A Mediterranean Diet May Be Protective in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy
The Mediterranean diet is recognized as one of the healthiest available dietary patterns. This perception results from its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and, also, on hypertension, diabetes, and cancer compared with other diets. Its impact on the course of diabetes is assessed in t...
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/13/11145 |
| _version_ | 1797591478272262144 |
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| author | Anna Bryl Małgorzata Mrugacz Mariusz Falkowski Katarzyna Zorena |
| author_facet | Anna Bryl Małgorzata Mrugacz Mariusz Falkowski Katarzyna Zorena |
| author_sort | Anna Bryl |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Mediterranean diet is recognized as one of the healthiest available dietary patterns. This perception results from its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and, also, on hypertension, diabetes, and cancer compared with other diets. Its impact on the course of diabetes is assessed in the available scientific literature; however, little information is available about its impact on diabetic retinopathy. The MD is characterized mainly by the consumption of fish, seafood, foods of plant origin, and fresh fruit and vegetables. It is also recommended to consume legumes, which are a source of folic acid, magnesium, iron, and dietary fiber. High consumption of nuts and unrefined grains is also recommended in the MD. Marine fish provide polyunsaturated acids from the omega-3 group. Olive oil plays a very important role, especially olive oil obtained from mechanical pressing. Additionally, olive oil contains vitamins E, K, and polyphenols. Polyphenols, which are present in a diverse range of vegetables, fruits, and seeds, have the ability to decrease oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Resveratrol is naturally found in grape skins and seeds, as well as in peanuts and berries, and is a constituent of red wine. Resveratrol can inhibit increased vascular leakage and loss of pericytes and regulate the level of VEGF protein in the retina, thus inhibiting the development of DR. Consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish, and olive oil may be correlated with a lower risk of diabetic retinopathy. This paper presents the definition of the Mediterranean diet and its influence on the course of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:38:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4510fb726aac42e6af791f7cbeb18bb9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:38:00Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-4510fb726aac42e6af791f7cbeb18bb92023-11-18T16:48:46ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672023-07-0124131114510.3390/ijms241311145A Mediterranean Diet May Be Protective in the Development of Diabetic RetinopathyAnna Bryl0Małgorzata Mrugacz1Mariusz Falkowski2Katarzyna Zorena3Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, PolandDepartment of Ophthalmology and Eye Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, PolandPhD Studies, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, PolandDepartment of Immunobiology and Environmental Microbiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, PolandThe Mediterranean diet is recognized as one of the healthiest available dietary patterns. This perception results from its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and, also, on hypertension, diabetes, and cancer compared with other diets. Its impact on the course of diabetes is assessed in the available scientific literature; however, little information is available about its impact on diabetic retinopathy. The MD is characterized mainly by the consumption of fish, seafood, foods of plant origin, and fresh fruit and vegetables. It is also recommended to consume legumes, which are a source of folic acid, magnesium, iron, and dietary fiber. High consumption of nuts and unrefined grains is also recommended in the MD. Marine fish provide polyunsaturated acids from the omega-3 group. Olive oil plays a very important role, especially olive oil obtained from mechanical pressing. Additionally, olive oil contains vitamins E, K, and polyphenols. Polyphenols, which are present in a diverse range of vegetables, fruits, and seeds, have the ability to decrease oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Resveratrol is naturally found in grape skins and seeds, as well as in peanuts and berries, and is a constituent of red wine. Resveratrol can inhibit increased vascular leakage and loss of pericytes and regulate the level of VEGF protein in the retina, thus inhibiting the development of DR. Consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish, and olive oil may be correlated with a lower risk of diabetic retinopathy. This paper presents the definition of the Mediterranean diet and its influence on the course of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/13/11145Mediterranean dietdiabetesdiabetes preventionretinadiabetic retinopathy |
| spellingShingle | Anna Bryl Małgorzata Mrugacz Mariusz Falkowski Katarzyna Zorena A Mediterranean Diet May Be Protective in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy International Journal of Molecular Sciences Mediterranean diet diabetes diabetes prevention retina diabetic retinopathy |
| title | A Mediterranean Diet May Be Protective in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy |
| title_full | A Mediterranean Diet May Be Protective in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy |
| title_fullStr | A Mediterranean Diet May Be Protective in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Mediterranean Diet May Be Protective in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy |
| title_short | A Mediterranean Diet May Be Protective in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy |
| title_sort | mediterranean diet may be protective in the development of diabetic retinopathy |
| topic | Mediterranean diet diabetes diabetes prevention retina diabetic retinopathy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/13/11145 |
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