Monthly Archives: January 2025

Olive, Grape, Garlic, Rosemary, and Saffron: Their Benefits in Combating Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases remain the foremost cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Plant extracts laden with bioactive substances have substantially contributed to pharmaceutical development, presenting therapeutic prospects for various cardiovascular conditions. Despite their potential, the application of these extracts faces restrictions due to potential side effects, interactions with other drugs, and a deficiency of robust scientific data from high-quality preclinical and clinical research.

In the academic year of 2023/24, biologist Mateu Anguera Tejedor made a notable advancement in this arena with his final year project for a Biology degree at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), under the guidance of René Delgado, who was a postdoctoral researcher at the UAB’s Institute of Neuroscience (INc-UAB) and is now a lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences at the University of Barcelona. His research was later encapsulated in a scientific paper published in the journal Food Bioscience, which detailed the action mechanisms and the scientific evidence supporting the use of bioactive compounds extracted from key Mediterranean flora integral to the Mediterranean diet.

The paper discusses six plants specifically: garlic (Allium sativum), which contains compounds such as diallyl trisulfide and allicin; the hawthorn shrub (Crataegus monogyna), noted for its quercetin and chlorogenic acid; saffron (Crocus sativus) with crocin and safranal; olive (Olea europaea), which includes oleic acid and hydroxytyrosol; rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), rich in rosmarinic and carnosic acids; and the grapevine (Vitis vinifera), known for resveratrol. The review highlights their significant pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory effects, and their role in regulating lipid metabolism, which is crucial in managing atherosclerosis and hypertension. These compounds could be key in developing treatments to reduce the incidence of heart attacks and strokes.

Furthermore, the study acts as a guide for future investigations by pinpointing existing knowledge gaps and proposing recommendations for the design of future preclinical and clinical studies. It emphasises the importance of exploring the long-term safety of these bioactive compounds, examining their synergistic effects within the Mediterranean diet, and standardising protocols in clinical trials. This could enhance the scientific understanding of these traditional remedies and foster their integration as active ingredients in new phytomedicines.

The research team, led by Francesc Jiménez Altayó, professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology at the UAB and researcher at the Centre for Biomedical Research in Cardiovascular Diseases Network (CIBERCV) and the UAB Institute of Neuroscience (INc-UAB), also notes the potential influence of combined extract ingestion on therapeutic outcomes. They point out the “matrix effect,” where dietary components may alter the effectiveness of each extract, possibly enhancing or reducing their benefits. Understanding these interactions is critical for optimising the therapeutic application of plant extracts in dietary contexts.

The team warns that while natural extracts show promise, the label “natural” does not automatically equate to safety. This highlights the urgent need for thorough pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and clinical studies to establish their efficacy, safety, and efficiency compared to conventional medications. The study underscores an often-overlooked point: robust evidence on the impact of natural extracts on human health is scant, prompting a cautious approach towards their use in medicine.

This comprehensive research, contributed to by esteemed academics from Cuban and Chilean institutions renowned in the pharmacology of natural products, was conducted under the auspices of the María Zambrano programme during the 2022/23 academic year. This collaboration reflects the international effort in researching natural remedies and marks a significant step towards integrating traditional knowledge and modern medicine to combat cardiovascular ailments effectively.

More information: Mateu Anguera-Tejedor et al, Exploring the therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds from selected plant extracts of Mediterranean diet constituents for cardiovascular diseases: A review of mechanisms of action, clinical evidence, and adverse effects, Food Bioscience. DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2024.105487

Journal information: Food Bioscience Provided by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

Enabling Independence for Senior Citizens with Home-Care Robots

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Advancements in medical science have led to prolonged human life spans. It is predicted that by 2030, one out of every six people worldwide will be over 60. This surge in the elderly population will increase the need for care, which might not be sufficiently met by family members or professional caregivers, especially given the notable shortage of nursing staff in many developed nations. This situation highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to support the growing demands of elder care.

Robotic technologies offer a promising solution to bridge the care gap, enabling older adults to live independently in their homes for longer. However, adopting assistive home-care robots faces hurdles, including social acceptance in ageing societies and technical challenges in developing robots tailored to diverse needs that vary across cultural, ethical, and financial contexts.

