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The benefits of the Mediterranean diet in patients with metabolic syndrome (Master thesis)

Κουτσοθεοδώρου, Ελένη/ Koutsotheodorou, Eleni

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a disorder that affects practically everyone, has been connected to a wide variety of risk factors and has been associated with a wide variety of pathophysiological mechanisms that have been theoretically proposed. On a worldwide scale, it is a key contributor to the spread of disease and high mortality rates. Insulin resistance is a condition that occurs together with oxidative stress, increased blood clotting, and a moderate chronic state of inflammation. The pathways that are widely reported culminate in the formation of insulin resistance. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is a diet originating from countries and populations of the Mediterranean basin, which has been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, legumes, nuts and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), with classic recipes seasoned with sauces rich in phenolic compounds and carotenoids. The MedDiet also includes moderate alcohol intake, low to moderate consumption of fish and poultry, and low consumption of red meat, butter, sweets, pastries and soft drinks. The traditional MedDiet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate dietary pattern that provides 35-55% of total daily energy intake from fat, approximately 15% from protein, and 40-45% energy from carbohydrates. EVOO and nuts are major sources of total fat intake, with oleic acid being the main component. Studies have linked MUFA intake to improvements in insulin resistance, blood lipid profile, and reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. Adherence to the MedDiet has been associated with a 19% lower risk of MetS and improvements in individual criteria for MetS, such as waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, and HDL-c levels. It has also been inversely associated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality, as well as with cancer and degenerative diseases. MedDiet interventions have shown improvements in body composition by reducing total and visceral fat, potentially influencing the metabolic profile. In addition, the MedDiet has helped reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while reducing the severity and associated complications in people who have already been diagnosed.