Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score Research Articles

Changes in Diet Quality over 10 Years Are Associated with Baseline Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors in the Multiethnic Cohort Study

Trends in diet quality among US adults indicate a steady improvement, but data on longitudinal individual-level changes in diet quality are still limited. We examined changes in diet quality over 10 y and sought to determine whether baseline sociodemographic and lifestyle factors predicted the changes in a multiethnic population. Data were from 63,255 African American, Native Hawaiian, Japanese American, Latino, and white men and women (45-75 y old at baseline) in the Multiethnic Cohort, who completed a quantitative food frequency questionnaire at baseline (1993-1996) and 10-y follow-up (2003-2007) and had no prevalent cancer or heart disease at either survey. Overall diet quality was measured by use of the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), the alternate Mediterranean Diet score, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score. We used a general linear model with adjustment for covariates to compare diet quality changes by baseline characteristics in men and women separately. Overall diet quality improved over 10 y by 3.2 points in men and 2.9 in women assessed using the HEI-2015, although scores for some components worsened (saturated and trans fats, indicating increased intake) or remained unchanged at a low quality level (whole grains, dairy, and sodium). In multivariable models where changes in HEI-2015, AHEI-2010, and DASH were harmonized to a 100-point score, greater increases in scores in both men and women were found for Japanese American ethnicity (increase by 0.5-4.7 in the 3 scores, P <0.03), higher education (by 0.5-1.5, P≤0.001), normal weight (BMI 18.5 to <25, by 0.6-2.5, P≤0.01), nonsmoking (by 1.5-2.7, P <0.001), higher moderate/vigorous physical activity level (by 0.3-0.8, P≤0.04), and multivitamin use (by 0.4-0.7, P <0.001) at baseline. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, closely associated with diet quality, also predicted subsequent changes in diet quality over time in this multiethnic population.

Association Between Healthy Eating Patterns and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend multiple healthy eating patterns. However, few studies have examined the associations of adherence to different dietary patterns with long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). To examine the associations of dietary scores for 4 healthy eating patterns with risk of incident CVD. Prospective cohort study of initially healthy women from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) (1984-2016) and the NHS II (1991-2017) and men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) (1986-2012). The dates of analysis were July 25 to December 4, 2019. Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (AMED), Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index (HPDI), and Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI). Cardiovascular disease events, including fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. The final study sample included 74 930 women in the NHS (mean [SD] baseline age, 50.2 [7.2] years), 90 864 women in the NHS II (mean [SD] baseline age, 36.1 [4.7] years), and 43 339 men in the HPFS (mean [SD] baseline age, 53.2 [9.6] years). During a total of 5 257 190 person-years of follow-up, 23 366 incident CVD cases were documented (18 092 CHD and 5687 stroke) (some individuals were diagnosed as having both CHD and stroke). Comparing the highest with the lowest quintiles, the pooled multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of CVD were 0.83 (95% CI, 0.79-0.86) for the HEI-2015, 0.83 (95% CI, 0.79-0.86) for the AMED, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.82-0.89) for the HPDI, and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.75-0.82) for the AHEI (P for trend <.001 for all). In addition, a 25-percentile higher dietary score was associated with 10% to 20% lower risk of CVD (pooled HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.77-0.83] for the HEI-2015; 0.90 [95% CI, 0.87-0.92] for the AMED; 0.86 [95% CI, 0.82-0.89] for the HPDI; and 0.81 [95% CI, 0.78-0.84] for the AHEI). These dietary scores were statistically significantly associated with lower risk of both CHD and stroke. In analyses stratified by race/ethnicity and other potential risk factors for CVD, the inverse associations between these scores and risk of CVD were consistent in most subgroups. In 3 large prospective cohorts with up to 32 years of follow-up, greater adherence to various healthy eating patterns was consistently associated with lower risk of CVD. These findings support the recommendations of the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that multiple healthy eating patterns can be adapted to individual food traditions and preferences.

Organic Food Consumption Is Associated with Inflammatory Biomarkers Among Older Adults in the USA.

