Adherence to Mediterranean diet and risk of developing diabetes: prospective cohort study

NAFLD, Insulin Resistance, and Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition defined by fat accumulation in hepatocytes not promoted by excessive alcohol consumption. It is highly prevalent and is strongly associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes type II. Insulin resistance plays a crucial role in the multifactorial etiopathogenesis of this condition leading to accumulation of free fatty acids in the liver cells, thus causing lipotoxicity, inflammation, and fibrosis. In this review, we will focus on currently known pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Numerous investigation strategies are available to establish the diagnosis, from biochemical markers and ultrasound to various molecular and advanced imaging techniques and liver biopsy. Prevention is crucial. However, effective and promising therapies are strongly demanded.

Gut microbiota and Ma-Pi 2 macrobiotic diet in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

In the past 10 years the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increased hugely worldwide, driven by a rise in the numbers of overweight and obese individuals. A number of diets have been shown to be effective for the management of T2DM: the Mediterranean diet, the vegetarian diet and the low-calorie diet. Results of studies clearly indicate, however, that the efficacy of these diets is not solely related to the biochemical structure of the individual nutrients they contain. This review discusses this point with reference to the potential role of the intestinal microbiota in diabetes. The macrobiotic Ma-Pi 2 diet is rich in carbohydrates, whole grains and vegetables, with no animal fat or protein or added sugar. In short- and medium-term trials conducted in patients with T2DM, the Ma-Pi 2 diet has been found to significantly improve indicators of metabolic control, including fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, the serum lipid profile, body mass index, body weight and blood pressure. The diet may also alter the gut microbiota composition, which could additionally affect glycemic control. As a result, the Ma-Pi 2 diet could be considered a valid additional short- to medium-term treatment for T2DM.