Associations between the Healthy Eating Index-2015 and S-Klotho plasma levels: A cross-sectional analysis in middle-to-older aged adults

Abstract

Background and aimThe Healthy Eating Index (HEI) is a dietary index developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to determine whether a diet adheres to US dietary guidelines. Soluble Klotho (S-Klotho) is a protein with essential anti-aging properties. However, whether HEI is linked to S-Klotho plasma levels is still debatable. This study aimed to assess the association between HEI-2015 and S-Klotho in middle-to-older aged adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2016.MethodsThe study included 8456 middle-to-older aged (40–79 years old) participants. Multivariate regression models were used to estimate the correlation between HEI-2015 and S-Klotho concentrations. General additive models and two-piece-wise regression models were used to investigate the possible non-linear relationships between HEI-2015 and S-Klotho concentrations. Moreover, a stratified analysis of potential influencing factors was performed.ResultsA positive correlation was observed between HEI-2015 and S-Klotho plasma levels (β = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.21, 1.27, P = 0.0067). According to the two-piece-wise regression, the turning point of HEI-2015 was 45.15. When the range of HEI-2015 was from 0 to 45.15, the relationship between HEI and S-Klotho was insignificant (β = −0.87, 95% CI: −2.47, 0.73, P = 0.2858). However, when the range of HEI-2015 was from 45.15 to 100, HEI-2015 increased by 1 unit, the S-Klotho increased by 1.30 pg/ml (β = 1.30, 95% CI: 0.55, 2.05, P = 0.0007), suggesting a dose-response relationship. Furthermore, the stratified analysis showed that the association between HEI-2015 and S-Klotho concentrations was more significant in people with normal body mass index (P-interaction = 0.0161).ConclusionThere is a dose-response relationship between the HEI-2015 and S-Klotho in the middle-to-older aged adults. This relationship suggests that adherence to healthy dietary patterns may benefit the prevention of aging and health maintenance. The underlying mechanisms require further investigation.

Better Life’s Essential 8 contributes to slowing the biological aging process: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES 2007–2010 data

“…Abigail et al ( 44 ) emphasized a dose-dependent relationship between diet quality and both longevity and successful aging. Ma ( 45 ) revealed a positive correlation between HEI-2015 and the plasma levels of the anti-aging protein S-Klotho, suggesting a potential link between healthy eating and anti-aging attributes. Research by Fan et al ( 46 ) established a negative correlation between higher HEI-2015 scores and a reduced likelihood of physical frailty in American older individuals.…”

Serum Anti-Aging Protein α-Klotho Mediates the Association between Diet Quality and Kidney Function

“…The present study revealed a novel mediating effect of serum α-Klotho on the relationship between a healthy dietary pattern and improved kidney function. A previous study has demonstrated a positive association between HEI-2015 score and serum α-Klotho among 8456 participants aged 40–79 years from the NHANES study [ 17 ]. A high-quality diet is related to lower serum levels of various inflammatory factors such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TGF-β, which down-regulate the expression of α-Klotho [ 31 , 32 ].…”

“…Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between serum α-Klotho levels and eGFR among adults aged 40–79 years, as well as an inverse association between serum α-Klotho levels and the prevalence of CKD [ 16 ]. Moreover, a positive association has been established between the serum α-Klotho level and adherence to a healthy diet, as indicated by HEI-2015 scores [ 17 ]. Nevertheless, the role of serum α-Klotho in the relationship between diet quality and kidney function has not been fully elucidated.…”

The Longevity Protein Klotho: A Promising Tool to Monitor Lifestyle Improvements

“…A low-calorie, high-protein diet increases klotho levels in a rat's brain, while a phosphate-restricted diet improves klotho kidney expression in a mouse model of polycystic kidney disease [45]. In a cross-sectional cohort analysis of 8456 participants (NHANES), klotho plasma levels were compared to the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI) in middleto-older aged (40-79 years old) adults [46]. This index evaluates subjects' compliance with US dietary recommendations by assessing the composition and content of daily food intake [47].…”