ONE QUALITY concept: a narrative perspective to unravel nutritional challenges, controversies, and the imperative need of transforming our food systems

Ensuring a healthy and sustainable diet for all should be a global priority, and to achieve this goal the food system requires substantial changes. Adopting a one-size-fits-all approach is not feasible, and we need to consider the cultural particularities of each geography and not try to export models that work in one place but may be unsustainable in others. Our discussion will center on two key aspects within this overarching process: (a) the combination of a rigorous evidence-based approach with existing or proposed Nutritional Guidelines and policies required to realize the "ONE HEALTH" and "ONE QUALITY" concepts. Examining the Mediterranean diet and the latest findings on saturated fats will aid us in comprehending the necessary paradigm shift required to formulate new guidelines with substantial impact in preventing the rising prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases worldwide; (b) the adequacy and scope of the data bank necessary to develop a global, science-based approach.

Dietary supplements in retinal diseases, glaucoma, and other ocular conditions

Environmental pollution, inadequate eating habits and unhealthy lifestyles have led to a tremendous increase in ocular diseases worldwide. Given the costly treatments that are currently available for the most common and threatening eye diseases (such as cataract, dry eye disorder, or diabetic retinopathy), curing these diseases or preventing refractive errors by taking nutraceuticals and natural compounds that are present in our daily diet is a very valuable intervention. The eyes are the most important part of our visual system and require micronutrients such as vitamins, carotenoids, trace metals, and omega-3 fatty acids in order to function properly and to protect themselves against light-induced and age-mediated degenerative disorders. The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) has been in the limelight since the 1980s because of the several health benefits it provides, including eye health. MedDiet is characterized by the consumption of small amounts of red meat, while emphasizing the intake of fish, eggs, nuts, legumes, citrus fruits, green vegetables, olives and their derivatives, especially olive oil, and dairy products in a proportionate manner, in order to achieve the maximum health benefits. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties of these foods - both when used as an ingredient in the dietary regime or as a source of nutritional supplements - have shown promising results in the management of chronic degenerative ocular diseases, both in animal models and in human subjects. In this chapter, we will focus on the importance of MedDiet and natural compounds for the visual system and its role in slowing down age-related ocular degeneration.

Physical activity for health

Physical activity plays a substantial role in maintaining people's good health and mental wellbeing, but that is not all: not only it positively affects the individuals' mental and physical health, but a lack of physical exercise exerts a negative impact also on the overall economy of a nation. In addition, physical inactivity not only increases the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCD), but also contributes significantly to the increased morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from these diseases. On the contrary, physical activity reduces the risk of NCDs - such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer - in a dose-dependent manner; regular exercise is also associated with many health benefits and delayed mortality. However, understanding the role of physical activity in modern society and creating an awareness in the general population is one of the most important tasks of health and recreation promoters. Correspondingly, there is a dire need to enhance our knowledge, perception, and awareness of physical activity and its impacts on an individual's health, ultimately contributing to developing a healthy society. The current review will focus on the health benefits of the two most widely studied modifiable lifestyle risk factors, physical activity and diet, focusing particularly on the Mediterranean diet.