Health Benefits of the Plant-Based Diet for Metabolic Syndrome

Dear Colleagues,

According to the NCEP ATP III definition, metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of at least three of the following five medical conditions: 1) high blood glucose; 2) low levels of HDL cholesterol in the blood; 3) high levels of triglycerides in the blood; 4) large waist circumference; and 5) high blood pressure. Patients with MetS have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease events and all-cause mortality. Lifestyle modifications, especially dietary habits, comprise the main therapeutic strategy for the treatment and management of MetS, but the most effective dietary pattern for its management has not been established. A plant-based diet (including the Mediterranean and vegetarian diets) has been considered, at present, the healthiest dietary pattern worldwide. Research on the identification of the active constituents (vitamins, sterols, polyphenols, etc.) of these plant-based diets is very active and could lead to the formulation of appropriate dietary guidelines as well as the discovery of novel bioactive foods and nutraceuticals. The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight novel research findings on plant-based diets that could represent an innovative and sustainable approach for the prevention and treatment of MetS.

We welcome submissions of original research articles, reviews, and mini-reviews focusing on, but not limited, to the following topics:

• Animal and clinical studies on plant-based diets (including the Mediterranean diet) and their active constituents, as well as their influence on relevant health outcomes.
• Role of different bioactive foods or nutraceuticals in the management of MetS-associated disorders.
• Synergistic or antagonistic action between different bioactive foods or nutraceuticals present in the plant-based diets on neuroendocrine–immune system modulation and gut microbiota dysbiosis.
• Potentially toxic elements and healthy diets.

Prof. Dr. Herbert Ryan Marini
Guest Editor

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• metabolic syndrome
• noncommunicable diseases
• plant-based diet
• Mediterranean diet
• bioactive foods
• nutraceuticals
• microbiota
• potentially toxic elements