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This week on the Olive Health Information System website
The newsletter of the University of Navarra and the IOC dedicated to health
This week, the newsletter presents findings from a sub-study of the Prevention with Mediterranean Diet and Behavioral Support (PREDIMED Plus) clinical trial. Evidence suggests that cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is involved in intracellular lipid homeostasis and is deemed a key antiatherosclerotic. Investigators evaluated the CEC according to their intervention group and their association with changes in cardiometabolic traits after 1-year and 3-year of follow-up. Individuals in the intervention group (energy-restricted Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil + physical activity + behavioral support) showed improvements in the CEC after 1-year and 3-year follow-up (2.42% and 10.7%, respectively). Moreover, participants revealed improvements in their senescent T cell profile. These findings suggest that a weight loss intervention focused on an energy-restricted Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil, physical activity, and behavioral support has a positive impact on the aging process and cardiovascular outcomes.
Given the growing aging population and the increasing prevalence of age-related neurodegenerative conditions, lifestyle interventions that promote healthy aging are of great importance. Telomere length (TL) is a well-known hallmark of aging. Telomere shortening and damage are recognized causes of cellular senescence and aging. A sub-study from the PREDIMED-Plus trial analyzed associations between TL and cognitive function (measured by cognitive tests) over time (baseline, 3-year, and 4-year follow-up) in individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Longer baseline TL was associated with improved cognitive function, including Global Cognitive Function, Executive Function domains, and Verbal Fluency, after 4 years. In this study, the authors highlight the importance of identifying individuals at risk of dementia, as early interventions may help prevent accelerated cognitive impairment. In this context, it is important to emphasize that adopting healthy dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet rich in plant-based foods, fish, and olive oil as a main source of fat, could have a protective effect on TL and cognitive function.
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