Metabolic syndrome, also as known as Syndrome X or Insulin Resistance Syndrome, is a complex health problem featuring visceral obesity (the main diagnostic criterion), insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and high blood pressure. Currently, this health condition has gained a momentum globally while raising concerns among health-related communities. The World Health Organization, American Heart Association and International Diabetes Federation have formulated diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome. Diet and nutrition can influence this syndrome: for example, the Western diet is associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome, whereas the Nordic and Mediterranean diets and the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension are potentially beneficial. The Mediterranean diet can affect the components of metabolic syndrome due to its high dietary fiber, omega 3 and 9 fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and bioactive substances, such as polyphenols. These nutrients and bioactive substances can combat obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The mechanisms by which they do so are generally related to oxidative stress, inflammation (the most common risk factors for metabolic syndrome) and gastrointestinal function. The literature also shows examples of positive effects of the Mediterranean diet on the metabolic syndrome. In this review of the literature, we shed light on the effects, mechanisms and dynamic relationship between the Mediterranean diet and metabolic syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the effect of a home-based interactive telerehabilitation program on balance performance in older people, and to compare the results with a nonsupervised home exercise (NHE) program. Subjects and Methods: A total of 50 participants (35 females), aged 65–90 years, were included in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups as the interactive telerehabilitation home exercise group (ITHE), NHE group or control group. The ITHE and NHE groups exercised three times per week for 8 weeks. The outcome measures were the Berg Functional Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Sway Balance Mobile Application, Trait Anxiety Inventory (TAI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module (WHL). Results: In the control group, no difference was observed in the TUG and BBS scores, at the end of the 8 weeks compared with preexercise (pre-ex), whereas these scores increased significantly in the NHE (TUG: P < 0.001, BBS: P < 0.001) and ITHE groups (TUG: P < 0.001, BBS: P = 0.003). The WHL scores increased significantly in all three groups, and no difference was observed in the TAI scores. There was a significant difference in SWAY score only in the telerehabilitation group compared with pre-ex (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Although NHE and ITHE were effective on the improvement of balance, mobility and reduction of fall risk in older individuals, this effect was found to be greater in the ITHE group. Quality of life increased in all groups, but no change in anxiety level was observed.

The increase in traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) methods has revealed the necessity of determining relevant behavioral tendencies among healthcare users. In our study, the evaluation of TCM approaches of healthcare users living in North Cyprus in terms of treatment effectiveness, patient trust and patient satisfaction, and the effects of these variables on patient loyalty, were investigated. Data were collected utilizing the scale approach as well as the survey technique in order to measure the variables in the study. A total of 452 participants completed the survey. TCM has a positive effect on treatment effectiveness, patient trust and patient satisfaction. Patient trust and patient satisfaction have a positive effect on patient loyalty, whereas treatment effectiveness did not have a significant effect on patient loyalty. There is a significant and positive mediating effect of patient trust and patient satisfaction between TCM and patient loyalty. However, the mediating effect of treatment effectiveness is not significant between TCM and patient loyalty. This study will help researchers and practitioners understand the importance of attitude, trust, effectiveness, satisfaction and loyalty in relation to TCM. It is suggested that studies that measure the behaviors of patients should increase in order to obtain better health outcomes.