In their latest research, scholars from Chiba University in Japan have explored factors influencing the acceptance and use of home-care robots. The study, published in Scientific Reports on 12 November 2024, was led by Professor Sayuri Suwa and included contributions from an international team comprising Dr Hiroo Ide from the Institute for Future Initiatives at the University of Tokyo, Dr Yumi Akuta from the Division of Nursing at Tokyo Healthcare University, Dr Naonori Kodate from UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, Dr Jaakko Hallila from Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, and Dr. Wenwei Yu from the Center for Frontier Medical Engineering at Chiba University.

The research involved a detailed survey among care recipients and caregivers in Japan, Ireland, and Finland. The survey assessed aspects such as familiarity with robots, essential features of home-care robots, expected functionalities, and ethically acceptable applications. Analysis of responses from 525 Japanese, 163 Irish, and 170 Finnish participants helped identify both common and unique factors influencing their willingness to use home-care robots.
The findings indicated that enthusiasm for participating in robot research and development, interest in robot-related news, and a positive view of robots were universal factors across the three countries. Distinctively, the Japanese valued convenience, the Irish prioritised emergency notifications to family and support personnel, and the Finns emphasised design—a reflection of Finland’s globally recognised design ethos.

This study also underscores how historical, cultural, and demographic factors shape the development and implementation of robotic solutions in different countries. For instance, Japan is advancing its robot development through collaborative efforts from the government, industry, and academia. In contrast, Ireland is gradually acknowledging the role of robots in elderly care, integrating artificial intelligence and robotics into health and social services.

Professor Suwa’s insights from the study stress the importance of including potential users—older adults and caregivers—in the robot design process. Such collaborative development can enhance product acceptance and usability, leading to broader adoption of home-care robots and improved quality of life for older adults.

In conclusion, home-care robots can make the concept of ‘ageing in place’ a widespread reality by focusing on innovation, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity. This approach addresses the immediate needs of the ageing population and paves the way for future technological integrations in personal and healthcare environments.

More information: Hiroo Ide et al, A comparative study to elucidate factors explaining willingness to use home-care robots in Japan, Ireland, and Finland, Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-79414-y

Journal information: Scientific Reports Provided by Chiba University

The Worldwide Gap Between Longevity and Wellness

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Across the world, people are experiencing longer lifespans but not necessarily enjoying better health, as highlighted by research from the Mayo Clinic. A comprehensive study involving 183 World Health Organization (WHO) member nations reveals that these extra years are increasingly burdened with illness. The research, led by Andre Terzic, M.D., Ph.D., and Armin Garmany, uncovers a significant disparity between the duration of life and the quality of health, with their findings published in JAMA Network Open.

Dr Terzic, the senior researcher, points out that while people live longer, these additional years are not accompanied by a corresponding increase in healthy, disease-free life. “The data clearly illustrate that an increase in healthy years has not parallelled the extension in life expectancy. Ageing is becoming synonymous with an extended period of living with diseases,” he explains. This issue raises concerns about the declining quality of life with age and emphasizes the urgent need for healthcare policies to address the increasing divergence between lifespan and health span.

Dr. Terzic holds prestigious positions within the Mayo Clinic, including the Marriott Family Director of Comprehensive Cardiac Regenerative Medicine at the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics and the Marriott Family Professor of Cardiovascular Research.
The discrepancy between life expectancy and healthy years lived is most pronounced in the United States. According to WHO data, from 2000 to 2019, life expectancy for women rose from 79.2 to 80.7 years and men from 74.1 to 76.3 years. However, the duration of life spent in good health has not seen a similar improvement. By 2019, the average global gap between lifespan and health span reached 9.6 years, marking a 13% increase since the start of the millennium.

Particularly in the U.S., this gap is the largest globally, with Americans spending an average of 12.4 years of their life dealing with disability and chronic illness, up from 10.9 years in 2000. This increase coincides with America reporting the highest incidence of chronic diseases. Mental health issues, substance abuse, and musculoskeletal disorders are among the primary health burdens.

The study also highlights a significant gender disparity in health outcomes worldwide. Women face a 2.4-year more significant disparity between lifespan and health span compared to men, with neurological, musculoskeletal, and urinary-genital tract disorders contributing to extended periods of ill health among women.

