Lipids play an important role in human nutrition. Although adequate lipid consumption is necessary for an optimal functioning of the human body, overconsumption of saturated fatty acids can lead to postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia, which triggers the development of atherosclerosis. Important parameters that impact postprandial lipaemia and inflammation are related to the matrix structure and the fat-soluble micronutrient profile of ingested foods/lipids, but the specific effect of these parameters should be further studied, as most of the available studies evaluate their effect at fasting state. This review specifically explores the effects of food structure and fat-soluble micronutrients, from either micronutrient-rich foods or supplements, on postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia and inflammation. The review also highlights the potential of emerging biomarkers such as miRNAs or circulating microvesicles, as an alternative to the widely use biomarkers (e.g. low-density lipoproteins or blood concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines), to identify inflammation associated with postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia at early stages.

This study evaluated the effect of green tea extract and metformin and its interaction on markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in overweight women with insulin resistance. After screening, 120 women were randomly allocated in 4 groups: Placebo (PC): 1g of microcrystalline cellulose/day; Green tea (GT): 1 g (558 mg polyphenols) of standardized dry extract of green tea/day and 1 g of placebo/day; Metformin (MF): 1 g of metformin/day and 1 g of placebo/day; Green Tea and Metformin (GTMF): 1 g (558 mg polyphenols) and 1 g of metformin/day. All groups were followed-up for 12 weeks with assessment of oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, specific activity of antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokine serum levels. The association of green tea with metformin significantly reduced IL-6 (GTMF: –29.7((–62.6)–20.2))(p = 0.004). Green tea and metformin isolated reduced TNF-α (GT: –12.1((–18.0)–(–3.5)); MF: –24.5((–38.60)–(–4.4)) compared to placebo (PB: 13.8 (1.2–29.2))(P < 0.001). Also, isolated metformin reduced TGF-β (MF: –25.1((–64.4)–0.04)) in comparison to placebo (PB: 6.3((–1.0)–16.3))(p = 0.038). However, when combined, their effects were nullified either for TNF-α (GTMF: 6.0((–5.7)–23.9) and for TGF-β (GTMF: –1.8((–32.1)–8.5). This study showed that there is a drug-nutrient interaction between green tea and metformin that is dependent on the cytokine analyzed.

The antioxidant capacity and the inflammatory potential of diet during pregnancy may represent a prevention opportunity for allergic and respiratory diseases. We aimed to investigate the associations between the antioxidant and inflammatory potential of maternal diet in the last three months of pregnancy with allergic and respiratory diseases in children. Analyses were performed on 9679 mother-child pairs from the ELFE birth cohort. The dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC), without coffee, was estimated with the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), the total radical trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), and the ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP). The inflammatory potential of the maternal diet was assessed by the energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII). Allergic and respiratory diseases in children up to 5.5 years were considered jointly through five allergic and respiratory multimorbidity clusters (“asymptomatic” - reference, “early wheeze without asthma”, “asthma only”, “allergies without asthma”, “multi-allergic”). Multinomial logistic regressions were performed and adjusted for main confounders. A diet with a higher antioxidant potential was associated with a lower risk of belonging to the “early wheeze without asthma” cluster (aOR(95%CI) = 0.95 (0.90;0.99) per standard deviation (SD) of TEAC score). A higher E-DII was associated with a higher risk of belonging to the “asthma only” cluster (aOR(95% CI)= 1.09 (1.00;1.19) per SD). No association was found with the “allergies without asthma” or “multi-allergic” clusters. An antioxidant-rich diet during pregnancy was associated with better respiratory health while a pro-inflammatory diet was associated with poorer respiratory health in children up to 5.5 years, though the associations were weak.

Epidemiological and clinical trial evidence indicates that n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake is cardioprotective. Nevertheless, claims that n-6 PUFA intake promotes inflammation and oxidative stress prevail. This narrative review aims to provide health professionals with an up-to-date evidence overview to provide the requisite background to address patient/client concerns about oils containing predominantly unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), including MUFA and PUFA. Edible plant oils, commonly termed vegetable oils, are derived from vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruits and cereal grains. Substantial variation exists in the fatty acid composition of these oils; however, all are high in UFA, while being relatively low in saturated fatty acids (SFA), except for tropical oils. Epidemiological evidence indicates that higher PUFA intake is associated with lower risk of incident CVD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Additionally, replacement of SFA with PUFA is associated with reduced risk of CVD and T2DM. Clinical trials show higher intake of UFA from plant sources improves major CVD risk factors, including reducing levels of atherogenic lipids and lipoproteins. Importantly, clinical trials show that increased n-6 PUFA (linoleic acid) intake does not increase markers of inflammation or oxidative stress. Evidence-based guidelines from authoritative health and scientific organisations recommend intake of non-tropical vegetable oils, which contain MUFA and n-6 PUFA, as part of healthful dietary patterns. Specifically, vegetable oils rich in UFA should be consumed instead of rich sources of SFA, including butter, tallow, lard, palm and coconut oils.