Abstract Objectives To explore the association between organic food consumption and inflammatory biomarkers, c-reactive protein (CRP) and cystatin C (CysC). Methods This analysis uses data from the nationally representative, longitudinal panel study of Americans over 50, the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). The mean age of the analytic sample (n = 3623) was 64.3 (SE 0.3) years old with just over half (54.3%) being female. Dietary data was collected in 2013 from a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) as well as questions on organic food consumption in the past year. Biomarkers CRP and CysC were collected in blood serum or plasma in 2016. The Alternative Mediterranean diet score (A-MedDiet) was created using the FFQ to assess the quality of study participants' overall diet. Crude and adjusted linear regression models were constructed to assess the association between consumption of organic foods and log-transformed CRP and CysC, accounting for the complex sample design. Results Log CRP and log CysC were both inversely associated with consuming organic food after adjusting for potential confounders (CRP: β = −0.082; P-value = 0.0284; CysC: β = −0.042; P-value &amp;lt; 0.0001). Additional adjustments for the A-MedDiet attenuated the results. Log CysC remained statistically significant [β = −0.028; P-value &amp;lt; 0.0064] with consumption of organic animal sourced foods driving the association: milk [β = −0.034; P-value = 0.0098], eggs [β = −0.025; P-value = 0.0494], and meat [β = −0.032; P-value = 0.0061]. Conclusions These findings support the hypothesis that organic food consumption is inversely associated with biomarkers of inflammation CRP and CysC. The results suggest that organic food may be a potential protective factor in chronic disease, particularly in regard to consumption of animal-sourced foods. Funding Sources HRS is sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, and is conducted by the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan.

Association of Diet Quality and Breast Cancer Incidence in the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC)

Abstract Objectives Healthy eating patterns assessed by diet quality indexes (DQIs) have been related to lower risk of cancer incidence and mortality; however, the association between DQIs and breast cancer risk is still unclear. This study investigated the relation of DQIs with breast cancer incidence among diverse women from the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC). Methods At baseline (1993–1996), 101,291 female participants of five major racial/ethnic groups (African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Japanese Americans, Latinos and whites) aged 45–75 years completed a survey including a validated food frequency questionnaire. Scores for Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015), Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010), alternate Mediterranean diet score (aMED), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score were calculated and divided into quintiles (Q1-Q5). Cox regression was applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between DQIs and breast cancer risk, with adjustment for known risk factors including body mass index (BMI) among others. Results During a mean follow-up of 17.4 years, 7769 breast cancer cases were identified through linkage to tumor registries. The respective HRs for Q5 vs. Q1 were: 1.06 (95% CI, 0.98–1.14) for HEI-2015, 0.96 (95% CI, 0.90–1.04) for AHEI-2010, 1.01 (95% CI, 0.94–1.09) for aMED, and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.88–1.02) for DASH. No significant dose-response relations of DQIs with breast cancer risk were observed (all Ptrend ≥ 0.07). HRs analyzed by ethnic group also resulted in null findings with no significant dose-response relations and no significant Q5 vs. Q1 associations of DQIs with breast cancer risk (all Ptrend ≥ 0.14). For example, the respective HRs for the HEI-2015 by race/ethnicity were: 0.96 (95% CI, 0.81–1.14) for African Americans, 1.15 (95% CI, 0.90–1.46) for Native Hawaiians, 1.02 (95% CI, 0.89–1.17) for Japanese, 1.08 (95% CI, 0.88–1.33) for Latinas, and 1.08 (95% CI, 0.92–1.27) for whites. Conclusions Although adherence to DQIs was not associated with breast cancer risk overall or within racial/ethnic groups, nutrition remains important in breast cancer prevention as obesity, a strong modifiable risk factor, may be influenced by diet quality. Funding Sources This work was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute.

Genetic Susceptibility, Diet Quality, and Two-Step Progression in Drusen Size.