Armin Garmany, the study’s lead author and a dual M.D./Ph.D. candidate at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, advocates for a shift towards proactive, wellness-focused healthcare systems. “This growing gap requires us to rethink our healthcare approaches, focusing on preventive measures and tailoring interventions to the specific health challenges of different regions and populations,” he asserts. This strategic shift is vital for narrowing the global health lifespan gap and improving overall health outcomes.

More information: Armin Garmany et al, Global Healthspan-Lifespan Gaps Among 183 World Health Organization Member States, JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.50241

Journal information: JAMA Network Open Provided by Mayo Clinic

Eating a Healthy Breakfast Lowers Cardiovascular Risk

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Eating a well-balanced breakfast, accounting for roughly a quarter of one’s daily caloric intake, is crucial for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, as evidenced by research from the Hospital del Mar Research Institute published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging. This study, part of the PREDIMED-Plus project—a randomised clinical trial that investigates the effects of combining a Mediterranean diet with physical activity against just dietary advice—monitored the health of 383 participants, focusing on how breakfast affects cardiovascular risk factors. Unlike previous research, this study measured the total energy consumed at breakfast and examined the nutritional quality of these first meals of the day.

The research introduced two pivotal aspects. First, it considered the proportion of daily energy intake consumed at breakfast, identifying 20-30% as an optimal range and comparing it with other quantities. Second, it evaluated the impact of a high-quality breakfast that effectively balances proteins, fats, fibres, and other nutrients. The findings demonstrated that a sufficient caloric intake at breakfast, when comprised of high-quality foods, significantly contributed to reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

The significance of a good breakfast extends to obesity management, as highlighted by the three-year follow-up results of the study’s participants, who were between 55 and 75 years old and categorised as overweight or obese. Several cardiovascular risk factors were assessed, including body weight, waist circumference (an indicator of abdominal obesity), cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and diabetes markers. The results were telling: those who consumed between 20-30% of their daily caloric intake for breakfast not only managed their body weight more effectively but also recorded a 2-3.5% reduction in body mass index and a 2-4% reduction in waist circumference by the study’s end. Moreover, these participants enjoyed significantly reduced triglyceride levels (9-18%) and increased HDL cholesterol levels (4-8.5%).

Furthermore, the study found that not just the quantity but also the quality of breakfast profoundly affects health. Participants who ate high-quality breakfasts also showed beneficial changes, including a 1.5% reduction in waist circumference, a 4% decrease in triglyceride levels, and a 3% increase in HDL cholesterol. As defined by the study, a high-quality breakfast includes appropriate amounts of protein, valuable fats, fibre, and essential minerals like potassium and iron while minimising added sugars and saturated fats.

Álvaro Hernáez, a researcher at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and a professor at the Blanquerna Faculty of Health Sciences at Ramon Llull University, underscored the importance of breakfast by stating that it is indeed the most important meal of the day, with both the quantity and quality of food being pivotal. He highlighted that controlled portions and excellent nutritional composition are crucial, with their data demonstrating that better breakfast quality correlates with improved outcomes for cardiovascular risk factors.

Dr Montse Fitó, coordinator of the Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Research Group at the same institute, reiterated that maintaining energy adequacy and high food quality at breakfast is essential for preventing cardiovascular risks. She noted that the dietary recommendations focused on food quality have effectively improved the progression of risk factors over time among adults at high cardiovascular risk.

The researchers ensured that the study’s findings were adjusted to solely reflect the effects of breakfast’s energy and nutritional content, excluding other potential factors. This rigorous approach led Karla-Alejandra Pérez-Vega, another researcher involved in the study, to conclude that promoting healthy breakfast habits is a key strategy for fostering healthy ageing, reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome and associated chronic diseases, and thus enhancing the overall quality of life. This study not only underscores the importance of a nutritious breakfast in managing weight and reducing disease risk but also highlights the broader impact of diet on long-term health and well-being.

More information: Karla-Alejandra Pérez-Vega et al, Breakfast energy intake and dietary quality and trajectories of cardiometabolic risk factors in older adults, The journal of nutrition health & aging. DOI: 10.1016/j.jnha.2024.100406

Journal information: The journal of nutrition health & aging Provided by IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)