New Advances in Metabolic Syndrome, from Prevention to Treatment: The Role of Diet and Food

Abstract

The definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has undergone several changes over the years due to the difficulty in establishing universal criteria for it. Underlying the disorders related to MetS is almost invariably a pro-inflammatory state related to altered glucose metabolism, which could lead to elevated cardiovascular risk. Indeed, the complications closely related to MetS are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). It has been observed that the predisposition to metabolic syndrome is modulated by complex interactions between human microbiota, genetic factors, and diet. This review provides a summary of the last decade of literature related to three principal aspects of MetS: (i) the syndrome’s definition and classification, pathophysiology, and treatment approaches; (ii) prediction and diagnosis underlying the biomarkers identified by means of advanced methodologies (NMR, LC/GC-MS, and LC, LC-MS); and (iii) the role of foods and food components in prevention and/or treatment of MetS, demonstrating a possible role of specific foods intake in the development of MetS.

Associations between Dietary Patterns, Anthropometric and Cardiometabolic Indices and the Number of MetS Components in Polish Adults with Metabolic Disorders

“…Central obesity, which also indicates visceral adiposity, leads to low-grade chronic systemic inflammation and is associated with an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes and their cardiovascular complications [ 2 , 3 ]. In addition, central obesity measured by waist circumference is strongly correlated with insulin resistance (IR) [ 4 ].…”

“…Although the IR is the main mechanism of MetS, it is not directly included in the diagnostic criteria, since the repeated measurement of insulin concentration (necessary for this purpose) is difficult to perform in routine clinical practice. Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed if at least three of the above criteria are present out of five criteria [ 3 , 5 , 6 ].…”

Carbonylated Proteins as Key Regulators in the Progression of Metabolic Syndrome

“…The etiology of the metabolic syndrome is complex and influenced by the interplay of both genetic background and environmental factors, such as smoking, a high-calorie diet, and physical inactivity [ 4 , 5 ]. Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases [ 6 , 7 ]. It is also a key risk factor for obesity-related cancers, regardless of the obesity status [ 8 ].…”

Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and the Risk of Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

“…Collectively, metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a conglomeration of metabolic disorders distinguished by the pathophysiological manifestation of central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia [11,12]. As the global population ages, MetS has emerged as a prevalent health concern in both developed and developing nations, affecting approximately 10-30 % of adult populations [13].…”