Inflammation and infections such as malaria affect micronutrient biomarker concentrations and hence estimates of nutritional status. It is unknown whether correction for C-reactive protein (CRP) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) fully captures the modification in ferritin concentrations during a malaria infection, or whether environmental and sociodemographic factors modify this association. Cross-sectional data from eight surveys in children aged 6–59 months (Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia; n 6653) from the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anaemia (BRINDA) project were pooled. Ferritin was adjusted using the BRINDA adjustment method, with values < 12 μg/l indicating iron deficiency. The association between current or recent malaria infection, detected by microscopy or rapid test kit, and inflammation-adjusted ferritin was estimated using pooled multivariable linear regression. Age, sex, malaria endemicity profile (defined by the Plasmodium falciparum infection prevalence) and malaria diagnostic methods were examined as effect modifiers. Unweighted pooled malaria prevalence was 26·0 % (95 % CI 25·0, 27·1) and unweighted pooled iron deficiency was 41·9 % (95 % CI 40·7, 43·1). Current or recent malaria infection was associated with a 44 % (95 % CI 39·0, 52·0; P < 0·001) increase in inflammation-adjusted ferritin after adjusting for age and study identifier. In children, ferritin increased less with malaria infection as age and malaria endemicity increased. Adjustment for malaria increased the prevalence of iron deficiency, but the effect was small. Additional information would help elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the role of endemicity and age in the association between malaria and ferritin.

Emerging evidence suggests that low-grade systemic inflammation plays a key role in altering brain activity, behaviour and affect. Modulation of the gut microbiota using prebiotic fibre offers a potential therapeutic tool to regulate inflammation, mediated via the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). However, the impact of prebiotic consumption on affective symptoms and the possible contribution from inflammation, gut symptoms and the gut microbiome are currently underexamined. In this 12-week study, the effects of a diverse prebiotic blend on inflammation, gut microbiota profiles and affective symptoms in a population with metabolic syndrome (MetS) were examined. Sixty males and females with MetS meeting the criteria for MetS were randomised into a treatment group (n 40), receiving 10 g per day of a diverse prebiotic blend and healthy eating advice, and a control group (n 20), receiving healthy eating advice only. Our results showed a significant reduction in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the treatment (–0·58 [–9·96 to–2·63]) compared with control (0·37 [–3·64 to–3·32]), alongside significant improvements in self-reported affective scores in the treatment compared with the control group. While there were no differences in relative abundance between groups at week 12, there was a significant increase from baseline to week 12 in fecal Bifidobacterium and Parabacteroides in the treatment group, both of which are recognised as SCFA producers. Multivariate regression analyses further revealed an association between gastrointestinal symptoms and hs-CRP with affective scores. Together, this study provides preliminary support for a diverse prebiotic blend for mood, stress and anxiety.

An anti-inflammatory diet is characterised by incorporating foods with potential anti-inflammatory properties, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, spices, herbs and plant-based protein. Concurrently, pro-inflammatory red and processed meat, refined carbohydrates and saturated fats are limited. This article explores the effects of an anti-inflammatory diet on non-communicable diseases (NCD), concentrating on the underlying mechanisms that connect systemic chronic inflammation, dietary choices and disease outcomes. Chronic inflammation is a pivotal contributor to the initiation and progression of NCD. This review provides an overview of the intricate pathways through which chronic inflammation influences the pathogenesis of conditions including obesity, type II diabetes mellitus, CVD, autoinflammatory diseases, cancer and cognitive disorders. Through a comprehensive synthesis of existing research, we aim to identify some bioactive compounds present in foods deemed anti-inflammatory, explore their capacity to modulate inflammatory pathways and, consequently, to prevent or manage NCD. The findings demonstrated herein contribute to an understanding of the interplay between nutrition, inflammation and chronic diseases, paving a way for future dietary recommendations and research regarding preventive or therapeutic strategies.

