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Dear Colleagues and Friends,
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Mediterranean Diet and Olive oil
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Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome
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It is well-known that the Mediterranean Diet (MD) is one of the most popular approach for the prevention of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases among others high preventable chronic diseases. In fact, the added value of MD is the presence of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Nonetheless, its nutraceutical effects have not been widely elucidated in terms of clinical efficacy and biological effect. Therefore, this review aims to clarify the state of art of EVOO and its preventable use in metabolic syndrome (MS) alongside their future nutraceutical implications. Despite the evidence regarding the effect of EVOO on human health, mainly from updated clinical trials, doubts remain considering EVOO’s action mechanisms, the quantities required to optimize its effects and whether its properties can be separated from those of MD or if the beneficial effects are inextricably linked. For all these reasons, it is necessary larger, well-structured and standardized studies in order to clarify EVOO’s potential as a nutraceutical product beyond the preventive role of MD dietary pattern.
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In addition, more evidence from MD and health comes from another cohort study (ECLIPSES study). More specifically, the role of MD during pregnancy on foetal growth. In order to contextualize the importance of this study, it is necessary to highlight that suboptimal foetal growth has been associated with oncoming long-term risk of metabolic and chronic diseases as well as mortality from CVD later in life. Apart from non-modifiable factors, maternal diet seems to be a potentially modifiable factor that influences on foetal growth. In the abovementioned study, it has been prospectively assessed the relationship between maternal adherence to the MD and anthropometric measures and small-for-gestational-age (SGA). Overall, it was found that pregnant women with a higher adherence to MD had a significantly lower risk of having a SGA infant in terms of weight and HC, and a nonsignificant decrease in risk of SGA in terms of length. With all this in mind, it is notable that promoting a healthy dietary pattern during pregnancy would lead to an effectiveness in preventing SGA at birth alongside with the beneficial effect on maternal health.
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