Diet and Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Given the higher burden of risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS) on morbidity and mortality, it is critical to prevent the development of metabolic syndrome in the first place. While dietary habits have been favorably associated with some of the factors included in the definition of metabolic syndrome, limited and inconsistent data have been reported on the role of nutrition in the development of metabolic syndrome. Currently, there is no consensus as to which dietary patterns would confer the lowest risk of MetS. Identification of dietary patterns, food groups, or nutrients that may lower the incidence of metabolic syndrome could improve prevention strategies as well as prognosis among subjects with existing MetS. This manuscript reviews current evidence on dietary patterns, consumption of fat, whole grains, carbohydrate quality and quantity, and moderate alcohol consumption as they relate to metabolic syndrome.

Certain dietary patterns are beneficial for the metabolic syndrome: reviewing the evidence

“…This pattern is characterized by a diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) from olives and olive oil; daily intake of whole grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, and dairy; and weekly intakes of fish, poultry, nuts, and legumes. Several studies have found the MDP to be associated with a lower MetS prevalence [21,22]. Moreover, a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies and RCTs confirmed that adherence to a MDP was associated with reduced risk of MetS compared to control diets [23], as noted through beneficial effects on all individual criteria for the syndrome.…”

“…Fruits and vegetables have been found to lower the risk of MetS and inflammation [21,39], as well as decrease BP [21]. Significant inverse associations between whole grain intake and MetS have been shown, independent of confounders including other dietary factors.…”

“…The low glycemic index (GI) of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may be the mechanism for the observed benefits of the MDP, DASH diet, and ND on MetS characteristics. However, few studies have examined the association between GI or glycemic load (GL) of diet and MetS [21]. As rice and refined wheat products which characterize Asian diets are high GI/GL [41], and the average GI/GL value of diets in the United States of America have increased [42], this is an important area for future research.…”

“…The association between fatty acids and MetS is now recognized [6] and has recently been reviewed [21]. Saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids were found to be adversely associated with MetS components.…”

Utjecaj prehrane bogate cjelovitim žitaricama na metaboličke faktore rizika kod zdravih osoba i osoba s blagim stupnjem metaboličkoga sindroma

“…Pozitivan utjecaj cjelovitih žitarica pripisuje se niskom glikemijskom indeksu i sinergiji nutritivnih komponenti 3,4 .…”