PurposeTo investigate the relationship of growth in drusen size with genetic susceptibility and adherence to the alternate Mediterranean diet.MethodsParticipants in this analysis had complete ocular, genetic, and dietary data with mean follow-up time of 10.2 years in the Age-Related Eye Disease database. Maximal drusen size was graded on an ordinal scale and two-step progression was determined. A genetic risk score using variants associated with advanced AMD and derived from a stepwise regression model yielded 11 variants in 8 genes. Adherence to the alternate Mediterranean diet was assessed using a nine-component score based on intake of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole cereals, fish, meat, nuts, alcohol, and monounsaturated-to-saturated fatty acids ratio. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used.ResultsAmong 3023 eligible eyes, 19% had drusen growth. In the stepwise selection, common and rare risk alleles for CFH Y402H, CFH rs1410996, CFH R1210C, C3 R102G, C3 K155Q, and ARMS2/HTRA1, as well as VEGF-A, TIMP3, NPLOC4, and HSPH1 variants were significantly associated with 2-step progression in drusen size, and the C2 E318D protective allele conferred decreased risk, adjusting for other covariates. A higher genetic risk score conferred a higher risk (hazard ratio per 1-unit increase, 2.68; 95% confidence interval, 2.23–3.23; P < 0.001), and a medium/high adherence to alternate Mediterranean diet score (4–9) tended to lower risk (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.68–0.99; P = 0.049), adjusting for all covariates.ConclusionsGenetic susceptibility was independently related to drusen growth. A Mediterranean-style diet with healthful nutrient-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes and fish), may reduce enlargement of drusen, the hallmark of AMD.

Mediterranean diet adherence and risk of incident kidney stones

Diet plays an important role in kidney stone formation. Several individual components have been associated with the risk of kidney stone formation, but there is limited evidence regarding the role of healthful dietary patterns. To prospectively study the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the risk of incident kidney stones. We conducted a longitudinal study using 3 different cohorts: the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (n=42,902 men), the Nurses' Health Study I (n=59,994 women), and the Nurses' Health Study II (n=90,631 women). We assessed diet every 4 y using an FFQ and calculated adherence to a Mediterranean diet using the alternate Mediterranean diet score (aMED). A subgroup of 6077 participants provided ≥1 24-h urine sample, and urinary solute excretion was analyzed. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to examine the independent association between the aMED and incidence of kidney stones, adjusting for potential confounders. We used adjusted linear regression models to study the relation between aMED and urine composition. During 3,316,633 person-years of follow-up, 6576 cases of incident kidney stones were identified. For participants in the highest aMED score category, the risk of developing a kidney stone was between 13% and 41% lower compared with participants in the lowest score (pooled HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59, 0.87; P value for trend<0.001). A higher aMED score was associated with higher urinary citrate, magnesium, oxalate, phosphate, uric acid, volume, and pH, and lower urinary sodium, resulting in lower supersaturation for calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and uric acid. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of developing a kidney stone.

Abstract 226: Association Between Sleep Duration and Mediterranean Diet Score in Costa Rica

Background: Short and long sleep are risk factors for coronary artery disease. One of the mechanistic pathways is likely through diet. While many studies have examined associations between sleep and individual dietary components, few have examined diet patterns. We hypothesized that those with short sleep (&lt; 7 hours/night) and long sleep (&gt;9 hours/night) would have lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet. We also examined the effect of social jetlag, that is, a difference in the sleep duration between weekdays and weekends, on the Mediterranean diet. Methods: Participants in this study are population based-controls that were recruited for a case-control study on myocardial infarction and matched by sex, age and area of residence. Study participants (1600 men and 569 women) were recruited randomly using data from the National Census and Statistics Bureau of Costa Rica between 1994 and 2004 and therefore are representative of the Costa Rican population within matching strata. Sleep and napping patterns were self-reported by the participants. Social jetlag was defined as a ≥ 1-hour difference in sleep duration from weekdays to weekends. Validated food frequency questionnaires, detailed socio-demographic, medical history and physical activity questionnaires were administered. Alternative Mediterranean Diet (AMED) scores were calculated based on the consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, fish, red and processed meat, alcohol and monounsaturated fat-to-saturated fat ratios. We used adjusted linear regression models stratified by sex to study the association between sleep duration, social jetlag and AMED score. Results: Men and women with short sleep tended to be younger, more educated, non-smokers, diabetic and have lower physical activity compared to those getting optimal hours (≥ 7 and ≤ 9 hours/night) of sleep. Among women, short sleep on weekdays was significantly associated with having a lower AMED score when compared to those with optimal hours of sleep. This association remained unchanged after adjusting for confounders including age, area of residence, education, napping frequency, caffeine intake, smoking status, physical activity and diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension (ß, -0.41 and CI, -0.69 to -0.13). Women with short sleep had a lower intake of vegetables, fruits, and legumes that contributed to their lower AMED score. There were about 20% of men and women with social jetlag. Social jetlag was associated with lower AMED scores, but it was not statistically significant amongst men (p=0.08) or women (p=0.15) after adjusting for confounders. Conclusions: Short sleep is associated with lower adherence to a Mediterranean diet amongst women in Costa Rica. The lack of an association amongst men might imply different biological pathways and residual confounding by lifestyle factors that drive food consumption in men as compared to women.

