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What is the best diet for cardiovascular wellness? A comparison of different nutritional models.
Migliaccio, S, Brasacchio, C, Pivari, F, Salzano, C, Barrea, L, Muscogiuri, G, Savastano, S, Colao, A
International journal of obesity supplements. 2020;10(1):50-61
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in developed countries. There are many studies linking unhealthy nutrition and lifestyles to CVD, so there is a need to modify these factors. Different types of diet exist, or have been established, to optimise the approach such as the Mediterranean diet (MeDi), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet (DASH), vegetarian diet, ketogenic diet, and Japanese diet. This review looks at the aspects of the diets. It evaluates the factors that increase CVD risk and the potential application and benefits of nutritional protocols. The diets are discussed along with factors such as energy excess, saturated fat intake, free sugars and refined starches intake, dietary fibre intake, fruit and vegetable intake, Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA): omega-3, Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), anthocyanins, vitamins and sedentary behaviour. The authors conclude that the MeDi has the best nutritional pattern. It includes whole grains, pulses, fiber and PUFAs without completely excluding food of animal origin such as meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, and limits alcohol consumption. The MeDi also includes conviviality and physical activity.
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent to date the leading cause of mortality in both genders in the developed countries. In this context, a strong need for CVD prevention is emerging through lifestyle modification and nutrition. In fact, several studies linked CVD with unhealthy nutrition, alcohol consumption, stress, and smoking, together with a low level of physical activity. Thus, the primary aim is to prevent and reduce CVD risk factors, such as impaired lipid and glycemic profiles, high blood pressure and obesity. Different types of diet have been, therefore, established to optimize the approach regarding this issue such as the Mediterranean diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet (DASH), vegetarian diet, ketogenic diet, and Japanese diet. Depending on the diet type, recommendations generally emphasize subjects to increase vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and pulses consumption, but discourage or recommend eliminating red meat, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages, along with processed foods that are high in sugar, salt, fat, or low in dietary fiber. In particular, we evaluated and compared the peculiar aspects of these well-known dietary patterns and, thus, this review evaluates the critical factors that increase CVD risk and the potential application and benefits of nutritional protocols to ameliorate dietary and lifestyle patterns for CVD prevention.
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A Pecan-Rich Diet Improves Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
McKay, DL, Eliasziw, M, Chen, CYO, Blumberg, JB
Nutrients. 2018;10(3)
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There has been a global rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (TD2M) and dietary risk factors are a known contributor. While evidence has shown that an increased intake of tree nuts is associated with a reduced risk of disease indicators, there is limited research specifically on the effects of pecans. The aim of this randomised crossover trial was to assess the impact of pecan consumption on biomarkers related to CVD and T2DM risk in 26 overweight or obese women. Participants consumed a pecan-rich diet with an iso-caloric control diet of similar fat and fibre content, but absent in nuts, for four weeks with a two-week washout period. This trial demonstrated that displacing a portion of saturated fat in the typical American diet with pecans has a protective effect for CVD and TD2M. Based on these results, the authors recommend using dietary change as a first-line approach to disease prevention and management and suggest further studies be done to better understand potential benefits and associated mechanisms.
Abstract
Evidence from observational and intervention studies has shown a high intake of tree nuts is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), mortality from type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and all-cause mortality. However, there is limited data regarding their effects on indicators of cardiometabolic risk other than hypercholesterolemia, and little is known about the demonstrable health benefits of pecans (Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) K.Koch). We conducted a randomized, controlled feeding trial to compare the effects of a pecan-rich diet with an isocaloric control diet similar in total fat and fiber content, but absent nuts, on biomarkers related to CVD and T2DM risk in healthy middle-aged and older adults who are overweight or obese with central adiposity. After 4 weeks on a pecan-rich diet, changes in serum insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA-β) were significantly greater than after the control diet (p < 0.05). Pecan consumption also lowered the risk of cardiometabolic disease as indicated by a composite score reflecting changes in clinically relevant markers. Thus, compared to the control diet, the pecan intervention had a concurrent and clinically significant effect on several relevant markers of cardiometabolic risk.
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Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation and anxiety in medical students: a randomized controlled trial.