Metabolic and inflammatory dysfunction is prevalent in middle-aged people with major mood disorders, but less is known about young people. We investigated the trajectories of sensitive metabolic (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance [HOMA2-IR]) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein [CRP]) in 155 young people (26.9 ± 5.6 years) accessing mental health services. We examined demographic and clinical correlates, longitudinal trajectories and relationships with specific illness subtypes. Additionally, we compared the HOMA2-IR with fasting blood glucose (FBG) for sensitivity. We observed a significant increase in HOMA2-IR and CRP over time with higher baseline levels predicting greater increases, although the rate of increase diminished in those with higher baseline levels. Body mass index predicted increases in HOMA2-IR (p < 0.001), but not CRP (p = 0.135). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that higher HOMA2-IR levels were associated with 2.3-fold increased odds of the “circadian-bipolar spectrum” subtype (p = 0.033), while higher CRP levels were associated with a reduced risk of the “neurodevelopmental psychosis” subtype (p = 0.033). Standard FBG measures were insensitive in detecting early metabolic dysregulation in young people with depression. The study supports the use of more sensitive markers of metabolic dysfunction to address the longitudinal relationships between immune-metabolic dysregulation and mood disorders in young people.

Adopting a healthy dietary pattern may be an initial step in combating inflammation-related chronic diseases; however, a comprehensive synthesis evaluating current evidence is lacking. This umbrella review aimed to summarise the current evidence on the effects of dietary patterns on circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in adults. We conducted an exhaustive search of the Pubmed, Scopus and Epistemonikos databases, spanning from their inception to November 2023, to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses across all study designs. Subsequently, we employed a random-effects model to recompute the pooled mean difference. Methodological quality was assessed using the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) checklist, and evidence certainty was categorised as non-significant, weak, suggestive, highly suggestive or convincing (PROSPERO: CRD42023484917). We included twenty-seven articles with thirty meta-analyses of seven dietary patterns, fifteen of which (50 %) exhibited high methodological quality. The summary effects of randomised controlled trials (RCT) found that the Mediterranean diet was the most effective in reducing circulating CRP levels, followed by Vegetarian/Vegan and Energy-restricted diets, though the evidence was of weak quality. In contrast, Intermittent Fasting, Ketogenic, Nordic and Paleolithic diets did not show an inverse correlation with circulating CRP levels. Some results from combined interventional and observational studies, as well as solely observational studies, also agreed with these findings. These dietary patterns show the potential in reducing CRP levels in adults, yet the lack of high-quality evidence suggests future studies may alter the summary estimates. Therefore, further well-conducted studies are warranted.

A gluten-free diet (GFD) may have a stronger potential impact on reducing cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, according to research evidence. We investigated the impact of GFD on CV risk variables by doing a systematic review and meta-analysis for this reason. We conducted a thorough database search starting on January 1, 2000, and ending on July 12, 2022. We used random-effects models to pool the data. Totally 19 articles met the eligible criteria and were included. Pooled findings indicated that intervention with GFD has a significantly beneficial effect on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (WMD: 4.80 mg/dl, 95% CI: 2.09, 7.51, P = 0.001), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD: –2.96 mmHg; 95% CI: –4.11, –1.81, P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD: –0.40, mg/l, 95% CI: –0.67, –0.14, P = 0.002) levels. In celiac patients as well as with an intervention duration of more than 48 weeks, GFD increased TC and HDL compared to non-celiac patients and with an intervention duration lower than 48 weeks, respectively. The results of the present study showed that GFD can have a significant and beneficial effect on HDL, SBP, and CRP.

Multimorbidity, the existence of two or more concurrent chronic conditions in a single individual, represents a major global health challenge. The Nutrition Society’s 2023 Winter Conference at the Royal Society, London focused on the topic of ‘Diet and lifestyle strategies for prevention and management of multimorbidity’, with symposia designed to explore pathways for prevention of multimorbidity across the lifecourse, the role of ageing, the gut-brain-heart connection and lifestyle strategies for prevention and management of multimorbidity. It also considered machine learning and precision nutrition approaches for addressing research challenges in multimorbidity. The opening plenary lecture discussed advancing diet and lifestyle research to address the increasing burden and complexity of multimorbidity. The two-day programme concluded with a plenary which addressed the key dietary risk factors and policies in multimorbidity prevention.