Diet Quality and Breast Cancer Incidence in the Multiethnic Cohort.

This study investigated the relation of diet quality indexes (DQI) with breast cancer incidence among women from the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC). Participants completed a questionnaire with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Scores for Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015), Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010), alternate Mediterranean diet score (aMED), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) were divided into quintiles (Q1-Q5). Cox regression was applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for DQIs and breast cancer risk adjusted for known risk factors. The respective HRs for Q5 vs. Q1 were: 1.06 (95% CI, 0.98-1.14) for HEI-2015, 0.96 (95% CI, 0.90-1.04) for AHEI-2010, 1.01 (95% CI, 0.94-1.09) for aMED, and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.88-1.02) for DASH (ptrend>0.05 for all). However, overweight and obesity were significantly associated with breast cancer incidence. Despite the null association for DQIs, diet quality may lower breast cancer risk through its positive influence on weight status.

Diet quality and risk of frailty among older women in the Nurses’ Health Study

The frailty syndrome is associated with higher risk of disability and death after accounting for multimorbidity. Therefore, the determinants of frailty need to be identified to ensure older adults live not only longer but also healthier lives. However, the effect of diet quality on frailty is mostly unknown. We aimed to evaluate the alternate Mediterranean diet (AMED), the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and the alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) in association with frailty risk among older women. We analyzed data from 71,941 women aged ≥60 y participating in the Nurses' Health Study. The AMED, DASH, and AHEI-2010 were computed from validated FFQs in 1990 and repeated every 4 y until 2010. Frailty was defined as having ≥3 of the following 5 criteria from the FRAIL scale: fatigue, reduced resistance, reduced aerobic capacity, having ≥5 illnesses, and weight loss ≥5%. The occurrence of frailty was assessed every 4 y. During follow-up we identified 11,564 incident cases of frailty. After adjusting for potential confounders, the RRs (95% CIs) of frailty per 1-SD increase in the AMED, DASH, and AHEI-2010 scores were 0.87 (0.85, 0.90), 0.93 (0.91, 0.95), and 0.90 (0.88, 0.92), respectively. All diet quality scores were associated with lower risk of the individual frailty criteria fatigue, reduced resistance, reduced aerobic capacity, and weight loss. Lower consumption of red and processed meat, a lower sodium intake, a higher ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fat, vegetables, and moderate alcohol intake were components of the diet quality scores independently associated with lower risk of frailty. Adherence to a healthy diet, as defined by the AMED, DASH, and AHEI-2010 scores, was associated with reduced risk of frailty in older women.

Adherence to a Mediterranean-style eating pattern and risk of diabetes in a U.S. prospective cohort study

BackgroundA Mediterranean-style eating pattern is consistently associated with a decreased diabetes risk in Mediterranean and European populations. However, results in U.S. populations are inconsistent. The objective of this study was to assess whether a Mediterranean-style eating pattern would be associated with diabetes risk in a large, nationally representative U.S. cohort of black and white men and women.MethodsParticipants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study prospective cohort without diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer at baseline (visit 1, 1987–1989; n = 11,991) were included (mean age 54 years, 56% female, 75% white). Alternate Mediterranean Diet scores (aMed) were calculated using the mean dietary intake self-reported at visit 1 and visit 3 (1993–1995) or visit 1 only for participants censored before visit 3. Participants were followed from visit 1 through 31 December 2016 for incident diabetes. We used Cox regression models to characterize associations of aMed (quintiles as well as per 1-point higher) with incident diabetes adjusted for energy intake, age, sex, race and study center, and education (Model 1) for all participants then stratified by race and body mass index (BMI). Model 2 included potential mediating behavioral and clinical measures associated with diabetes. Results are presented as hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsOver a median follow-up of 22 years, there were 4024 incident cases of diabetes. Higher aMed scores were associated with lower diabetes risk [Model 1: 0.83 (0.73–0.94) for Q5 vs Q1 (p-trend < 0.001) and 0.96 (0.95–0.98) for 1-point higher]. Associations were stronger for black vs white participants (interaction p < 0.001) and weaker for obese vs normal BMI (interaction p < 0.01). Associations were attenuated but statistically significant in Model 2.ConclusionsAn eating pattern high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fish, and moderate in alcohol was associated with a lower risk of diabetes in a community-based U.S. population.

Healthy Lifestyle Is Associated With Reduced Mortality in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

It is not clear whether a healthy lifestyle affects mortality of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). We collected data form the Nurses' Health Study (1986-2014), Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2015), and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2014), which assess lifestyles with serial questionnaires. We estimated joint and individual associations between 5 healthy lifestyle factors after IBD diagnosis (never smoking, body mass index 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, vigorous physical activity in the highest 50% with non-zero value, alternate Mediterranean diet score ≥4, and light drinking [0.1-5.0 g/d]) and mortality using Cox proportional hazards models. We documented 83 deaths in 363 patients with CD during 4741 person-years and 80 deaths in 465 patients with UC during 6061 person-years. The median age of IBD diagnosis was 55 y. Compared to patients with IBD with no healthy lifestyle factors, patients with IBD with 3-5 healthy lifestyle factors had a significant reduction in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16-0.52; Ptrend < .0001). This reduction was significant in patients with CD (Ptrend= .003) as well as in patients with UC (Ptrend= .0003). Individual associations were more than 25 pack-years (HR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.24-2.97; Ptrend < .0001), physical activity (HR according to quintiles, 0.55-0.31; Ptrend= .001), Mediterranean diet (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.49-0.98), and alcohol consumption (HR0.1-5 g/d 0.61; 95% CI, 0.39-0.95 vs HR>15 g/d 1.84; 95% CI, 1.02-3.32). The findings did not change when we adjusted for family history of IBD, immunomodulator use, and IBD-related surgery. In an analysis of data from 3 large cohort studies, we associated adherence to a healthy lifestyle with reduced mortality in patients with CD or UC.

Abstract 37: Healthy Eating Patterns and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Results From Three Large Prospective Cohort Studies

Introduction: The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) recommend three major healthy dietary patterns: the Healthy US-Style Eating Pattern, the Healthy Mediterranean-Style Eating Pattern, and the Healthy Vegetarian Eating Pattern, for all Americans with diverse cultural and personal food traditions. However, few studies have systematically examined the potential differences in associations of adherence to these recommended dietary patterns with long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that all three DGA-recommended dietary patterns were associated with lower risk of CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke. Method: We evaluated data on 74 661 women in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), 90 864 women in NHS II, and 41 837 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), who had repeated dietary data and had no history of type 2 diabetes, CVD, or cancer at baseline. Using the food and nutrient components, we calculated the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015, Alternate Mediterranean Diet score (AMED), Healthful Plant-based Diet Index (HPDI), to measure adherence to the Healthy US-Style Eating Pattern, Healthy Mediterranean-Style Eating Pattern, and Healthy Vegetarian Eating Pattern, respectively. Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to assess the associations of healthy eating index with CVD risk. Results: We documented 9 262 incident CVD cases (6 628 CHD and 2 701 stroke) during 1 976 026 person years of follow-up in the NHS, 1 916 CVD cases (1 267 CHD and 660 stroke) during 2 173 162 person years of follow-up in NHS II, and 10 203 CVD cases (8 750 CHD and 1 775 stroke) during 873 053 person years of follow-up in HPFS. When comparing the highest to the lowest quintiles, the pooled HRs (95% CIs) of CVD were 0.80 (0.77 to 0.84) for HEI-2015, 0.83 (0.79 to 0.87) for AMED, and 0.85 (0.81 to 0.89) for HPDI (all P for trend &lt;0.001). In addition, a 25-percentile increase in healthy eating scores was associated with 10% to 22% lower risk of CVD (pooled HR: HEI-2015, 0.78 [0.75 to 0.82]; AMED, 0.90 [0.88 to 0.92]; HPDI, 0.84 [0.81 to 0.88]). For CHD, the pooled HRs (95% CIs) per 20-percentile increase were 0.76 (0.73 to 0.80) for HEI-2015, 0.90 (0.87 to 0.92) for AMED, and 0.83 (0.79 to 0.87) for HPDI. For stroke, the pooled HRs (95% CIs) per 20-percentile increase were 0.86 (0.78 to 0.94) for HEI-2015, 0.90 (0.85 to 0.95) for AMED, and 0.90 (0.83 to 0.98) for HPDI. The inverse associations between healthy eating index and CVD risk persisted in analyses stratified by potential risk factors. Conclusions: In three large prospective cohorts with up to 32 years of follow-up, higher adherence to various healthy eating patterns was associated with lower risk of CVD, CHD, and stroke. Our findings support the DGA recommendations for multiple healthy eating patterns.

