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Dear Colleagues and Friends,
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The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a primary exposure of interest for numerous studies based on its cardio-protective, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer properties, etc. However, there are other less researched fields, such as the relationship between the MD and the prevention of erectile dysfunction among men. In this study, erectile dysfunction was studied as the main outcome since it is an early sign of cardiovascular disease with serious implications on the quality of life of young adults. This research showed an inverse association between men with high versus low adherence to the MD. More specifically, subjects under 60 years of age had an average risk reduction of 22%, although a significant risk reduction was also observed in men between 60 to 70 years of age. It was concluded that men should be counselled regarding their dietary practices for the prevention of erectile dysfunction.
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The main component of the MD is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), widely known for its phenolic compounds that help in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. In this context, two new lines of research are proposed with olive oil: its effect on brown adipose tissue (BAT) and for the development of novel anti-cancer molecules based on the 3D modeling of oleacin (a phenolic compound found in EVOO). The first of these topics was studied in a clinical trial based on an EVOO consumption intervention. The results showed that the high monounsaturated fats present in EVOO increased BAT activity, leptin concentrations and other mediators of BAT activity. Conversely, an in-vitro study of phenolic compounds of EVOO developed four molecules with anticarcinogenic effects attributed to the physicochemical properties of oleacein. From this study, the candidate molecules mimicked the anti-cancer stem cell properties of oleacein, which has antiproliferative properties against cancerous cells. As is evidenced by these new lines of research, all the health properties of EVOO and the Mediterranean diet have not been fully investigated. However, the potential for EVOO’s applicability in other fields of health research is promising.
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