Mediterranean diet and inflammaging within the hormesis paradigm

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Gerontology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Epidemiological data links the Mediterranean diet to prevention of age-related diseases.
• Low-grade chronic inflammation (inflammaging) is a key factor in aging and related diseases.
• The precise mechanisms underlying the Mediterranean diet's protective effects remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a conceptual framework for the Mediterranean diet's health benefits.
• To explore the Mediterranean diet as a form of chronic hormetic stress.
• To highlight the role of specific compounds and molecular pathways in the diet's effects.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological data on the Mediterranean diet and age-related diseases.
• Analysis of compounds in Mediterranean foods with potential hormetic effects.
• Focus on the nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2) pathway and neurohormetic properties.

Main Results:

• The Mediterranean diet can be conceptualized as a hormetic stressor, akin to calorie restriction.
• Key Mediterranean foods contain compounds that may exert hormetic effects.
• The NFE2 pathway is implicated in the diet's anti-aging mechanisms.
• The diet demonstrates neuroprotective and anti-inflammaging properties.

Conclusions:

• The Mediterranean diet's benefits may stem from chronic hormetic stress.
• This dietary pattern helps maintain a balance between pro- and anti-inflammaging processes.
• Individual factors like age, sex, and genetics (studied in NU-AGE project) can influence the diet's hormetic effects.