0.16 m/s vs. 2.0 ± 0.13 m/s; p = 0.02) in participants aged >75 years. These associations remained significant after controlling for gender, age, BMI, and physical activity. CONCLUSION In the current study, we showed relationships between strength, physical performance, and MD among older diabetic patients. Future studies are needed to confirm this association and establish temporal relationships.
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The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress-A Systematic Review.
Boyle, NB, Lawton, C, Dye, L
Nutrients. 2017;9(5)
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15% of the population experience anxiety-related conditions at some point in their lives. Several studies have found a relationship between low magnesium (Mg) and an increased likelihood of stress and anxiety. This systematic review examined the available evidence for the effectiveness of Mg supplementation in reducing anxiety and stress. 18 studies were included in the review. Of the eight studies looking at Mg supplementation and anxiety, four reported positive results. Four of seven studies on premenstrual syndrome and one of two studies in people with high blood pressure reported positive effects of Mg on anxiety. Mg had no effect on postpartum anxiety in the study reviewed. The authors concluded that existing evidence is suggestive of a beneficial effect of Mg on anxiety. However, the quality of the existing evidence is poor. Well-designed randomised controlled trials are required to further confirm the effect of Mg supplementation on anxiety and stress.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety related conditions are the most common affective disorders present in the general population with a lifetime prevalence of over 15%. Magnesium (Mg) status is associated with subjective anxiety, leading to the proposition that Mg supplementation may attenuate anxiety symptoms. This systematic review examines the available evidence for the efficacy of Mg supplementation in the alleviation of subjective measures of anxiety and stress. METHODS A systematic search of interventions with Mg alone or in combination (up to 5 additional ingredients) was performed in May 2016. Ovid Medline, PsychInfo, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane databases were searched using equivalent search terms. A grey literature review of relevant sources was also undertaken. RESULTS 18 studies were included in the review. All reviewed studies recruited samples based upon an existing vulnerability to anxiety: mildly anxious, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), postpartum status, and hypertension. Four/eight studies in anxious samples, four/seven studies in PMS samples, and one/two studies in hypertensive samples reported positive effects of Mg on subjective anxiety outcomes. Mg had no effect on postpartum anxiety. No study administered a validated measure of subjective stress as an outcome. CONCLUSIONS Existing evidence is suggestive of a beneficial effect of Mg on subjective anxiety in anxiety vulnerable samples. However, the quality of the existing evidence is poor. Well-designed randomised controlled trials are required to further confirm the efficacy of Mg supplementation.
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Olive Polyphenols and the Metabolic Syndrome.
Saibandith, B, Spencer, JPE, Rowland, IR, Commane, DM
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2017;22(7)
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Up to 25% of the world’s population has metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterised by a combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity and abnormal levels of fats in the blood. People with MetS have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The development of MetS is related to modifiable diet and lifestyle factors. This review presents evidence from previous studies investigating the relationship between consumption of olive products, and aspects of MetS, and discusses potential mechanisms linking olive consumption to improvements in markers of health. The authors found good evidence from previous human studies showing that the consumption of olives and olive oil lowers blood pressure in people diagnosed with high blood pressure. There is also good evidence that olives and olive oil can improve blood glucose levels in those with prediabetes and improve markers of lipid peroxidation. There is limited, but promising evidence for effects on dyslipidaemia and the inhibition of weight gain. Studies that used extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) used doses of up to 50g per day, well above the amount that is consumed habitually in most diets. Further evidence is needed to confirm the mechanisms and benefits of olive polyphenols, but the authors suggest that they may explain some of the metabolic benefits associated with a Mediterranean diet.
Abstract
Here, the effects of consuming polyphenol-rich olive products, including olive leaves, their crude extract, and extra virgin olive oil, on aspects of the metabolic syndrome are reviewed. We have sought to summarize the available scientific evidence from dietary intervention trials demonstrating a role for these phytochemicals in ameliorating aberrant glucose metabolism, high blood pressure and elevated blood lipids, and we discuss the potential mechanisms underpinning these observations. Searches for relevant literature published in English were conducted via PubMed and Science Direct. Based on published dietary intervention studies, there is convincing evidence to show that olive polyphenols, independently of olive lipids, reduce risk factors for metabolic syndrome, in particular by improving blood sugar and blood pressure control, and in reducing low density lipoprotein oxidation. There is more limited evidence to suggest that the consumption of olive polyphenols or related products can reduce body weight and visceral fat or impede weight gain, and similarly there are some limited data suggesting improved lipid profiles. There is some mechanistic data to support observations made in human volunteers, but further work is needed in this area. The consumption of olive polyphenols within the context of a healthy pattern of food intake may, in part, explain the reduced risk of metabolic disease associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet.