New Advances in Metabolic Syndrome, from Prevention to Treatment: The Role of Diet and Food

The definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has undergone several changes over the years due to the difficulty in establishing universal criteria for it. Underlying the disorders related to MetS is almost invariably a pro-inflammatory state related to altered glucose metabolism, which could lead to elevated cardiovascular risk. Indeed, the complications closely related to MetS are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). It has been observed that the predisposition to metabolic syndrome is modulated by complex interactions between human microbiota, genetic factors, and diet. This review provides a summary of the last decade of literature related to three principal aspects of MetS: (i) the syndrome's definition and classification, pathophysiology, and treatment approaches; (ii) prediction and diagnosis underlying the biomarkers identified by means of advanced methodologies (NMR, LC/GC-MS, and LC, LC-MS); and (iii) the role of foods and food components in prevention and/or treatment of MetS, demonstrating a possible role of specific foods intake in the development of MetS.

Automated summary

The definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has changed over time due to the difficulty in establishing universal criteria. MetS is associated with a pro-inflammatory state related to altered glucose metabolism, leading to increased cardiovascular risk. Complications of MetS include cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Genetic factors, human microbiota, and diet play complex roles in the predisposition to MetS. This review summarizes the literature of the past decade on MetS, including its definition, pathophysiology, treatment approaches, prediction and diagnosis using advanced methodologies, and the role of specific foods in prevention and/or treatment.