The Effects of Diet on Inflammation, Cardiovascular Risk and Metabolic Syndrome

Dear Colleagues,

Maintaining a healthy body requires proper nutrition; however, in recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that many people consume excessive amounts of unhealthy nutrients, such as saturated fats and refined carbohydrates. This dietary habit can increase the risk of chronic cardiometabolic diseases, impair glucose regulation and lipid metabolism, and lead to obesity as well as diabetes. There is established evidence of the adverse effects of saturated fats on atherosclerosis, and it is now emerging that refined carbohydrates with a high glycemic index are the main contributors to the obesity pandemic. Furthermore, these unhealthy nutrients can harm the immune system and cause inflammation. On the other hand, balanced nutritional regimens like the Mediterranean diet have been shown to reduce or modify cardiometabolic risk factors, regulate the delicate balance of pro-inflammatory as well as anti-inflammatory mediators, and restore the immune system's ability to fight pathogens. Additionally, dietary supplements or nutraceuticals may be interesting since they can benefit gut-microbiome-related immunity.

This Special Issue aims to evaluate the progress made in understanding the mechanisms of action of individual nutrients or dietary patterns and the pathways involved in their impact on cardiovascular risk, chronic inflammation, and metabolic syndrome. These advancements would contribute to the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. We invite research papers and up-to-date review articles on topics related to population-based studies or animal models. These may include, but are not limited to, the interaction of diet/nutrients and genetics in disease development and progression, therapeutic approaches based on dietary/nutraceutical supplements, and the relationship between dietary compounds and gut-microbiota-derived metabolites in impacting cardiometabolic and inflammatory diseases.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Claudia Kusmic
Guest Editor

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