Diet Quality Association with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Cirrhosis Status: The Multiethnic Cohort.

ABSTRACTBackgroundEpidemiological data on the role of overall dietary patterns in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are limited, especially from population-based prospective studies.ObjectivesWe investigated the associations between dietary patterns assessed by predefined diet quality indexes (DQIs) and NAFLD risk by cirrhosis status in African Americans, Japanese Americans, Latinos, Native Hawaiians, and whites from the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC).MethodsA nested case-control analysis was conducted within the MEC. NAFLD cases were identified by linkage to 1999–2016 Medicare claims. Four DQIs—Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015, Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010, alternate Mediterranean diet score, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score—were calculated from a validated FFQ administered at baseline. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the ORs and 95% CIs with adjustment for multiple covariates.ResultsAnalyses included 2959 NAFLD cases (509 with cirrhosis; 2450 without cirrhosis) and 29,292 matched controls. Higher scores for HEI-2015 (i.e., highest compared with lowest quintile OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.94; P for trend = 0.002) and DASH (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.89; P for trend < 0.001), reflecting favorable adherence to a healthful diet, were inversely associated with NAFLD risk. Whereas there were no differences by sex or race/ethnicity, the inverse association was stronger for NAFLD with cirrhosis than for NAFLD without cirrhosis (P for heterogeneity = 0.03 for HEI-2015 and 0.05 for DASH).ConclusionsHigher HEI-2015 and DASH scores were inversely associated with NAFLD risk in this ethnically diverse population. The findings suggest that having better diet quality may reduce NAFLD risk with more benefit to NAFLD with cirrhosis.

Spanish People with Type 2 Diabetes Show an Improved Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet.

The aim of this study was to assess the dietary pattern (i.e., Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and healthy eating) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared with those without diabetes. In addition, we explored clinical factors associated with the dietary pattern. This cross-sectional study was performed with a sample of 476 participants (238 with T2D and 238 participants without diabetes, matched for age and sex). The alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) score and the alternate Healthy Eating Index (aHEI) were calculated. Statistical analysis included comparison between groups and multivariable models. Participants with T2D showed higher aMED and aHEI scores (mean (SD): 4.3 (1.5) and 43.9 (6.5), respectively) in comparison with the control group (3.5 (1.8) and 39.4 (7.4), respectively; p < 0.001). In addition, a higher proportion of participants with T2D in higher tertiles of aMED (21.8%) and aHEI (39.9%) was observed compared with participants without diabetes (11.3% for the aMED, and 19.3% for the aHEI; p < 0.001). The adjusted multivariable analysis revealed that T2D (p < 0.001), increasing age (p = 0.006 and p = 0.030, respectively), and physical activity (p = 0.009) were positively associated with higher aMED and aHEI scores. Dyslipidemia and female gender were positively associated with aMED and aHEI (p = 0.031 and p < 0.001, respectively). The specific multivariable analysis for the group with T2D yielded a positive association of age (p < 0.001) and dyslipidemia (p = 0.021) with aMED. Regarding the aHEI, only female gender was positively related with this score in diabetes participants (p = 0.025). Participants with T2D showed a higher adherence to the MedDiet and a healthier eating pattern.

Mediterranean diet components are linked to greater endothelial function and lower inflammation in a pilot study of ethnically diverse women

The Mediterranean Diet, characterized by higher intakes of plant foods including plant proteins, monounsaturated fat, fish, and lower consumption of animal products and saturated fat, has long been associated with reduced cardiovascular risk, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations have not been fully elucidated. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate associations of an Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score, reflective of adherence to this diet pattern and adapted for US populations, and its components, with markers of endothelial inflammation directly measured in endothelial cells harvested from a diverse sample of women (n = 25, mean ± SD age 33 ± 10.5y, 68% racial/ethnic minorities). Cardiovascular risk markers including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)—a marker of inflammation, as well as oxidative stress and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene expression-markers of endothelial function, were evaluated in harvested endothelial cells. We hypothesized that the Mediterranean diet pattern would be associated with lower inflammation and oxidative stress and higher eNOS expression in endothelial cells. Results showed that lower oxidative stress was associated with higher plant-based protein (Exp(β) = 0.96; P = .007), overall protein (Exp(β) = 0.99; P = .007), and red and processed meat intake (Exp(β) = 0.93; P = .012). Lower NF-κB was associated with higher legume (Exp(β) = 0.79; P = .045) intake, and higher eNOS was associated with higher red and processed meat intake (Exp(β) = 1.13; P = .005). Our findings suggest potential novel mechanisms through which certain Mediterranean dietary components may influence pre-clinical vascular alterations that may be associated with cardiovascular risk through lower endothelial oxidative stress, lower inflammation, and greater endothelial functioning. These findings warrant confirmation, prospectively in a larger sample.