Obesity is a multifactorial pathophysiological condition with an imbalance in biochemical, immunochemical, redox status and genetic parameters values. We aimed to estimate the connection between relative leucocyte telomere lengths (rLTL) – biomarker of cellular ageing with metabolic and redox status biomarkers values in a group of obese and lean children. The study includes 110 obese and 42 lean children and adolescents, both sexes. The results suggested that rLTL are significantly shorter in obese, compared with lean group (P < 0·01). Negative correlation of rLTL with total oxidant status (TOS) (Spearman’s ρ = –0·365, P < 0·001) as well as with C-reactive protein (Spearman’s ρ = –0·363, P < 0·001) were observed. Principal component analysis (PCA) extracted three distinct factors (i.e. principal components) entitled as: prooxidant factor with 35 % of total variability; antioxidant factor with 30 % of total variability and lipid antioxidant – biological ageing factor with 12 % of the total variability. The most important predictor of BMI > 30 kg/m2 according to logistic regression analysis was PCA-derived antioxidant factor’s score (OR: 1·66, 95th Cl 1·05–2·6, P = 0·029). PCA analysis confirmed that oxidative stress importance in biological ageing is caused by obesity and its multiple consequences related to prooxidants augmentation and antioxidants exhaustion and gave us clear signs of disturbed cellular homoeostasis deepness, even before any overt disease occurrence.

This study investigated the impact of regular consumption of fermented vegetables (FVs) on inflammation and the composition of the gut microbiota in adults at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Eighty-seven adults ages 35–64 were randomized into an FV group, who consumed 100 g FVs daily at least five times per week for eight weeks, or a usual diet (UD) group. Blood and stool samples were obtained before and after the intervention. Dependent samples t tests and adjusted linear models were used for within- and between-group comparisons. The mean age and body mass index of participants were 45 years and 30 kg/m2, and 80% were female. Bloating or gas was the most common side effect reported (19.3% FV group vs. 9.4% UD group). There were no changes in C-reactive protein, oxidized low-density lipoprotein-receptor 1, angiopoietin-like protein 4, trimethylamine oxide, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein or bacterial alpha diversity between groups. Our findings indicate that consuming 100 g of FVs for at least five days per week for eight weeks does not change inflammatory biomarkers or microbial alpha diversity as measured by the Shannon index. It is possible that higher doses of FVs are necessary to elicit a significant response by gut bacteria.

The consumption of healthy foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, dairy, and fish is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is an inflammatory disease caused by atherosclerosis. Inflammation is measured clinically using hsCRP, however hsCRP is not specific to CVD. Novel pro-inflammatory markers, such as platelet-activating factor (PAF) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), have garnered attention due to their specific roles in endothelial dysfunction and CVD risk. During the COVID 19 outbreak research highlighted a potential interaction between PAF and Lp-PLA2 and the SARS COVID 19 virus(1-3) and related adenovirus-vector and mRNA vaccines.4 This cross-sectional study investigated the association between PAF, Lp-PLA2, hsCRP, and intake of healthy food groups including fruit, cruciferous and other vegetables, grains, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, nuts and legumes, and dairy in 100 adults (49 ± 13 years, 31% male) with variable CVD risk. Data were collected across four groups during May and July 2021 (Groups 1 and 2 - CVD risk factors) and January and April 2022 (Groups 3 and 4 - no CVD risk factors). Fasting PAF, Lp-PLA2 and hsCRP and usual dietary intake (food frequency questionnaire) were measured. Food intake was converted into serves and classified into food groups. Correlations and multiple regressions were performed. Contrary to expectations, mean PAF was lower for groups 1 and 2 (n = 46, mean PAF 3.31 ± 1.66 ng/mL) compared to groups 3 and 4 (n = 54, mean PAF 19.82 ± 12.95 ng/mL) p < 0.001 with a large effect size (eta squared 0.665). Cruciferous vegetables were associated with lower levels of PAF (β = -.27, CI [−0.41, −0.14], p < .001) with a one serve increase in cruciferous vegetables per day associated with an 24% reduction in PAF. Nuts and legumes were associated with lower levels of hsCRP (β = -.51, CI [−0.81, −0.22], p<.001) with an increase of one serve per day associated with a 40% reduction in hsCRP. There were small inverse associations between cheese and both PAF (β = -.15, CI [−0.27, −0.03], p = .017) and Lp-PLA2 (β = -.26, CI [−0.47, −0.04], p = .024), however these were not significant at the Bonferroni-adjusted P<.005 level. In conclusion, cruciferous vegetables and nut and legume consumption were associated with lower levels of inflammation. The lack of associations between PAF and Lp-PLA2 and other healthy foods may be due to confounding by COVID-19 infection and vaccination programs which prevents any firm conclusion on the relationship between PAF, Lp-PLA2 and food groups. Future research should aim to examine the relationship with these novel markers and healthy food groups in a non-pandemic setting.