Mediterranean diet nutrients to turn the tide against insulin resistance and related diseases

Mirabelli et al. (2020) remark that in obesity, the unbalanced production of pro- and anti-inflammatory adipocytokines (inflammatory cytokines) can lead to the development of insulin resistance (IR), which is a fundamental defect in type 2 diabetes (T2D) potentially reversible through weight-loss programs. When considering diet interventions, the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) – consisting of extra-virgin olive oils (EVOO), nuts, red wine, vegetables and other polyphenol-rich elements – has proven its association with greater improvement of IR in obese people. Moreover, numerous nutritional supplements derived from MedDiet food sources are insulin-sensitizing and have shown promise in modulating certain traits of IR-related conditions, including polyunsaturated fatty acids from olive oil and seeds, anthocyanins from purple vegetables and fruits, resveratrol from grapes, and the EVOO-derived, oleacein. The molecular mechanism(s) underlying the metabolic benefits appear to be compound-specific. Mirabelli et al. (2020) state that the pharmacological properties and clinical uses of these functional nutrients are still under investigation. [NPIDs: aging, elderly, cognitive decline, neurodegenerative disorders, dementia, adipocytokines, inflammatory cytokines, insulin resistance, IR, diabetes, Med Diet, Mediterranean Diet, olive oil, EVOO, polyphenols, obesity, resveratrol]

Year: 2020

Reference: Mirabelli, M., Chiefari, E., Arcidiacono, B., Corigliano, D. M., Brunetti, F. S., Maggisano, V., Russo, D., Foti, D. P., & Brunetti, A. (2020). Mediterranean Diet Nutrients to Turn the Tide against Insulin Resistance and Related Diseases. Nutrients, 12(4), 1066. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041066