The Mediterranean Diet is Associated with an Improved Quality of Life in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

This study aimed to assess the potential association between dietary patterns (i.e., the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and healthy eating) and patient-reported quality of life (QoL) and treatment satisfaction (TS) in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A food frequency questionnaire, the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL-19), and the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire-status version (DTSQ-s) were administered via personal interviews to 258 participants with T1D. Multivariable analysis showed that a moderate or high adherence to the MedDiet was associated with greater diabetes-specific QoL (β = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.03; 0.61; p = 0.029). None of the dietary quality indexes (i.e., the alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED) and the alternate Healthy Eating Index (aHEI)) were associated with the overall TS. However, the aHEI was positively associated with the specific items of TS “convenience” and “flexibility” (β = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.00; 0.06; p = 0.042 and β = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.01; 0.06; p = 0.011, respectively). On the other hand, the aHEI was negatively associated with the dimension “recommend to others” (β = −0.5, 95% CI = −0.99; −0.02; p = 0.042). In conclusion, a moderate and high adherence to the MedDiet was associated with greater QoL. Although neither aMED nor aHEI were associated with the overall TS, some specific items were positively (i.e., “convenience”, “flexibility”) or negatively (“recommend to others”) related to the aHEI. Further research is needed to assess how to improve medical nutrition therapy and its impact on patient-reported outcomes in people with T1D.

Dietary Intakes of Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B-6, and Vitamin B-12 and Ovarian Cycle Function among Premenopausal Women

BackgroundRiboflavin, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12 are key players in one-carbon metabolism as enzymatic cofactors, and deficiency of these nutrients may influence reproductive outcomes possibly through affecting reproductive hormones. ObjectiveThe goal was to investigate associations between dietary intakes of riboflavin, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12, and menstrual function among premenopausal women. DesignThis was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study conducted at the University at Buffalo during 2005 to 2007. Participants/settingParticipants were 259 healthy, regularly menstruating women (aged 18 to 44 years) with self-reported menstrual cycles between 21 and 35 days, who were not trying to conceive, and who had not used hormonal contraception during the past 3 months. Main outcome measuresIntakes of B vitamins were assessed via 24-hour dietary recalls four times per menstrual cycle for two cycles. Serum reproductive hormones and plasma homocysteine were measured eight and three times, respectively, per cycle for two cycles. Anovulatory cycles were determined by progesterone concentrations ≤5 ng/mL (15.9 nmol/L) and no observed serum luteinizing hormone peak during the mid or late luteal phase visit. Statistical analysisWeighted linear mixed regressions were used to evaluate associations between cycle-averaged B vitamin intakes and hormones and homocysteine, and generalized linear regressions for associations with anovulation. Models were adjusted for age, race, body mass index, physical activity, alternate Mediterranean diet score, intakes of total energy, protein, fiber, and folate, and percentage of energy intake from fat. ResultsHigher intakes of riboflavin (per 0.1 mg increase in intake) were inversely correlated with estradiol (−0.87%, 95% CI −1.67 to −0.06) and homocysteine levels (−0.61%, 95% CI −1.10 to −0.12). Higher vitamin B-6 intakes were suggestive of higher follicle-stimulating hormone, although the results were not statistically significant (0.63% difference, 95% CI −0.03 to 1.29, per 0.1 mg increase in intake; P=0.06). Small increases in testosterone and decreases in homocysteine were found with vitamin B-12 intake. No associations were observed between intake of B vitamins and a risk of sporadic anovulation. ConclusionsHigher intakes of riboflavin were associated with a small decrease in serum estradiol among healthy, regularly menstruating women. Higher intakes of riboflavin and vitamin B-12 were associated with lower plasma homocysteine concentrations. Overall, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12 that are one-carbon nutrients do not appear to influence the ovarian cycle among premenopausal women.

