Approximately 25–50% of the population worldwide exhibits serum triglycerides (TG) (≥150 mg/dL) which are associated with an increased level of highly atherogenic remnant-like particles, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and pancreatitis risk. High serum TG levels could be related to cardiovascular disease, which is the most prevalent cause of mortality in Western countries. The etiology of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is multifactorial and can be classified as primary and secondary causes. Among the primary causes are genetic disorders. On the other hand, secondary causes of HTG comprise lifestyle factors, medical conditions, and drugs. Among lifestyle changes, adequate diets and nutrition are the initial steps to treat and prevent serum lipid alterations. Dietary intervention for HTG is recommended in order to modify the amount of macronutrients. Macronutrient distribution changes such as fat or protein, low-carbohydrate diets, and caloric restriction seem to be effective strategies in reducing TG levels. Particularly, the Mediterranean diet is the dietary pattern with the most consistent evidence for efficacy in HTG while the use of omega-3 supplements consumption is the dietary component with the highest number of randomized clinical trials (RCT) carried out with effective results on reducing TG. The aim of this review was to provide a better comprehension between human nutrition and lipid metabolism.

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic diseases are intricately linked in a complex, self-reinforcing relationship. Inflammation can induce oxidative stress, while oxidative stress can trigger inflammatory responses, creating a cycle that contributes to the development and progression of metabolic disorders; in addition, these effects can be observed at systemic and local scales. Both processes lead to cellular damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and insulin resistance, particularly affecting adipose tissue, the liver, muscles, and the gastrointestinal tract. This results in impaired metabolic function and energy production, contributing to conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Legumes are a good source of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins that exert an antioxidant effect—they directly neutralize reactive oxygen species and free radicals, reducing oxidative stress. In vivo, in vitro, and clinical trial studies demonstrate that these compounds can modulate key cellular signaling pathways involved in inflammation and metabolism, improving insulin sensitivity and regulating lipid and glucose metabolism. They also exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting proinflammatory enzymes and cytokines. Additionally, anthocyanins and phenolics may positively influence the gut microbiome, indirectly affecting metabolism and inflammation.

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are characterized by chronic hyperglycemia as a consequence of decreased insulin sensitivity, which contributes to bone demineralization and could also be related to changes in serum levels of osteocalcin and insulin, particularly when coupled with a deficiency in the daily consumption of vitamins D3 and K2. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 supplements alone or in combination on osteocalcin levels and metabolic parameters in patients with T2DM. Methods: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was carried out in 40 patients aged between 30 and 70 years old for 3 months. Clinical and laboratory assessment was carried out at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. The patients were divided into three groups: (a) 1000 IU vitamin D3 + a calcinated magnesium placebo (n = 16), (b) 100 µg of Vitamin K2 + a calcinated magnesium placebo (n = 12), and (c) 1000 IU vitamin D3 + 100 µg vitamin K2 (n = 12). Results: After treatment in the total studied population, a significant decrease in glycemia (p = 0.001), HOMA-IR (Homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance) (p = 0.040), percentage of pancreatic beta cells (p < 0.001), uOC/cOC index and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.030) were observed; in vitamin D3 group, differences in serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (p = 0.026), undercarboxylated to carboxylated osteocalcin index (uOC/cOC) (p = 0.039) glucose (p < 0.001) and % of functional pancreatic beta cells (p < 0.001) were demonstrated. In vitamin K2 group a significant decrease in glycemia (p = 0.002), HOMA-IR (p = 0.041), percentage of pancreatic beta cells (p = 0.002), and in cOC (p = 0.041) were observed, conversely cOC concentration was found high. Finally, in the vitamins D3 + K2 a significant decrease in glycemia (p = 0.002), percentage of pancreatic beta cells (p = 0.004), and in the uOC/cOC index (p = 0.023) were observed. Conclusion: Individual or combined supplementation with vitamins D3 and K2 significantly decreases the glucose levels and % of functional pancreatic beta cells, while D3 and D3 + K2 treatments also induced a reduction in the uOC/cOC index. Only in the group with vitamin D3 supplementation, it was observed a reduction in undercarboxylated osteocalcin while vitamin K2 increased the carboxylated osteocalcin levels. Trial registration NCT04041492

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain a serious public health problem and are the primary cause of death worldwide. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) has been identified as one of the most important molecules in the prevention of CVD due to its multiple anti-inflammatories, anti-atherogenic, and antioxidant properties. Currently, it has been observed that maintaining healthy levels of HDL-C does not seem to be sufficient if the functionality of this particle is not adequate. Modifications in the structure and composition of HDL-C lead to a pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant, and dysfunctional version of the molecule. Various assays have evaluated some HDL-C functions on risk populations, but they were not the main objective in some of these. Functional foods and dietary compounds such as extra virgin olive oil, nuts, whole grains, legumes, fresh fish, quercetin, curcumin, ginger, resveratrol, and other polyphenols could increase HDL functionality by improving the cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity. Nevertheless, additional rigorous research basic and applied is required in order to better understand the association between diet and HDL functionality. This will enable the development of nutritional precision management guidelines for healthy HDL to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults. The aim of the study was to increase the understanding of dietary compounds (functional foods and bioactive components) on the functionality of HDL.

Nutrition is an essential component when promoting human health. Without a doubt, improving the quality of one’s diet can improve one’s quality of life as a whole and help postpone the onset or control of many chronic diseases. The volume of publications in this field has increased in recent years, in line with increased awareness of the importance of nutrition in health; however, the quality of the evidence on which most nutritional guidelines are based remains low, due to errors in conducting nutritional interventions or because the information is primarily derived from observational studies. To enhance the evidence supporting clinical guidelines in nutrition, the quality of randomized clinical trials (RCT) based on nutritional interventions must be improved; nevertheless, due to their heterogeneous nature and a lack of specific guidelines for designing, performing, documenting, and reporting on this type of intervention, conducting a nutritional intervention is a real challenge. Following a review of the literature on the methodological and ethical standards, as well as four extensions of the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines that should be considered when implementing a nutritional intervention, seven essential aspects were identified. The current narrative review includes definitions, examples, diagrams, and algorithms regarding aspects of the appropriate study design, the intervention of the control group, the randomization and blinding processes, the study population selection, as well as a description of the type of intervention and the personnel involved in carrying out the study in order to make the implementation of a nutritional intervention easier.

Microorganisms have a close relationship with humans, whether it is commensal, symbiotic, or pathogenic. Recently, it has been documented that microorganisms may influence the response to drug therapy. Pharmacomicrobiomics is an emerging field that focuses on the study of how variations in the microbiome affect the disposition, action, and toxicity of drugs. Two additional sciences have been added to complement pharmacomicrobiomics, namely toxicomicrobiomics, which explores how the microbiome influences drug metabolism and toxicity, and pharmacoecology, which refers to modifications in the microbiome as a result of drug administration. In this context, we introduce the concept of “drug-infection interaction” to describe the influence of pathogenic microorganisms on drug response. This review analyzes the current state of knowledge regarding the relevance of microorganisms in the host’s response to drugs. It also highlights promising areas for future research and proposes the term “drug-infection interaction” as an extension of pharmacomicrobiomics.