|
|
|
|
|
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
|
Children, adolescents and diet
|
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
|
Olive oil, mediterranean diet and other diseases
|
|
Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been significantly associated with lower risk of total mortality, cardiovascular disease, or cancer, as well as lower rates of frailty and cognitive decline. These benefits have been attributed in part to the anti-inflammatory components of the nutrients and the relationships between them. However, an increased number of studies are focusing on the importance of following a dietary pattern rather than on the effect of individual nutrients. An example of this is a longitudinal study in adults over 65 years of age that aimed to correlate adherence to the MD pattern with healthy aging. Increased longevity offers opportunities for new activities and positive contributions to families and society. However, these opportunities are highly dependent on health status. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of following good dietary habits for better aging. Thus, they found that high adherence to MD was significantly associated with favorable trajectories of aging. Even though habits are moving away from the Mediterranean pattern, policies that promote adherence to MD need to be implemented to increase healthy longevity.
|
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in children and adolescents. Previous evidence supports that the Mediterranean diet is the most effective dietary pattern for weight loss and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with NAFLD. A randomized clinical trial in adolescents with NAFLD aimed to find the best treatment to improve hepatic steatosis and decrease oxidative stress. After 12 weeks of treatment with the Mediterranean diet, a positive effects on body composition, hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance and oxidative stress were observed. Thus, they associated a protective effect of the MD against NAFLD progression in adolescents. Furthermore, a cohort of patients with NAFLD found similar results in those with high adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Patients who adhered to the Mediterranean diet pattern had lower levels of liver fibrosis markers such as platelet activation or liver collagen deposition. Thus, it can be concluded that the MD might be associated with less severe NAFLD, so this pattern should be recommended in these patients.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
