Key Findings
High blood lipid and blood pressure as well as hyperglycemia and obesity characterize the metabolic syndrome (MetS) which is increasing globally. The Mediterranean diet (MD) includes nuts (which are high in ALA) and virgin olive oil (VOO). This randomized controlled trial found that the consumption of a MD plus nuts group had lower levels of the hypercholesterolemia saturated fatty acids (SFA, myristic, margaric, palmitoleic) and higher amounts of LA and ALA. A number of negative biomarkers of MetS were associated with an increase in SFA. The MD offers a tasty and realistic diet that may be helpful in reducing the incidence of MetS.
ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become an important public concern due to its increasing prevalence. An altered fatty acid composition has been associated with MetS, but the Mediterranean diet has been shown to have a protective effect. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of a Mediterranean dietary pattern, as assessed by the biomarkers of food supplied, on the plasma fatty acid composition and its relation with MetS after 1 year of intervention. Methods: A total of 424 subjects were randomly selected from the PREDIMED randomized dietary trial after completing a 1 year intervention program. Participants aged 55 to 80 years and at high risk of cardiovascular disease were randomly assigned to three dietary interventions: Mediterranean diet supplemented with virgin olive oil or nuts, or a low fat diet. Results: After 1 year of intervention participants in the virgin olive oil group showed significantly increased plasma concentrations of palmitic and oleic acids, but reduced proportions of margaric, stearic, and linoleic acids. In turn, subjects in the nut group showed significantly increased levels of palmitic, linoleic, and alpha linolenic acids, but reduced proportions of myristic, margaric, palmitoleic, and dihommoclinoleic acids. Increases in the biomarkers of foods supplied to the Mediterranean diet groups, i.e., oleic and alpha linolenic acids, were beneficially associated with the incidence, reversion and prevalence of MetS. No weight changes were observed among participants. Conclusions: The nut and olive oil diets induced a fatty acid composition that has been shown to be beneficial in the face of MetS. Therefore, a Mediterranean diet rich in fats of vegetable origin may be a useful tool for the management of MetS without the need for concerns over weight gain due to its high fat content. (Authors abstract)
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