Abstract
Obesity and its related disorders, such as diabetes and cardiovascular risk, represent an emerging global health issue. Even though genetic factors seem to be the primary actors in the development and progression of these diseases, dietary choices also appear to be of crucial importance. A healthy diet combined with physical activity have been shown to ameliorate glycaemic levels and insulin sensitivity, reduce body weight and the risk of chronic diseases, and contribute to an overall improvement in quality of life. Among nutrients, phytosterols have become the focus of growing attention as novel functional foods in the management of metabolic disorders. Phytosterols are natural plant compounds belonging to the triterpene family and are structurally similar to cholesterol. They are known for their cholesterol-lowering effects, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and the benefits they offer to the immune system. The present review aims to provide an overview of these bioactive compounds and their therapeutic potential in the fields of obesity and metabolic disorders, with special attention given to oxidative stress, inflammatory status, and gut dysbiosis, all common features of the aforementioned diseases.
Highlights
Over the last decade, obesity has become a global epidemic affecting both children and adult populations, with prevalence increasing more than four-fold since 1975
Obesity is a complex and multifactorial disease that typically contributes to a cluster of disorders, including insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, and hypertension, which are closely associated with the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease, and stroke [7,35]
Accumulating research suggests that phytosterols are an alternative and/or complementary therapy for obese and diabetic patients, mainly because of their efficacy, safety, and patients’ sense of control over their treatment/healthcare
Summary
Obesity has become a global epidemic affecting both children and adult populations, with prevalence increasing more than four-fold since 1975. The excessive energy intake and low expenditure that characterise obesity lead to an energy imbalance and an abnormal accumulation of lipids in metabolic tissues, mainly liver and adipose tissue [3,4,5] This results in the development of a low-grade systemic inflammatory state, which is related to the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Growing data have shown that the gut microbiota bears a significant functional role in the onset of metabolic disorders [8] These diseases have been associated with an altered intestinal microbiota composition, known as dysbiosis, along with increased gut permeability, both of which favour bacterial endotoxin translocation into the systemic circulation, contributing to the low-grade systemic inflammation reported in obese and diabetic subjects [9,10]. We hope to provide a valuable reference for studies related to obesity and diabetes in which phytosterol-based diets are assessed
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