Search results for "Mediterranean"
showing 10 items of 3196 documents
Values of broad band turbidity coefficients in a mediterranean coastal site
1999
Abstract The Angstrom turbidity coefficient, the Linke turbidity factor, and the Unsworth–Monteith coefficient have been determined and analysed based on measurements of normal direct irradiance and global horizontal irradiance taken in Valencia, Spain, between January 1990 and December 1996. The data, which were acquired automatically and continuously, have been filtered to select only those values corresponding to clear sky conditions. To determine the Angstrom turbidity coefficient the method proposed by Louche et al. has been used whilst the expression for δCDA proposed by Kasten was used to obtain the Linke turbidity coefficient. The Angstrom turbidity coefficient showed a minimum in w…
Nutraceutical properties of extra-virgin olive oil: a natural remedy for age-related disease?
2013
The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet can be largely ascribed to the nutraceutical properties of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). Mono-unsaturated fatty acids and various phenolic compounds, such as oleocanthal, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and tyrosol, are the main nutraceutical substances of EVOO. These substances have been suggested to have the ability to modulate aging-associated processes. In experimental models, it has been shown that EVOO with high concentrations of polyphenols has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Indeed, it was observed that hydroxytyrosol and oleocanthal inhibit the cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and -2) responsible for prostaglandin production; oleurope…
Mediterranean Diet and Cardiovascular Health: Teachings of the PREDIMED Study123
2014
The PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) study was designed to assess the long-term effects of the Mediterranean diet (MeDiet) without any energy restriction on incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a multicenter, randomized, primary prevention trial in individuals at high risk. Participants were randomly assigned to 3 diet groups: 1) MeDiet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO); 2) MeDiet supplemented with nuts; and 3) control diet (advice on a low-fat diet). After 4.8 y, 288 major CVD events occurred in 7447 participants; crude hazard ratios were 0.70 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.91) for the MeDiet + EVOO and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.94) for the MeDiet + nuts compared with the contr…
Urea Cycle Metabolites and Atrial Fibrillation or Heart Failure Risk: Two Case-Control Studies in the PREDIMED Trial
2021
OBJECTIVES: To prospectively analyze the associations between urea cycle metabolites and incident atrial fibrillation (AF) or heart failure (HF), and to evaluate the effect of a Mediterranean diet (MD) intervention on such associations. METHODS: We designed two nested case-control studies within the PREDIMED trial, a randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of two MD interventions, supplemented with either extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) or nuts, on cardiovascular disease (CVD). Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and urea cycle metabolites (arginine, citrulline, and ornithine) and methylarginines (asymmetric dimethylarginine/symmetric dimethylarginine ratio (ADMA…
Healthy ageing and Mediterranean diet: A focus on hormetic phytochemicals
2021
Abstract Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is rich in fruits and vegetables associated with longevity and a reduced risk of several age-related diseases. It is demonstrated that phytochemicals in these plant products enhance the positive effects of MedDiet by acting on the inflammatory state and reducing oxidative stress. Evidence support that these natural compounds act as hormetins, triggering one or more adaptive stress-response pathways at low doses. Activated stress-response pathways increase the expression of cytoprotective proteins and multiple genes that act as lifespan regulators, essential for the ageing process. In these ways, the hormetic response by phytochemicals such as resveratro…
Mediterranean diet and healthy ageing: a Sicilian perspective.
2014
Traditional Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is a common dietary pattern characterizing a lifestyle and culture proven to contribute to better health and quality of life in Mediterranean countries. By analyzing the diet of centenarians from the Sicani Mountains and eating habits of inhabitants of Palermo, it is reported that a close adherence to MedDiet is observed in the countryside, whereas in big towns this adherence is not so close. This has an effect on the rates of mortality at old age (and reciprocally longevity) that are lower in the countryside than in big towns. Concerning the health effects of the diet, the low content of animal protein and the low glycaemic index of the Sicilian Med…
Anti-aging: Myth or reality
2019
Aging of the world populations embodies a remarkable success of humankind and a source of challenge. Aging is a complex, continuous, multifactorial process that is accompanied by a progressive loss of physical and mental functions and the onset of various age-related diseases, which are not caused by aging per se. Currently, an increasing number of people are asking to arrive at advanced age in good health overcoming the modifications elicited by aging (the dream of remaining young forever). In the past decades there have been remarkable advances in the understanding of the aging process from results of biogerontological research in experimental models, that is, life extension through genet…
Mediterranean diet and longevity
2019
The world average life expectancy has increased remarkably in the past century and continues to increase relentlessly. A long life is desirable but best if lived in good physical and mental health. Among the various dietary patterns, a large body of research data suggest that the traditional dietary habits and lifestyle unique to the Mediterranean region are associated with lower incidence of chronic diseases and improve longevity. Starting with the first data from the Seven Countries Study, numerous observational, prospective, and trial-based investigations in different populations have thereafter supported the benefits of adhering to the Mediterranean dietary pattern regarding reduced mor…
Anthropometric Variables as Mediators of the Association of Changes in Diet and Physical Activity With Inflammatory Profile
2020
AbstractBackgroundMechanisms underlying the associations of high levels of physical activity (PA) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) with a better inflammatory profile remain unclear. Our objective was to assess the mediating role of changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), as markers of body fat in the association of changes in PA and adherence to the MedDiet, with changes in the inflammatory profile.MethodThis study included 489 adults, aged 55–75 years, from the PREDIMED-Plus multicenter lifestyle intervention trial. An inflammatory score was calculated, based on 8 blood biomarkers: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, in…
Determinants of Italian agri-food exports in non-EU Mediterranean Partner Countries: An empirical investigation through a gravity model approach
2013
The aim of this paper is to lay emphasis on the main factors (economic, historical, structural, etc.) that affect Italian agri-food exports in the non-EU Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPCs). The authors estimate a gravity equation including some of the main variables found in the reference literature useful to highlight the main factors which influence the bilateral exchanges. The results show that the variables traditionally included in the gravity equation present the expected sign. In particular, Italian agri-food exports towards its neighbouring Mediterranean countries are positively affected by income of partner countries, colonial and historical ties, geographical proximity and the…