From French to Mediterranean Diet: Importance of the Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acids Ratio

Author(s):  
Belinda Elisha ◽  
Fitsum Guebre-Egziabher ◽  
Hubert· Vidal ◽  
Jean-Philippe· Bastard ◽  
Martine· Laville ◽  
...  
2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (1a) ◽  
pp. 118-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel de Lorgeril ◽  
Patricia Salen

AbstractObjectivesTo discuss present knowledge about Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular diseases.DesignReview of existing literature.Setting and ResultsEpidemiological studies as well as randomised dietary trials suggest that Mediterranean diet may be important in relation to the pathogenesis (and prevention) of CHD. For instance, a striking protective effect of an ALA-rich Mediterranean diet was reported in the Lyon Diet Heart Study with a 50 to 70% reduction of the risk of recurrence after 4 years of follow-up in CHD patients. According to our current knowledge, dietary ALA should represent about 0.6 to 1% of total daily energy or about 2 g per day in patients following a Mediterranean diet, whereas the average intake in linoleic acid should not exceed 7 g per day. Supplementation with very-long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (about 1 g per day) in patients following a Mediterranean type of diet was shown to decrease the risk of cardiac death by 30% and of sudden cardiac death by 45% in the GISSI trial.ConclusionsIn the context of a diet rich in oleic acid, poor in saturated fats and low in omega-6 fatty acids (a dietary pattern characterising the traditional Mediterranean diet), even small doses of omega-3 fatty acids (about 1 g EPA + DHA the form of fish oil capsules or 2 g α-linolenic acid in canola oil and margarine) might be very protective. These data underline the importance of the accompanying diet in any dietary strategy using fatty acid complements.


2007 ◽  
pp. 37-50
Author(s):  
K Mahomed ◽  
MA Williams ◽  
IB King ◽  
S Mudzamiri ◽  
GB Woelk

We sought to examine the association between maternal erythrocyte omega-3, omega-6 and trans fatty acids and risk of preeclampsia. We conducted a case-control study of 170 women with proteinuric, pregnancy-induced hypertension and 185 normotensive pregnant women who delivered at Harare Maternity Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe. We measured erythrocyte omega-3, omega-6 and trans fatty acid as the percentage of total fatty acids using gas chromatography. After multivariate adjustment for confounding factors, women in the highest quartile group for total omega-3 fatty acids compared with women in the lowest quartile experienced a 14% reduction in risk of preeclampsia (odds ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 1.63). For total omega-6 fatty acids the odds ratio was 0.46 (95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.92), although there was suggestion of a slight increase in risk of preeclampsia associated with high levels of arachidonic acid. Among women in the highest quartile for arachidonic acid the odds ratio was 1.29 (95% confidence interval 0.66 to 2.54). A strong statistically significant positive association of diunsaturated fatty acids with a trans double bond with risk of preeclampsia was observed. Women in the upper quartile of 9-cis 12-trans octadecanoic acid (C(18:2n6ct)) compared with those in the lowest quartile experienced a 3-fold higher risk of preeclampsia (odds ratio = 3.02, 95% confidence interval 1.41 to 6.45). Among women in the highest quartile for 9-trans 12-cis octadecanoic acid (C(18:2n6tc)) the odds ratio was 3.32 (95% confidence interval 1.55 to 7.13). Monounsaturated trans fatty acids were also positively associated with the risk of preeclampsia, although of much reduced magnitude. We observed a strong positive association of trans fatty acids, particularly diunsaturated trans fatty acids, with the risk of preeclampsia. We found little support for the hypothesized inverse association between omega-3 fatty acids and preeclampsia risk in this population. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, were comparatively lower in Zimbabwean than among US pregnant women. Given the limited inter-person variation in omega-3 fatty acids among Zimbabwean women, our sample size may be too small to adequately assess the relation in this population.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 134-135
Author(s):  
Artemis P Simopoulos

Abstract Human beings evolved on a diet that was balanced in the omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids to which their genes were programmed to respond. Studies on gene-nutrient interactions using methods from molecular biology and genetics have clearly shown that there are genetic differences in the population, as well as differences in the frequency of genetic variations that interact with diet and influence the growth and development of humans and animals, as well as overall health and chronic disease. Nutrigenetics refers to studies on the role of genetic variants and their response to diet. For example, persons with genetic variants in the metabolism of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids have different levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) based on the type of genetic variant in the Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 (FADS1) and Fatty Acid Desaturase 2 (FADS2). At the same level of linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) a person with a genetic variant that increases the activity of the FADS1 will have a higher AA in the red cell membrane phospholipids and a higher risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Nutrigenomics refers to how nutrients (diets) influence the expression of genes. For example, diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA decrease the expression of inflammatory genes and as a result decrease the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Thus, through studies on Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics nutritional science stands at its “golden threshold” where personalized nutrition is the future, to improve an individual’s health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinzia Myriam Calabrese ◽  
Alessia Valentini ◽  
Giorgio Calabrese

