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Dear Colleagues and Friends,
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The Mediterranean diet (MD) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), as its most characteristic component, have been associated with the prevention of chronic diseases in numerous studies. More research is now emerging on the molecular scale, for example at the platelet level, microbiome profile, miRNA, and lipid components of High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
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Within this molecular context, we found four new interesting research articles. The first, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in an older population with high cardiovascular risk, associated the MD to platelet count and thrombocytopenia. Participants in this study were assigned to one of three dietary groups: MD enriched with either EVOO or nuts as the intervention groups and a low-fat diet as the control group. After 3 years of follow-up, patients following either one of the MD intervention groups had an adequate platelet count (a risk factor that increases over time), particularly among those with near-high levels at baseline. In addition, a decreased risk of thrombocytopenia was observed in the MD intervention groups; in particular among subjects who received EVOO supplementation. These findings further support the cardiovascular benefits of this dietary pattern, which are explained in part by its anti-inflammatory capacity.
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A second RCT studied the effect of virgin olive oil and its phenolic compounds in patients with hypercholesterolaemia. Three types of olive oil were evaluated: VOO (virgin olive oil), FVOO (virgin olive oil enriched with its own phenolic compounds) and FVOOT (virgin olive oil with additional phenolic compounds from thyme). Surprisingly, VOO and FVOO (not FVOOT) significantly increased monounsaturated fatty acids and decreased saturated and polyunsaturated fats. These changes are of great value for the HDL lipidome, ensuring an adequate HDL efflux capacity, and ultimately reducing cardiovascular risk.
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Novel forms of analyzing the Mediterranean diet are now finding strong relationships between particular microRNA sequences in patients with morbid obesity and metabolic syndrome. Changes in different miRNA were observed in those following the MD pattern, such as higher serum levels of mir-950, which were positively associated with better metabolic profile and HDL within normal range. Likewise, lower serum levels of mir-192 were observed in participants following the MD, whereas high serum levels of mir-192 were associated with worse metabolic profiles and lower HDL.
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Finally, a cohort study evaluated the long term effects of the MD pattern and its positive effects on the gut microbiome profile, as well as cardiovascular disease risk. It was noted that greater adherence to the MD resulted in a colonization of strains of bacteria capable of metabolizing dietary fibre. Most notably, significant interactions were observed between MD adherence and gut microbiome in relation to cardiovascular disease risk. The main goal of the article was to promote the inclusion of gut-microbiome analyses in the field of precision nutrition for its potential to identify specific clinical scenarios and offer individualized treatments for patients. In conclusion, these studies at the molecular level open the door to more personalized nutrition and the ability of the MD and EVOO to modulate metabolic risk factors.
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