Anticancer Effects of Nutraceuticals in the Mediterranean Diet: An Epigenetic Diet Model

Abstract

Epidemiological and clinical studies support the association between nutrition and development or progression of different malignancies such as colon, breast, and prostate cancer, defining these tumors as diet-associated cancer. The Mediterranean diet shows inverse associations with metabolic diseases, cardiovascular pathologies and various types of cancer. Many bioactive nutrients of the Mediterranean diet have been identified as factors protective against these types of pathologies. The epigenome has been identified as the primary goal of modulations in gene expression related to these molecular nutrients. In fact, they can modify the epigenome and can be incorporated into the 'epigenetic diet', which translates into a diet regimen that can be used therapeutically for health or preventative purposes. Most epigenetic changes are influenced by lifestyle and nutrition. Epigenetic therapy is a new area for the development of nutraceuticals whose absence of toxicity can represent a valid asset in cancer prevention strategies. Recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics and nutraceuticals have led to the identification of superfoods capable of favorably conditioning gene expression. In this review, we highlight the importance of nutraceuticals present in the Mediterranean diet as epigenetic modifiers both in the mechanisms of tumor onset and as protective agents.

Nutrition as a Key Modifiable Factor for Periodontitis and Main Chronic Diseases

“…In a multicenter case-control study, high adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with an almost 35% reduction in risk of bladder cancer compared with low adherence [ 122 ]. It is thought that the components of the diet reduce the cancer risk by reducing tumor cell growth through anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects (vegetables, fruit, and olive oil), increasing chemoprotective effects (olive oil), and inhibiting tumor development (dairy products) [ 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 ];…”

MicroRNAs: The Link between the Metabolic Syndrome and Oncogenesis

“…A variety of dietary compounds and supplements found in cruciferous vegetables, green tea, soya, turmeric, red grapes, blueberries, and spices like curry and black pepper proved beneficial in cancer prevention by modulation of microRNAs [334]. They are able to modify the epigenome and can be incorporated into the 'epigenetic diet' to protect against cancer and the aging process.…”

Mediterranean-Type Dietary Pattern and Physical Activity: The Winning Combination to Counteract the Rising Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

“…Notably, several components of the MeD contain bioactive compounds of particular interest in the field of epigenetics, especially for their anti-tumor activity, [ 190 ]. The polyphenolic compound resveratrol, found in grapes, some berries and peanut oil seeds, is able to modulate the DNA methylation status of several genes involved in cancer, hypomethylating and hypermethylating key tumor-suppressors and tumor-promoters, respectively [ 191 , 192 ].…”