Editorial: Analyzing the Relationship Between Dietary Patterns, Health Outcomes, and Individual Food Choices

none2openVisioli, Francesco; Sofi, FrancescoVisioli, Francesco; Sofi, Francesc

Dietary advice to cardiovascular patients. A brief update for physicians.

It is important, in our opinion, to provide physicians with a brief update of scientifically-sound evidence in preventive nutrition, to be employed in their everyday practice, since the latest scientific and clinical advances in this area are generally not well known. Here, we review the most recent evidence in support of an optimal cardio-protective diet, and we identify the need to focus mainly on protective food which should be part of such diet, rather than on nutrients with negative effects to be limited (salt, saturated fats, simple sugars). We conclude that, to favor patient compliance, it is also necessary to underscore indications on the topics for which there is convincing and coherent literature, leaving other less-explored aspects to individual preferences

Is Site-Specific Pasta a Prospective Asset for a Short Supply Chain?

In the 2011\u20132012 season, variable-rate nitrogen (N) fertilization was applied two times during durum wheat vegetative growth in three field areas which diered in soil fertility in northern Italy. The quality traits of the mono-varietal pasta obtained from each management zone were assessed in view of site-specific pasta production for a short supply chain. To this purpose, semolina from cv. Biensur obtained from management zones with dierent fertility treated with N at variable rate was tested in comparison with a commercial reference (cv. Aureo) to produce short-cut pasta. Biensur semolina demonstrated to have technological characteristics positively correlated with the low-fertility zones treated with high N doses (200 and 200+15 kg/ha) and, to a lesser extent, with the high-soil-fertility zones (130 and 130 + 15 kg/ha of N). The lower quality parameters were obtained for pasta produced with wheat from medium-fertility zones, independently of the N dose applied. The derived pasta obtained from the low-fertility zones treated with high N doses had cooking and sensory properties comparable to those of pasta obtained using the reference cv. Aureo. These results are explained by the higher amounts of gluten proteins and by a higher glutenin/gliadin ratio in semolina, which are indicators of technological quality. Overall, the results indicate that segregation of the grain at harvest led to the production of semolina with higher protein content and, hence, to a higher pasta quality. Therefore, site-specific pasta could be a potential asset for a short supply chain, aiming to improve traceability and environmental and economic sustainabilit

Olive-oil Phenolics and Health: Potential Biological Properties

Extra virgin olive oil, the primary source of oil in the Mediterranean diet, differs significantly in composition from dietary lipids that are consumed by other populations. The several minor constituents of virgin olive oil include vitamins such as alpha-and gamma-tocopherols (around 200 ppm) and beta-carotene, phytosterols, pigments, terpenic acids, flavonoids, squalene, and a number of phenolic compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol, usually grouped under the rubric "polyphenols". The antioxidant and enzyme-modulating activities of extra virgin olive oil phenolics, such as their ability to inhibit NF-kB activation in human monocyte/macrophages has been demonstrated in vitro. There is also solid evidence that extra virgin olive oil phenolic compounds are absorbed and their human metabolism has been elucidated. Several activities that might be associated with cardiovascular protection, such as inhibition of platelet aggregation and reduction of plasma rHcy have been demonstrated in vivo. The biologically relevant properties of olive phenolics are described, although further investigations in controlled clinical trials are needed to support the hypothesis that virgin olive oil consumption may contribute to lower cardiovascular mortality

Olive oil and oxidative stress

In addition to the fatty acid profile of olive oil, which is high in the monounsaturated oleic acid and appears to be beneficial in reducing several risk factors for coronary heart disease and certain cancers, extra virgin olive oil contains a considerable amount of phenolic compounds, e.g. hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, that are responsible for its peculiar taste and for its high stability. A body of evidence demonstrates that olive oil phenolics are powerful antioxidants. Although most of these studies have been carried out in vitro, some in vivo experiments confirm that olive oil phenolics are dose-dependently absorbed and that they retain their biological activities after ingestion. These data could in part explain the lower incidence of coronary heart disease in the Mediterranean area, where (extra virgin) olive oil is the principal source of fat.La composición del aceite de oliva virgen extra se caracteriza por su contenido en ácidos grasos, fundamentalmente monoinsaturados (ácido oleico) beneficiosos para reducir el riesgo de enfermedad coronaria, y en componentes menores, particularmente polifenoles (p.e. hidroxitirosol y oleuropeína) responsables de su sabor y estabilidad. Diversos estudios demuestran el poder antioxidante de los compuestos fenólicos del aceite de oliva (virgen extra). Aunque la mayoría de ellos se han realizado in vitro, algunos in vivo parecen confirmar que los polifenoles se absorben dependiendo de la dosis y que retienen las actividades biológicas después de su ingestión. Estos resultados pueden explicar en parte la menor incidencia de enfermedad coronaria en los países del área Mediterránea, donde el aceite de oliva (extra virgen) es la principal fuente de grasas

prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis the use of nutraceuticals and functional foods

Nutritional interventions are effective and – in theory – easy to implement primary and secondary prevention strategies that reduce several risk factors of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Yet, because of (a) the severe impact of CVD in terms of mortality, morbidity, quality of life, and economy, (b) the proved role of LDL plasma concentrations as the most critical risk factor, and (c) the obstacles found both in terms of biological effects and compliance of the patient by an exclusively dietary intervention, food supplements or nutraceuticals are now valuable resources for physicians. As regards cholesterol control, several preparations are available in the market, and we will critically review them in this chapter

Molecular Targets of Omega 3 and Conjugated Linoleic Fatty Acids – “Micromanaging” Cellular Response

Essential fatty acids cannot be synthesized de novo by mammals and need to be ingested either with the diet or through the use of supplements/functional foods to ameliorate cardiovascular prognosis. This review focus on the molecular targets of omega 3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid, as paradigmatic molecules that can be exploited both as nutrients and as pharmacological agents, especially as related to cardioprotection. In addition, we indicate novel molecular targets, namely microRNAs that might contribute to the observed biological activities of such essential fatty acids