Diet high in protein-rich foods with structured sport activity may be useless to lose fat mass and maintain fat-free mass
Background The aim of this study was to demonstrate that a normal protein diet along with minimal sports activity can be enough to lose fat mass and maintain muscle mass. Methods All participants were prescribed a hypocaloric nutritionally balanced Mediterranean-style diet tailored to the individual for 8 weeks. Body composition and energy expenditure were measured. Sedentary patients (G1) were only recommended to perform minimal aerobic training, while sport subjects (G2) were prescribed structured physical activity and higher calorie and protein contents in the diet. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups for any of the measured parameters. Conclusions The mo…
Losing weight after menopause with minimal aerobic training and mediterranean diet
Objective: It is a common belief that menopausal women have greater difficulty losing weight. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a Mediterranean diet (MD) to promote weight loss in postmenopausal women. All participants were prescribed a hypocaloric traditional MD, tailored to the individual. Subjects were asked not to begin any kind of physical activity. Body composition was measured at the beginning and after 8 weeks of treatment. In total, 89 women (age 52.8 ±
Effects of quality and quantity of protein intake for type 2 Diabetes Mellitus prevention and metabolic control
Purpose of Review: The aim of this review is to evaluate the ideal protein quality and quantity and the dietary composition for the prevention and metabolic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Introduction: Although some reviews demonstrate the advantages of a diet with a higher protein intake, other reviews have observed that a diet high in carbohydrates, with low-glycaemic index carbohydrates and good fibre intake, is equally effective in improving insulin sensitivity. Methods: Over 2831 articles were screened, and 24 from the last 5 years were analysed and summarised for this review, using the protein, diabetes and insulin glucose metabolic keywords in Pubmed in June 2019. Result…
Diet Rich in Plant Protein May Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Purpose : The aim is to show the ideal protein quality and quantity and the dietary composition for the prevention and metabolic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Introduction Although some reviews demonstrate the advantages of a diet with a higher protein intake, other reviews have observed that a diet high in carbohydrates, with low-glycaemic index carbohydrates and good fibre intake, is equally effective in improving insulin sensitivity. Methods Over 2831 articles were screened, and 24 from the last 5 years were analysed and summarised for this review, using the protein, diabetes and insulin glucose metabolic keywords in Pubmed in June 2019. Results Eleven studies demonstrate t…
SGK-1 protects kidney cells against apoptosis induced by ceramide and TNF-α
AbstractCeramide regulates several different cellular responses including mechanisms leading to apoptosis. Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible protein kinase (SGK)-1 is a serine threonine kinase, which activates survival pathways in response to stress stimuli. Recently, we demonstrated an anti-apoptotic role of SGK-1 in human umbilical endothelial cells treated with high glucose. In the present study, since ceramide induces apoptosis by multiple mechanisms in diabetes and its complication such as nephropathy, we aimed to investigate whether SGK-1 may protect even against apoptosis induced by ceramide in kidney cells. Human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells stable transfected with SGK-1 wild …
The different daily distribution of proteins does not influence the variations in body composition in a sample of subjects undergoing a low-calorie mediterranean-type diet
BACKGROUND Controversy exists regarding whether the different daily balances of proteins between meals and snacks in a low-calorie diet may influence the effects on body composition (BC) results. Aim of this study is to evaluate BC changes made by a lifestyle intervention in a randomized homogeneous sample of two groups with equal daily caloric reduction but different protein distributions between meals. METHODS Forty-seven men and women (mean age: 32±10 years; Body Mass Index: 28.4±2.4 kg/m2) consumed an energy-restricted diet (788 kcal/d below the requirement) for eight weeks in a free-living contest. Subjects consumed 90.1 g protein/d (1.10±0.16 g/kg/day) and were randomized in an EVEN (…
High plant-based diet and physical activity in women during menopausal transition
Purpose The menopausal transition (MT) is a period when there may be an increase in visceral fat mass and a worsening of cardiometabolic risk factors. Few studies have evaluated the efficacy of plant-based low-calorie diets on groups of women at different stages of MT. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a high plant-to-animal protein ratio diet in women of similar age but with different fertility statuses. Design/methodology/approach Subjects were divided into three groups according to their fertility status at the baseline: “premenopausal” (n = 11), “perimenopause” (n = 14) and “postmenopause” (n = 18). Body composition (BC) was measured at the beginning and afte…
Influence of Nutritional Status and Physical Exercise on Immune Response in Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic alterations mostly related to visceral adiposity, which in turn promotes glucose intolerance and a chronic systemic inflammatory state, characterized by immune cell infiltration. Such immune system activation increases the risk of severe disease subsequent to viral infections. Strong correlations between elevated body mass index (BMI), type-2-diabetes and increased risk of hospitalization after pandemic influenza H1N1 infection have been described. Similarly, a correlation between elevated blood glucose level and SARS-CoV-2 infection severity and mortality has been described, indicating MetS as an important predictor of clinical outcomes i…
Use of Troponin as a predictor for cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have two- to four-fold increased cardiovascular mortality in comparison to the general population. With the identification of new therapeutic targets and hypoglycemic drugs for T2DM, the need for a better stratification of CVD risk has emerged to select patients who may need intensive or specific treatment. At present, risk stratification is based on clinical, demographic, and biochemical factors. High sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) increases after several ischemic and non-ischemic insults and it is considered a marker of myocardial injury. This review summarizes the main findings about hs-cTn utilization for risk stratification in people w…
If we eat soy, do we keep the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet?
PurposeThis study aims to evaluate if soya consumption can compromise or positively influence the effects of the Mediterranean diet (MD).Design/methodology/approachA full literature review has been conducted as part of a proposal of a new point of view on the consumption of soya and its derivatives in areas where until a few decades ago this type of food did not exist at all.FindingsThere does not seem to be any contraindications for soy systematic use, therefore, excluding historical-geographical reasons, soya could be included in an MD without altering the benefits associated with it.Practical implicationsSoya is not advised as a typical food in the MD, but promoting its use could probabl…