Kiecolt-Glaser, JK, Belury, MA, Andridge, R, Malarkey, WB, Glaser, R
Brain, behavior, and immunity. 2011;25(8):1725-34
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Dietary intake of both omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) influence inflammation, and observational studies have linked lower omega-3 PUFAs with inflammation and depression. The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on inflammatory cytokine production and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Sixty-eight medical students aged 21 to 29 were enrolled in the study and were randomised to either receive omega-3 PUFA pills or placebo pills that approximated the average fat intake consumed by adults. This study found that students who received omega-3 PUFAs showed a decrease both in inflammatory cytokine production and anxiety symptoms compared with controls. This study provides the first evidence that omega-3 PUFAs may be beneficial for individuals with anxiety.
Abstract
Observational studies have linked lower omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and higher omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs with inflammation and depression, but randomized controlled trial (RCT) data have been mixed. To determine whether n-3 decreases proinflammatory cytokine production and depressive and anxiety symptoms in healthy young adults, this parallel group, placebo-controlled, double-blind 12-week RCT compared n-3 supplementation with placebo. The participants, 68 medical students, provided serial blood samples during lower-stress periods as well as on days before an exam. The students received either n-3 (2.5 g/d, 2085 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 348 mg docosahexanoic acid) or placebo capsules that mirrored the proportions of fatty acids in the typical American diet. Compared to controls, those students who received n-3 showed a 14% decrease in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated interleukin 6 (IL-6) production and a 20% reduction in anxiety symptoms, without significant change in depressive symptoms. Individuals differ in absorption and metabolism of n-3 PUFA supplements, as well as in adherence; accordingly, planned secondary analyses that used the plasma n-6:n-3 ratio in place of treatment group showed that decreasing n-6:n-3 ratios led to lower anxiety and reductions in stimulated IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production, as well as marginal differences in serum TNF-α. These data suggest that n-3 supplementation can reduce inflammation and anxiety even among healthy young adults. The reduction in anxiety symptoms associated with n-3 supplementation provides the first evidence that n-3 may have potential anxiolytic benefits for individuals without an anxiety disorder diagnosis. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00519779.
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Lack of effect of foods enriched with plant- or marine-derived n-3 fatty acids on human immune function.
Kew, S, Banerjee, T, Minihane, AM, Finnegan, YE, Muggli, R, Albers, R, Williams, CM, Calder, PC
The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2003;77(5):1287-95
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There is continued interest in the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the human immune system. While many studies have investigated the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on human immune function, few have investigated the immunologic effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The aim of this trial was to determine the effects of enriching the diet with ALA or EPA+DHA on immune outcomes by randomly assigning 150 healthy participants to 1 of 5 intervention groups: placebo, high or low ALA and high or low EPA+DHA for six months. This study showed that an increased intake of ALA or EPA+DHA did not alter the function of immune cells, however did change the fatty acid composition of lymphocytes and monocytes. Based on these findings, the authors conclude that consumption of PUFAs could be increased without adverse effects on the immune response.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Greatly increasing dietary flaxseed oil [rich in the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)] or fish oil [rich in the long-chain n-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids] can reduce markers of immune cell function. The effects of more modest doses are unclear, and it is not known whether ALA has the same effects as its long-chain derivatives.
OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the effects of enriching the diet with ALA or EPA+DHA on immune outcomes representing key functions of human neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes.
DESIGN In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel study, 150 healthy men and women aged 25-72 y were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 interventions: placebo (no additional n-3 PUFAs), 4.5 or 9.5 g ALA/d, and 0.77 or 1.7 g EPA+DHA/d for 6 mo. The n-3 PUFAs were provided in 25 g fat spread plus 3 oil capsules. Blood samples were taken at 0, 3, and 6 mo.
RESULTS The fatty acid composition of peripheral blood mononuclear cell phospholipids was significantly different in the groups with higher intakes of ALA or EPA+DHA. The interventions did not alter the percentages of neutrophils or monocytes engaged in phagocytosis of Escherichia coli or in phagocytic activity, the percentages of neutrophils or monocytes undergoing oxidative burst in response to E. coli or phorbol ester, the proliferation of lymphocytes in response to a T cell mitogen, the production of numerous cytokines by monocytes and lymphocytes, or the in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity response.
CONCLUSION An intake of