A recent Nutrients journal study evaluated how the mix of Mediterranean weight loss plan (MedDiet) complement and dairy foods affected the gut microbiome in Australians at a high risk of heart problems (CVD).

Study: Interactions between Mediterranean Weight loss plan Supplemented with Dairy Foods and the Gut Microbiota Influence Cardiovascular Health in an Australian Population. Image Credit: DiViArt / Shutterstock

Background

Weight loss plan plays a necessary role in regulating immunity and maintaining metabolic health. Improper weight loss plan is commonly linked to the event of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and kind 2 diabetes. Long-term adherence to a selected dietary pattern aids in shaping the intestinal commensal microbiota. The gut microbes produce several bioactive compounds by metabolizing dietary components, influencing host metabolic and immune homeostasis. 

Gut microbes produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), equivalent to acetate, butyrate, and propionate, through the fermentation of non-digestible fiber. These SCFAs are the first sources of energy for colonic tissues to modulate inflammatory pathways, maintain gastrointestinal tissue integrity, and inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Alteration of specific gut bacteria lowers triglyceride levels, reduces systemic inflammatory markers (e.g., C-reactive protein), and improves liver function. 

All gut microbial products aren’t helpful to humans. For example, microbial metabolism of L-carnitine and choline ends in the production of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is a metabolite related to the manifestation of atherosclerosis and inflammation. Each L-carnitine and choline are commonly present in nuts, dairy, meat, fish, and eggs.

MedDiet comprises fruits, vegetables, nuts, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), legumes, and cereals. This weight loss plan type recommends the consumption of moderate amounts of fish, dairy foods, eggs, poultry, and red wine. Moreover, MedDiet is related to low consumption of beef, processed food, and discretionary foods (e.g., cakes and sweets). 

An abundance of bioactive nutrients, equivalent to fiber, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and monounsaturated fats, has been related to MedDiet, which promotes helpful effects through the gut microbiota. Long-term adherence to the MedDiet significantly improves obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. 

It have to be noted that a typical MedDiet provides calcium much below the Australian really useful every day intake (RDI). Calcium plays a vital role within the formation and maintenance of bone, vascular dilation and contraction, cell differentiation, neuronal activity, and cell signaling for muscle function. Insufficient calcium intake results in reduced bone strength and enhances pregnancy complications. It also enhances the chance of CVDs. The MedDiet supplemented with dairy products, equivalent to milk, yogurt, and cheese, would fulfill Australian calcium intake recommendations. It is important that a MedDiet fulfills all dietary requirements before advice.

Concerning the Study

The present randomized controlled trial (RCT) followed a 2 × 2 cross-over design to match the advantages of MedDiet supplemented with dairy food (MedDairy) and low-fat (LFD) weight loss plan (control) in Australians at high risk of CVD. 

This study recruited adults between the ages of 45 and 75 years. All participants had high systolic blood pressure (SBP) but weren’t under any medication. Individuals who consumed medicinal levels of calcium or omega-3 supplements every day were excluded.

Participants were randomly assigned to any certainly one of the groups, i.e., MedDairy (Group 1) or LFD (Group 2), and dietary interventions continued for 8 weeks, separated by an 8-week washout phase where participants followed their habitual weight loss plan. Complete fecal and clinical samples were collected at baseline and at 8 weeks to evaluate each groups.

Study Findings

At baseline, there have been no significant differences between the study groups. Group 1 contained 18 participants, and group 2 contained 16 participants. All participants who weren’t following MedDiet at baseline exhibited increased MedDiet adherence through the MedDairy intervention. Together with the MedDiet, participants received 3 to 4 servings of any certainly one of the dairy products, equivalent to low-fat Greek yogurt, low-fat milk, cheese (hard, soft, semi-soft), and tzatziki dip.

Fecal microbiota evaluation indicated no significant difference in the general structure and composition of the fecal microbiota between the 2 study groups. Nonetheless, a modest decrease in microbial diversity was observed within the LFD group. It have to be noted that the MedDairy weight loss plan didn’t lead to a big change within the gut microbiota but considerably altered the abundance of chosen bacterial taxa, equivalent to Butyricicoccus, Lachnospiraceae, and Streptococcus, and a discount in Colinsella and Veillonella.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study highlighted that 8 weeks of a Mediterranean weight loss plan supplemented with dairy foods resulted in changes within the relative abundance of certain bacterial taxa. MedDairy weight loss plan enhanced Butyricicoccus , which has a positive effect on systolic blood pressure. Due to this fact, adherence to the MedDairy weight loss plan could reduce CVD risks.