1,721,005 research outputs found
Role of phytochemicals in the management of metabolic syndrome
No full textBackground The World Health Organization (WHO) for some years has been focusing on what is now commonly referred to as an “epidemic of obesity and diabetes” (“diabesity”): behind this outbreak, there are several risk factors grouped in what is called “metabolic syndrome” (MetS). The basis of this “epidemic” is either a diet too often characterized by excessive consumption of saturated and trans-esterified fatty acids, simple sugars and salt, either a sedentary lifestyle. Purpose The aim of this review is to focus on the phytochemicals that have a more positive effect on the treatment and/or prevention of MetS. Chapters Treatment strategies for MetS include pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options, with varying degrees of success rate. The first is indicated for patients with high cardiovascular risk, while the second one is the most cost-effective preventive approach for subjects with borderline parameters and for patients intolerant to pharmacological therapy. MetS non-pharmacological treatments could involve the use of nutraceuticals, most of which has plant origins (phytochemicals), associated with lifestyle improvement. The chapter will discuss the available evidence on soluble fibres from psyllium and other sources, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid and other cinnamon phytochemicals, berberine, corosolic acid from banaba, charantin from bitter gourd, catechins and flavonols from green tea and cocoa. Vegetable omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, alliin from garlic, soy peptides, and curcumin from curcuma longa. Conclusion Some nutraceuticals, when adequately dosed, should improve a number of the MetS components. © 2015 Elsevier Gmb
La rintracciabilità come contributo alla sostenibilità delle filiere agroalimentari: il caso di un molino-pastificio
No full textHandbook of Nutraceuticals for Clinical Use
No full textThis handbook provides key information on the clinical use of nutraceuticals, an increasingly common practice grounded in an understanding of the pharmacological activities of natural compounds and clinical evidence of efficacy and safety. Each chapter examines the effects of nutraceuticals in different therapeutic contexts, including nutraceuticals active on the digestive system, heart, lipid and glucose metabolism, and immune system. The authors also address relevant concerns such as relative and absolute contraindications, range of tested doses (efficacious and safe), possible side effects and pharmacological interactions, and the scientific level of clinical evidence for each product. Despite the availability of a large number of nutraceuticals on the market, the same compound is often offered by different industries at different dosages and concentrations, with different titration and often with different suggestions of efficacy. Available academic books on nutraceuticals prioritize summarizing information or focus on the pharmacological aspects on cells or animals models rather than on proof in humans. The handbook takes a unique and practical approach intended to assist clinicians, pharmacologists, nutritionists, and dietitians considering prescribing nutraceuticals for therapeutic use. Renowned expert Professor Arrigo Cicero is known internationally for his work in nutraceuticals, and currently serves as President of the Italian Nutraceutical Society
Nutraceutical approach to Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): the available clinical evidence.
Full text linkNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical condition characterized by lipid infiltration of the liver, highly prevalent in the general population affecting 25% of adults, with a doubled prevalence in diabetic and obese patients. Almost 1/3 of NAFLD evolves in Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis (NASH), and this can lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver. However, the main causes of mortality of patients with NAFLD are cardiovascular diseases. At present, there are no specific drugs approved on the market for the treatment of NAFLD, and the treatment is essentially based on optimization of lifestyle. However, some nutraceuticals could contribute to the improvement of lipid infiltration of the liver and of the related anthropometric, haemodynamic, and/or biochemical parameters. The aim of this paper is to review the available clinical data on the effect of nutraceuticals on NAFLD and NAFLD-related parameters. Relatively few nutraceutical molecules have been adequately studied for their effects on NAFLD. Among these, we have analysed in detail the effects of silymarin, vitamin E, vitamin D, polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 series, astaxanthin, coenzyme Q10, berberine, curcumin, resveratrol, extracts of Salvia milthiorriza, and probiotics. In conclusion, Silymarin, vitamin E and vitamin D, polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 series, coenzyme Q10, berberine and curcumin, if well dosed and administered for medium–long periods, and associated to lifestyle changes, could exert positive effects on NAFLD and NAFLD-related parameters. View Full-Tex
Food and plant bioactives for reducing cardiovascular disease risk
No full textCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. The economic burden for CVDs is estimated to have been 906 billion dollars in 2015 and is expected to rise to 22% by 2030. In this context, the scientific community is highlighting the need to support a concept of "preventive medicine", based first of all to the lifestyle change, and if necessary, the use of nutraceutical substances as well. The evidence-based prescription of these molecules seems a viable option, especially in people in primary prevention from chronic diseases and, in the specific, in patients with suboptimal values of blood pressure, cholesterolemia and triglyceridemia. Within the world of nutraceuticals, in the last years, a growing interest has been directed to food and plant bioactives, which may have a potential disease preventing and therapeutic use. In particular, bioactive peptides derived from both animal and plant derivatives demonstrated a significant anti-hypertensive and lipid-lowering effect in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Furthermore, some polyphenols isolated from foods or plants, exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity, which could strengthen the prevention of chronic diseases. Other bioactive compounds extracted from food or plant derivates and used to support cardiovascular risk patients include polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), lycopene, alliin, plant sterols, monacolin k and berberine. Nevertheless, although bioactive molecules showed their effectiveness in the studies conducted up to today, further long-term RCTs are necessary to confirm these effects to allow their preventive use
Nutraceutical approach to age-related diseases-The clinical evidence on cognitive decline
No full textIn recent decades, preclinical research into natural products has focused on the identification of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites produced by plants, often traditionally used as medicinal remedies. Beyond vitamins and minerals, plants contain other secondary metabolites recently defined as “nutraceuticals, " which are at the center of important scientific studies. The term nutraceutical is a portmanteau word, a combination of “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical, " and refers to “naturally derived bioactive compounds that are found in foods, dietary supplements, and herbal products and have health-promoting, disease-preventing, and/or medicinal properties.” Several nutraceuticals exhibit antiaging features by acting on the inflammatory status and on the prevention of oxidative reaction. This results in a significant reduction of all risk factors for age-related diseases, enhancing the attainment of healthy aging. In this context, the chapter will summarize the available clinical evidence supporting the use of selected botanicals and phytochemicals with confirmed activity on the human central nervous system and demonstrated effects in modulating cognitive decline as an example of age-related disease. In particular, the chapter will focus on data supporting the potential usefulness of Ginkgo biloba, Vitis vinifera, Camellia sinensis, Theobroma cacao, Bacopa monnieri, Crocus sativus, and Curcuma longa
Food and plant bioactives for reducing cardiometabolic disease: How does the evidence stack up?
