|
|
|
|
|
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
|
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is an essential component of the Mediterranean diet (MD) and its biocompounds are known to help manage several pathologies. Adding to the evidence, a recent study evaluated the effect of EVOO on intestinal permeability and postprandial glycaemia in 20 patients with impaired fasting blood glucose levels. To give some context, patients with higher cardiovascular risk also display increased intestinal permeability. This ‘leaky-gut’ syndrome results in detectable levels of lipopolysaccharides in the blood, a form of endotoxin, and the eventual activation of pro-inflammatory responses. In this study, EVOO attenuated serum endotoxin levels and increased blood glucose levels by interfering with intestinal permeability. Supporting these findings is another report of 90 patients with metabolic syndrome in which participants that adhered to the MD pattern also displayed lower inflammatory biomarkers. Contrastingly, participants with lower adherence to the MD had higher levels of interleukins, tumour necrosis factor, triglycerides, glycosylated haemoglobin, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The effects of EVOO in the context of a MD are vast, however, these and other studies attribute their benefits on gut permeability and in term, an anti-inflammatory activity.
|
In addition to the MD, a complete set of healthful lifestyles is critical for overall health. However, recent evidence now suggests a synergistic effect between lifestyle habits reflected on a number of biological markers. A recent crossover randomized controlled study found an association between diet and post-exercise metabolites. In this trial of active, healthy women, researchers found that participants who adhered to the MD during the 7 days prior to the start of the trial had higher levels of endocannabinoid mediators; markers of numerous biological functions such as neurogenesis, inflammation, mood regulation and circadian rhythm. Similar associations with the MD have also been described in relation to sleep quality in a recent review. Insufficient sleep can lead to health damage through a number of mechanisms. For this reason, there is a growing concern over the need to develop effective natural alternatives for better sleep. In this review, evidence supports multiple associations between the main components of MD (fruits, vegetables, unsaturated fats and anti-inflammatory compounds) and better sleep quality. Aside from the innate properties of the MD, research must continue to explore its joint effects with exercise and sleep as well as other components of healthy lifestyles and their interactions for population health.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
