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Nutritional Modulation in Aging and Metabolic Syndrome: Combating Obesity, Vascular Disease and Frailty

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 April 2026) | Viewed by 5894

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sérgio Henrique Sousa Santos

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Guest Editor

1. Institute of Agricultural Sciences (ICA), Food Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
2. Laboratory of Health Science, Postgraduate Program in Health Science, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (Unimontes), Minas Gerais, Brazil
Interests: metabolic syndrome; physical exercise; life quality; obesity; dyslipidemia
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Maik Gollasch

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Co-Guest Editor

Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
Interests: cardiovascular disease; hypertension; geriatrics; nephrology; physiology

Dr. Carla Jeane Aguiar

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Co-Guest Editor

Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Interests: cardiovascular; cell biology; molecular biology; cancer; metabolic syndrome

Dr. Daniele Teixeira Alves

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Guest Editor Assistant

Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
Interests: molecular biology; vasoactive; cardiovascular disease; kidney disease; physiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multifactorial disturbance characterized by a cluster of health issues that exacerbate one another, disrupting the body's homeostasis. Some of the main alterations include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and abnormal cholesterol levels, which are commonly associated with cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death worldwide. MetS is also increasingly linked to age-related conditions such as frailty and the broader aging process, highlighting the importance of early prevention and targeted management in older adults. New nutritional, molecular, and mechanistic insights are crucial for developing innovative treatment options.

Metabolic syndrome, vascular diseases, frailty, and ageing are interconnected, collectively posing significant risks to both individual and public health. Nutritional interventions, exercise, functional foods, nutraceuticals, and other specific therapies are essential for preventing, reducing, and treating these conditions, ultimately improving quality of life and promoting healthy aging.

This Special Issue aims to gather original research articles and review papers that evaluate the clinical relevance, experimental approaches, and biological activities of nutraceuticals, plants, dietary interventions, isolated compounds/active principles, and the mechanisms involved in metabolic syndrome, vascular diseases, diabetes, dyslipidemia, frailty, aging, and related disorders.

Prof. Dr. Sérgio Henrique Sousa Santos
Prof. Dr. Maik Gollasch
Dr. Carla Jeane Aguiar
Guest Editors

Dr. Daniele Teixeira Alves
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

metabolic syndrome
physical exercise
life qualit
obesity
dyslipidemia
aging

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1431 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Fiber Is Inversely Associated with Central Arterial Stiffness Progression, While Alcohol and Iron Intake Are Positively Associated with CAVI: A 5-Year Longitudinal Study

by Javier Alonso-Diaz, Marta Gómez-Sánchez, David Arjol, Susana Gonzalez-Sánchez, Emiliano Rodríguez-Sánchez, Luis García-Ortiz, Leticia Gómez-Sánchez, Manuel A. Gómez-Marcos and EVA Investigators Group

Nutrients 2026, 18(9), 1314; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18091314 - 22 Apr 2026

Viewed by 499

Abstract

Background: Arterial stiffness (AS) is a key marker of vascular aging and an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk. Although diet has been proposed as an important modifiable factor influencing vascular health, the independent associations between specific macronutrients and minerals and the progression of arterial stiffness remain insufficiently characterized. Objective: The aim of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the independent associations of baseline dietary macronutrient and mineral intake with the 5-year progression of arterial stiffness (assessed via carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in adults without prior cardiovascular disease. Methods: This longitudinal study included 466 participants from the EVA study who were evaluated at baseline and after a five-year follow-up (mean age 55.96 ± 14.15 years; 51.1% women). Arterial stiffness was assessed using cfPWV and CAVI. Dietary intake of macronutrients and minerals was estimated using the EVIDENT smartphone application. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the association between nutrient intake and arterial stiffness progression. Model 1 was adjusted for age and sex, and Model 2 was additionally adjusted for lifestyle variables and cardiovascular risk factors. Dietary intake was exclusively documented at baseline using a 3-day dietary record, while arterial stiffness parameters (cfPWV and CAVI) were assessed both at baseline and at the five-year follow-up. Results: Higher dietary fiber intake was independently associated with a lower increment in cfPWV after full adjustment (β = −0.025; 95% CI (confidence interval): −0.046 to −0.005). Alcohol intake showed a positive association with CAVI increment in the fully adjusted model (β = 0.020; 95% CI: 0.006 to 0.034). Iron intake was also independently associated with increased CAVI (β = 0.022; 95% CI: 0.004 to 0.041). Carbohydrate intake showed a small positive association with CAVI, whereas no consistent independent associations were observed for other macronutrients or minerals. Conclusions: In this adult population without previous cardiovascular disease, higher dietary fiber intake was associated with lower progression of central arterial stiffness, whereas alcohol and iron intake showed positive associations with peripheral arterial stiffness. Overall, most nutrients were not independently related to arterial stiffness after comprehensive adjustment. These findings suggest that selected dietary components may contribute modestly to vascular aging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Modulation in Aging and Metabolic Syndrome: Combating Obesity, Vascular Disease and Frailty)