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease resulting from a complex interplay between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Regarding the latter, gut microbiota has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of T1DM, by affecting intestinal permeability, molecular mimicry, and modulating innate and adaptive immune system, as described in several previous studies. The composition of the gut microbiota is largely influenced by diet. Some observational studies have shown that a low fiber intake is associated with the development of many inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. In this context, the Mediterranean diet (MD), which is based on high consumption of cereals (preferably as whole grains), legumes, nuts, vegetables, fruits, olive oil, and fish, could play a protective role. Many of the characteristic components of MD have functional characteristics with positive effects on health and well-being. Eating habits are the main significant determinants of the microbial multiplicity of the intestine and the food components influence both microbial populations and their metabolic activities from the early stages of life. Moreover, food metabolites influence the immune response. The intestine is considered the primary site where food metabolites mediate their effects, through epithelial integrity or mucosal immunity. The compromised epithelial integrity allows the translocation of bacteria and/or the diffusion of their products, such as food antigens and lipopolysaccharides, from the intestinal lumen to the tissues, which could enhance the stimulation of immune cells, contributing to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as T1DM. The intake of a high amount of fiber and therefore of prebiotics with MD allows the microbiota to have a good microbial balance. Moreover, as more dietary fibers are ingested, a higher amount of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) is produced by anaerobic gut microbiota, promoting gut homeostasis, to which also contribute tryptophan metabolites and omega-3-fatty acids. Furthermore, the higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and omega-3-fatty-acids contribute to a better metabolic control. In this review we report the relationship between gut microbiota and T1DM and we explore the effects of Mediterranean diet on microbiota as a potential therapeutic strategy, aimed at preventing or delaying progression of T1DM and its complications.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3765
Author(s):  
Virginie Bottero ◽  
Judith A. Potashkin

Background: The Mediterranean diet, which is rich in olive oil, nuts, and fish, is considered healthy and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Methods: Here, we compared the transcriptome from the blood of subjects with diets supplemented with olives, nuts, or long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and identified the genes differentially expressed. The dietary genes obtained were subjected to network analysis to determine the main pathways, as well as the transcription factors and microRNA interaction networks to elucidate their regulation. Finally, a gene-associated disease interaction network was performed. Results: We identified several genes whose expression is altered after the intake of components of the Mediterranean diets compared to controls. These genes were associated with infection and inflammation. Transcription factors and miRNAs were identified as potential regulators of the dietary genes. Interestingly, caspase 1 and sialophorin are differentially expressed in the opposite direction after the intake of supplements compared to Alzheimer’s disease patients. In addition, ten transcription factors were identified that regulated gene expression in supplemented diets, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease. Conclusions: We identified genes whose expression is altered after the intake of the supplements as well as the transcription factors and miRNAs involved in their regulation. These genes are associated with schizophrenia, neoplasms, and rheumatic arthritis, suggesting that the Mediterranean diet may be beneficial in reducing these diseases. In addition, the results suggest that the Mediterranean diet may also be beneficial in reducing the risk of dementia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 339-340
Author(s):  
Sergiane A Araújo ◽  
Ronaldo L Oliveira ◽  
Analívia M Barbosa ◽  
Aline R Silva ◽  
Rebeca D X Ribeiro ◽  
...  

Abstract Lauric acid (LA) is an additive used in ruminant’s diet with the purpose of mitigating the methane effect. However, the presence of a certain amount of LA in the rumen can cause a reduction in the microbial population and ruminal metabolic processes, such as the biohydrogenation. This study aimed evaluate the effect of the LA inclusion in the diet of Nellore on the fatty acids profile of the meat. Thirty-two young Nellore bulls were used with an average age of 24-months. The animals were individually fed with a total mixed ration with 40% of roughage (Cynodon sp. hay) and 60% of concentrated mix, composed with ground corn, soybean meal, urea, mineral premix and LA in 0.0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5% of inclusion in the total diet dry matter basis. Those amounts constituted the treatments. At the end of the trial, the animals were slaughtered and the meat was stored at -21oC, before analyses. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments and eight replications. The data were submitted to regression analysis, and significance was declared when P < 0.05. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of the inclusion of LA in the sum of saturated fatty acids (∑SAF=43.45±1.55), monounsaturated fatty acids (∑MUFA=41.9±0.29), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (∑PUFA=12.25±1.40). The inclusion of LA in the diets also did not affect the sum of omega-3 fatty acids (∑ n-3=1.05±0.22), omega-6 fatty acids (∑ n-6=3.02±0.49, and the reason n-6: n-3 (2.91±0.12). The atherogenicity (0.65±0.05) and trombogenicity (1.47±0.10) indexes, important indexes to predict heart coronary diseases risk, were not affected by the inclusion of LA in the diet of the animals. The results suggest that LA can be included up to 1.5% (DM basis of total diet) in the diets of Nellore without causing any significant changes in the fatty acids profile of the meat.


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