No full textBackground The cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention is a healthy lifestyle. A large body of research indicated a number of food and plant bioactives potentially efficacious in reducing some highly prevalent cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and insulin-resistance. Scope and approach The aim of this review focuses on reviewing the available data on food and plant components improving lipid level or lipid oxidation, with demonstrated benefit on human vascular health, in particular in regards to endothelial function and arterial stiffness. Key findings and conclusions Despite the availability of a large number of trials demonstrating short-term lipid-lowering effects of several food and plant bioactives, only a few of them have also demonstrated a direct positive effect for the prevention of vascular aging. In particular, promising data are available as regards green tea extract, red yeast rice, coenzyme Q10, soy, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, curcumin, and vitamin E. Supplementation with red yeast rice and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has also been associated with a decrease in cardiovascular mortality risk. Future clinical research will have to focus more on middle term modification of endothelial function and arterial stiffness (markers of vascular aging) rather than on short-term effects using indirect laboratory risk markers
Statins and nutraceuticals/functional food: Could they be combined?
No full textHypercholesterolemia constitutes one of the main cardiovascular risk factors and, consequently, treat it is really important to limit the risk of one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. Therefore, an effective treatment to reduce high cholesterol is necessary: statins have proved to be the gold standard among lipid-lowering drugs, but at the cost of many unpleasant side effects. At the same time, many nutraceuticals or functional foods were identified to lower levels of LDL cholesterol, acting according to different mechanisms of action. Soluble fiber, glucomannan, plant sterols and probiotics inhibit the absorption of cholesterol and biliary salts by the bowel; monacolins, polycosanols, garlic and bergamot inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, limiting the hepatic synthesis of cholesterol; berberine, soy proteins and green tea act as inducers of LDL cholesterol excretion. Clinical trials have shown that these nutraceuticals have an additive effect to statins, allowing to reduce the doses of statins without decreasing the results in terms of effectiveness in reducing total and LDL-cholesterol and significantly limiting side effects. The results of the studies carried out have been encouraging, but further clinical trials prolonged over time are required to better assess the potential and possible long-term side effects of nutraceuticals and their combination with statins
An update on the safety of nutraceuticals and effects on lipid parameters.
No full textIntroduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality and disability in developed countries, whereas a large portion of patients in primary prevention have uncontrolled level of CVD risk factors. Dietary supplementation with bioactive natural compounds with demonstrated lipid-lowering effects is currently supported by the international guidelines for CVD prevention and some international expert panels. Areas covered: This review provides insights on issues concerning the tolerability and safety of the most commonly used nutraceuticals with demonstrated lipid-lowering effect in humans. They will be then divided into three main categories according to their mechanism of action (cholesterol synthesis inhibitors, intestinal cholesterol absorption inhibitors, and LDL-C excretion stimulants) and their pharmacological profile will be discussed. Expert opinion: A growing body of preclinical, epidemiological and clinical evidence has defined the tolerability and safety profile of the most commonly used lipid-lowering nutraceuticals. In the most part of cases, the side effects are mild and reversible. However, detailed knowledge of specific health risks and pharmacological interactions for each individual compound is needed for the management of frail patients, such as children, elderly, patients with liver or renal failure, and patients consuming numerous drugs
Nutraceutical Approach to Chronic Osteoarthritis: From Molecular Research to Clinical Evidence
Full text linkOsteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative inflammatory condition of the joint cartilage that currently affects approximately 58 million adults in the world. It is characterized by pain, stiffness, and a reduced range of motion with regard to the arthritic joints. These symptoms can cause in the long term a greater risk of overweight/obesity, diabetes mellitus, and falls and fractures. Although the current guidelines for the treatment of OA suggest, as the gold standard for this condition, pharmacological treatment characterized by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), opioids, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-specific drugs, a great interest has been applied to nutraceutical supplements, which include a heterogeneous class of molecules with great potential to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, pain, and joint stiffness and improve cartilage formation. The purpose of this review is to describe the potential application of nutraceuticals in OA, highlighting its molecular mechanisms of actions and data of efficacy and safety (when available)
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