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16 pages, 1458 KB

Open AccessArticle

Association Between Increased Central and Peripheral Arterial 2 Stiffness and Vitamin Intake in Healthy Adults: EVA Follow-Up 3 Study

by Javier Alonso-Diaz, Marta Gómez-Sánchez, Andrea Sánchez-Moreno, Cristina Lugones-Sánchez, Emiliano Rodriguez-Sanchez, Luis Garcia-Ortiz, Leticia Gómez-Sánchez and Manuel A. Gómez-Marcos

Nutrients 2026, 18(5), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18050745 - 26 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 561

Abstract

Background: Evidence from prospective studies on the relationship of the dietary vitamin intake and the progression of central and peripheral arterial stiffness remains limited. Objective: To evaluate the association between dietary vitamin intake with the changes in central and peripheral arterial stiffness over a five-year follow-up in adults without previous cardiovascular disease. Methods: This five-year longitudinal study included 466 participants from the EVA study who were evaluated at baseline and follow-up (mean age 55.96 ± 14.15 years; 51.1% women). Central arterial stiffness was assessed using carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), and peripheral arterial stiffness was measured using brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Dietary vitamin intake was estimated using the EVIDENT smartphone application, developed and validated by CGB and the Salamanca Primary Care (APISAL; registration number 00/2014/2207). Results: In multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, lifestyle factors, and cardiovascular risk factors, greater increases in cfPWV were inversely associated with vitamin B9 (folate) intake (β = −0.233; 95% CI: −0.390 to −0.075) and vitamin C intake (β = −0.291; 95% CI: −0.507 to −0.075). Similarly, increases in baPWV were inversely associated with vitamin B9 intake (β = −0.156; 95% CI: −0.287 to −0.025) and vitamin C intake (β = −0.223; 95%CI: −0.402 to −0.044). Conclusions: The progression of central and peripheral arterial stiffness over five years was greater in individuals with lower dietary intakes of vitamin B9 and vitamin C. These findings provide novel evidence supporting the possible role of dietary vitamin intake in the progression of arterial stiffness with aging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Modulation in Aging and Metabolic Syndrome: Combating Obesity, Vascular Disease and Frailty)

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18 pages, 865 KB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Effects of Gallic Acid Supplementation and Physical Training on Body Composition and Biochemical Parameters in Obese Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

by Bruna Kaicy Barbosa, Daniel Vinicius Alves Silva, Gislaine Candida Batista-Jorge, Berenilde Valéria de Oliveira Souza, Antônio Sérgio Barcala-Jorge, André Luiz Sena Guimarães, Alfredo Maurício Batista de Paula, João Marcus Oliveira Andrade and Sérgio Henrique Sousa Santos

Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020311 - 19 Jan 2026

Viewed by 906

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Obesity has been linked to cardiometabolic alterations and deteriorated body composition. Gallic acid, a polyphenol with antioxidant properties, may influence these parameters; however, there is limited clinical data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of gallic acid supplementation combined with physical exercise in obese individuals. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 150 participants recruited and divided into eight groups according to nutritional status (eutrophic or obese), supplementation (gallic acid 200 mg/day vs. placebo), and physical exercise (trained vs. untrained) for 12 weeks. Body composition, anthropometry, and serum biomarkers were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: A total of 107 participants completed the final assessment. A reduction in waist-to-hip ratio was observed in the obese group trained and supplemented with gallic acid (supplement × time interaction: p = 0.031). There was a reduction in waist circumference (supplement × physical exercise × time interaction: p = 0.041) and a reduction in skinfold thickness at the pectoral (p = 0.044) and abdominal (p = 0.036) sites. Fat-free mass showed a tendency to increase in the supplemented trained obese group (p = 0.054). In biochemical markers, an increase in albumin was identified in the supplement × time interaction (p = 0.043), especially in the trained obese group. Conclusions: The combination of gallic acid and physical exercise promoted improvements in abdominal adiposity and body composition markers, with favorable biochemical effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Modulation in Aging and Metabolic Syndrome: Combating Obesity, Vascular Disease and Frailty)

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25 pages, 4089 KB

Open AccessArticle

Circadian Phase Determines Tissue-Specific Adaptations to Long-Term Exercise in Obese Mice

by Shuo Wang, Ziwei Zhang, Jiapeng Huang, Yishan Tong, Cong Wu, Haruki Kobori, Sihui Ma and Katsuhiko Suzuki

