Impact of the Mediterranean diet with and without weight loss on plasma cell adhesion molecule concentrations in men with the metabolic syndrome

The Effect of the Traditional Mediterranean-Style Diet on Metabolic Risk Factors: A Meta-Analysis

The Mediterranean-style diet (MedSD) has gained attention for its positive effects on health outcomes, including metabolic risk factors. However, it is unknown as to which components of MedSD interventions are most beneficial in reducing risk. The objective of this meta-analysis was to obtain effect sizes for metabolic risk factors and explain the variability across the current literature based on study design, sample, and diet characteristics. Six electronic databases were searched from inception until 9 February 2016. Data from 29 studies (N = 4133) were included. There were significant effects in favor of the MedSD for waist circumference, triglycerides, blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure (d+ = -0.54; d+ = -0.46; d+ = -0.50; d+ = -0.72; d+ = -0.94, respectively). The MedSD was significantly beneficial when the intervention was longer in duration, was conducted in Europe, used a behavioral technique, and was conducted using small groups. The traditional MedSD had significant beneficial effects on five of the six metabolic risk factors. Results from this study provide support for population specific dietary guideline for metabolic risk reduction.

Effects of different dietary approaches on inflammatory markers in patients with metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Chronic low-grade inflammation has been associated with insulin resistance, diabetes, atherosclerosis, obesity, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). A proinflammatory environment contributes to several metabolic disturbances and possibly the development of MetS. Dietary approaches have defined impact on immune function and putative antiinflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different dietary approaches on markers of inflammation in patients with MetS. Further effects on weight loss and fasting insulin were analyzed.

METHODS

Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were screened in September 2014 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on different dietary approaches for participants with MetS as defined by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Primary outcomes were markers of the immune system. Secondary outcome was body weight and fasting insulin. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Thirteen randomized controlled trials with a total of 2017 patients were included. Low-fat diets (29 ± 2% energy from fats) decreased C-reactive protein compared with control diets (SMD: -0.98; 95% CI: -1.6 to -0.35; P = 0.002). Low-carbohydrate diets (23 ± 10% energy from carbohydrates; SMD: -0.33; 95% CI: -0.63 to -0.03; P = 0.004) and multimodal interventions (SMD: -1.02; 95% CI: -1.97 to -0.07; P = 0.04) were able to induce significant weight loss. Low-carbohydrate diets were able to decrease insulin (SMD: -0.33; 95% CI: -0.63 to -0.03; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

C-reactive protein; however, this effect is also dependent on weight loss. Furthermore, low-carbohydrate diets have beneficial effects on insulin and body weight. Dietary approaches should mainly be tried to reduce macronutrients and enrich functional food components such as vitamins, flavonoids, and unsaturated fatty acids. People with MetS will benefit most by combining weight loss and anti-inflammatory nutrients.

Effect of the Mediterranean diet on plasma adipokine concentrations in men with metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVE

While a Mediterranean dietary pattern (MedDiet) has been associated with favorable changes in several features of metabolic syndrome (MetS), its impact on plasma adipokine concentrations remains largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the MedDiet consumed under controlled feeding conditions, without (-WL) and with weight loss (+WL), on plasma adipokine concentrations in adult men with MetS (NCEP-ATP III).

MATERIALS/METHODS

The diet of 26 men with MetS (age 24 to 62 yrs) was first standardized to a North American control diet for 5 weeks. Participants then consumed a pre-determined MedDiet for 5 weeks. Both diets were consumed under weight-maintaining isoenergetic feeding conditions. Participants then underwent a 20-week free-living caloric restriction period, after which they consumed the MedDiet again in weight stabilizing, isoenergetic feeding conditions.

RESULTS

Body weight was reduced by 10.2%±2.9% and waist circumference by 8.6±3.3 cm after the weight loss period and stabilization on MedDiet (P<0.001). MedDiet-WL had no impact on plasma concentrations of leptin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, resistin, visfatin, acylation stimulating protein and adiponectin. MedDiet+WL reduced plasma leptin concentrations (P<0.01) and increased plasma adiponectin concentrations (P<0.05) compared with the control diet and MedDiet-WL.

CONCLUSION

Data from this nutritionally controlled study suggest that short-term consumption of MedDiet has little effect on the concentrations of many adipokines in the absence of weight loss.