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Mediterranean Diet Effect: an Italian picture
Elena Azzini1, Angela Polito, Alessandro Fumagalli
1National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy. azzini@inran.it
Nutrition Journal
|November 18, 2011
Summary
Adhering to a Mediterranean diet improves antioxidant status and modulates inflammation in healthy Italians. Higher adherence correlates with better immune markers and reduced oxidative stress, suggesting a protective role for vitamin A.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Diet quality impacts antioxidant status, immune response, and oxidative stress.
- Assessing these effects in a healthy Italian population is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of overall diet quality on antioxidant nutritional status.
- To assess effects on cytokines related to cellular immune response and oxidative stress.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of 131 healthy individuals using dietary diaries and anthropometric measurements.
- Analysis of blood samples for antioxidant status (vitamins A, E, carotenoids, C, uric acid, SH groups, SOD, GPx), lipid profile, total antioxidant capacity (FRAP, TRAP), immune status (TNF-α, IL-10), and malondialdehyde (MDA).
Main Results:
- Higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) correlated with increased plasma carotenoids, vitamins A and E, and endogenous antioxidants.
- Increased adherence (MDS ≥ 6) was linked to higher anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, while lower adherence (MDS ≤ 3) showed higher pro-inflammatory TNF-α.
- Lower MDA levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation, were associated with MDS > 4, and vitamin A showed a protective role against chronic inflammation.
Conclusions:
- The Mediterranean dietary pattern significantly improves cardiovascular risk factors.
- Mediterranean diet adherence reduces oxidative stress and modulates inflammation.
- Vitamin A may offer protection against chronic inflammatory conditions, particularly with high adherence to a Mediterranean diet.
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