Nutrients 2025, 17(20), 3281; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17203281 - 18 Oct 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1453

Abstract

Background: Exercise interacts closely with the circadian system; however, whether long-term training elicits time-of-day-dependent metabolic adaptations in the context of obesity remains unclear. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet and trained on a treadmill for 8 weeks during either the early rest phase (ZT3, Zeitgeber time) or the early active phase (ZT15). Sedentary mice served as controls. After the last session, animals were fasted for 4 h and sampled 48–49 h later. Plasma triglycerides (TGs) and glucose, as well as liver and epididymal white adipose tissue (EPI), were analyzed. Results: Plasma TGs showed a significant phase × exercise interaction (F(1, 25) = 5.25, p = 0.0307), with the lowest levels in ZT15-exe (27.22 mg/dL) compared with ZT15-sed (39.47 mg/dL, p < 0.01) and ZT3-exe (41.80 mg/dL, p < 0.01). Hepatic TG content was markedly lower in ZT3 than in ZT15 mice (F(1, 25) = 15.49, p < 0.001), and Oil Red O staining was associated with reduced lipid accumulation in exercised groups (p < 0.05). In EPI, Fasn expression was robustly decreased by exercise (F(1, 25) = 16.43, p = 0.0004, q = 0.0059), indicating long-term suppression of lipogenesis. In the liver, Cpt1a showed significant main effects of both phase (F(1, 25) = 10.11, p = 0.0039, q = 0.0158) and exercise (F(1, 25) = 13.42, p = 0.0012, q = 0.0353), being higher in ZT3 and under sedentary conditions, suggesting a circadian-dominant oxidative advantage in hepatic metabolism. Conclusions: Long-term exercise induced phase-dependent adaptations in lipid metabolism. Active-phase exercise promoted adipose lipid mobilization and lowered plasma TGs, while rest-phase training enhanced hepatic oxidative capacity. These results suggest a “tissue × time” framework of circadian-specific exercise responses, providing hypothesis-generating evidence for optimizing exercise timing in metabolic disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Modulation in Aging and Metabolic Syndrome: Combating Obesity, Vascular Disease and Frailty)

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13 pages, 257 KB

Open AccessArticle

Associations of Multimarkers of Metabolic Malnutrition and Inflammation with All-Cause Mortality by Multimorbidity Status

by Setor K. Kunutsor, Reyhaneh Rikhtehgaran, Margery A. Connelly, Irina Shalaurova, Stephan J. L. Bakker and Robin P. F. Dullaart

Nutrients 2025, 17(11), 1747; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111747 - 22 May 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1855

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The metabolic vulnerability index (MVX)—a composite biomarker reflecting metabolic malnutrition and inflammation—is associated with increased mortality risk, but its association across different levels of chronic disease burden has not been explored. We aimed to examine the associations of MVX and its subcomponents (Inflammation Vulnerability Index, IVX and Metabolic Malnutrition Index, MMX) with all-cause mortality according to multimorbidity status. Methods: In the PREVEND study, which included 6054 participants (mean age 54 years; 49.5% male), MVX was calculated using six plasma biomarkers measured simultaneously via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Results: During a median follow-up of 14.0 years, 911 deaths were recorded. In analyses adjusted for several established risk factors, the HRs (95% CIs) of mortality per 1 standard deviation increment in MVX were 1.32 (1.13–1.54; p < 0.001), 1.23 (1.08–1.40; p = 0.002), and 1.29 (1.16–1.43; p < 0.001) for individuals with no disease, one disease, and multimorbidity, respectively. The corresponding HRs (95% CIs) were 1.22 (1.05–1.42; p = 0.010), 1.17 (1.03–1.34; p = 0.015), and 1.25 (1.13–1.38; p < 0.001) for IVX and 1.29 (1.11–1.48; p = 0.001), 1.16 (1.02–1.31; p = 0.032), and 1.14 (1.03–1.25; p = 0.004) for MMX. The ratio of HRs showed no statistical evidence that sex modified the associations of MVX, IVX, and MMX with mortality in each multimorbidity category. However, the associations appeared stronger in males with chronic disease and in females without chronic conditions, suggesting possible sex-related trends. Conclusions: MVX, IVX, and MMX are independent risk indicators of all-cause mortality regardless of the burden of chronic disease, with MVX showing the strongest associations across different multimorbidity statuses. MMX should be interpreted as a proxy for metabolic malnutrition rather than a direct nutritional assessment tool. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Modulation in Aging and Metabolic Syndrome: Combating Obesity, Vascular Disease and Frailty)

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