Association between a Mediterranean lifestyle and growth differentiation factor 15: The seniors ENRICA-2 cohort

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) is a marker of inflammation and oxidative stress that has been associated with multiple age-related chronic diseases. Since lifestyle is key for preventing these adverse health outcomes, we examined the association between a Mediterranean lifestyle and GDF-15 serum concentrations in Spanish older adults.

We used cross-sectional data from 2502 older adults participating in the Seniors ENRICA-2 cohort. Adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle was assessed with the 27-item MEDLIFE index, divided into three blocks: 1) "Mediterranean food consumption, 2) Mediterranean dietary habits, 3) Physical activity, rest, social habits, and conviviality". Analyses of the association between the MEFLIFE index and GDF-15 concentrations were performed using multivariable linear regression models adjusting for the main potential confounders.

The MEDLIFE index was inversely associated with GDF-15. Compared with participants in the lowest quartile of the MEDLIFE score, GDF-15 mean percentage differences (95% CI) were -3.0% (-8.0, 2.3) for the second quartile, -8.7% (-13.0, -4.1) for the third quartile, and -10.1% (-15.0, -4.9) for the fourth quartile (p-trend<0.001). Block 3 of MEDLIFE, and particularly doing sufficient physical activity, adequate sleep duration, and participating in collective sports, was individually linked to lower concentrations of GDF-15. Results remained similar after excluding participants with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, or obesity.

A Mediterranean lifestyle was associated with reduced levels of GDF-15, suggesting that a combination of multiple lifestyles may be an integral approach to reduce chronic inflammation and disease burden in older adults.