Avaliação da qualidade da dieta segundo o escore da dieta mediterrânea alternativo em indivíduos com síndrome metabólica

Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade da dieta segundo o escore da dieta mediterrânea alternativo (EDM-A) em indivíduos com síndrome metabólica.Materiais e Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado a partir da análise de dados coletados no Grupo de Pesquisa Modificação de Estilo de Vida e Risco Cardiovascular (MERC). Foram utilizados os registros alimentares de dois dias e o recordatório alimentar de 24h para avaliar o consumo. Para avaliar a qualidade da dieta dos participantes foi utilizado o EDM-A. Após a classificação, os dados foram armazenados em banco de dados Excel e analisados por meio de estatística descritiva (frequência, média e desvio padrão da média).Resultados: Foi analisada a qualidade da dieta de 54 indivíduos. A classificação indicando baixa qualidade da dieta segundo o EDM-A foi a mais prevalente (74,07%), seguida da classificação baixa-moderada (19,10%) e da moderada alta (5,55%). As classificações alta e muito alta foram as menos atingidas 1,23% e 0%, respectivamente.Conclusão: A população estudada apresentou baixa qualidade da dieta segundo o EDM-A. Considerando essa afirmação são necessárias ações de promoção à saúde e programas que incentivem a adesão a uma dieta saudável, já que esta pode contribuir substancialmente para redução do risco cardiovascular em indivíduos com diagnóstico de síndrome metabólica.

Long-Term Trajectories of Body Weight, Diet, and Physical Activity From Midlife Through Late Life and Subsequent Cognitive Decline in Women.

Healthy lifestyles are promising targets for prevention of cognitive aging, yet the optimal time windows for interventions remain unclear. We selected a case-control sample nested within the Nurses' Health Study (starting year 1976, mean age=51 years), including 14,956 women aged ≥70 years who were free of both stroke and cognitive impairment at enrollment in a cognitive substudy (1995-2001). Cases (n=1,496) were women with the 10% worst slopes of cognitive decline, and controls (n=7,478) were those with slopes better than the median. We compared the trajectories of body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2), alternate Mediterranean diet (A-MeDi) score, and physical activity between groups, from midlife through 1 year preceding the cognitive substudy. In midlife, cases had higher body mass index than controls (mean difference (MD)=0.59 units, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39, 0.80), lower physical activity (MD=-1.41 metabolic equivalent of task-hours/week, 95% CI: -2.07, -0.71), and worse A-MeDi scores (MD=-0.16 points, 95% CI: -0.26, -0.06). From midlife through later life, compared with controls, cases had consistently lower A-MeDi scores but a deceleration of weight gain and a faster decrease in physical activity. In conclusion, maintaining a healthy lifestyle since midlife may help reduce cognitive decline in aging. At older ages, both deceleration of weight gain and a decrease in physical activity may reflect early signs of cognitive impairment.

Mediterranean diet adherence and risk of colorectal cancer: the prospective Netherlands Cohort Study

Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence has been associated with a large variety of health benefits. However, prospective studies investigating the relation between MD adherence and colorectal cancer risk had inconsistent results. In this analysis of the Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS), we evaluated sex- and subsite-specific associations of MD adherence with colorectal cancer risk. In 1986, 120,852 subjects filled out the NLCS baseline questionnaire, which incorporated a 150-item food frequency questionnaire. MD adherence was estimated through alternate Mediterranean diet scores including and excluding alcohol (aMED and aMEDr, respectively). Using 20.3 year follow-up data, 1993 male and 1574 female colorectal cancer cases could be included in multivariable case-cohort analyses. aMEDr was not significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk, regardless of sex. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) per two-point increment were 1.04 (0.95–1.13) for men and 0.97 (0.88–1.07) for women. Additionally, there was no evidence of an inverse association with any of the colorectal cancer subsites (colon, proximal colon, distal colon, and rectum). In women, the association between aMEDr and colorectal cancer risk was significantly modified by smoking status (Pinteraction = 0.015). Comparable results were obtained for the original aMED including alcohol. In conclusion, higher MD adherence was not associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer or anatomical subsites in the context of a Dutch population.