Background/Objectives:Arterial hypertension, increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and arterial stiffness (AS) are recognized predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Emerging evidence suggests that vascular remodeling may precede the full development of hypertension. Furthermore, body mass index (BMI), fat mass percentage (FM%), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), are significant risk factors for cardiovascular events. Conversely, adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk due to its beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and vascular health. Methods: This observational study explored the association between nutritional care and cardiovascular risk in 55 Italian adults (27 women, 28 men) consecutively evaluated at the Section of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomics, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, in 2024. Nutritional and vascular assessments, including BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), BIA, DXA, lab tests, blood pressure (BP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and cIMT, were recorded. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between vascular and nutritional parameters. Wilcoxon rank sum test; Fisher’s exact test; and Pearson’s Chi-squared test were performed for statistical analysis. Participants were divided into two groups based on cIMT > 0.90 mm and ≤0.90 mm. Results: Significant correlations emerged between higher MEDAS scores and BMI (r = −0.53, p < 0.01), FM% (r = −0.49, p < 0.01), VAT (r = −0.63, p < 0.01), and cIMT (r = −0.88, p < 0.01). Higher WHR and VAT were associated with increased brachial and central BP and PWV. Notable dietary differences were significantly higher between cIMT groups. Total cholesterol/C-HDL, C-LDL/C-HDL, the Atherogenic Index of Plasma, and the HOMA Index differed significantly between groups. Significant differences were also observed in the left ventricular diastolic function (p = 0.04), LVM/BSA, and LVM/h^2.7 in individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These innovative findings underline the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to prevent CVD and suggest long-term benefits of Mediterranean diet adherence on vascular health.

The enteric microbiota influences gene expression in the colonic epithelium. H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) affects gastric growth factors, cytokines, and tumor cell markers, potentially benefiting the host. The interaction between H. pylori and human microbiota is complex but appears beneficial in gastric disease development. This publication discusses the human microbiota, gastric microbiome, chronic H. pylori colonization, and the bacterium’s role in gastric disease. The interplay between the gastric bacterium and human microbiota during infection is also explored. The human gut has the most abundant and complex microbial community and performs vital roles in food digestion and nutrient uptake, extraction of absorbable vitamins, and inhibition of pathogen colonization. Helicobacter pylori is a highly specialized human gastric pathogen, predominantly colonizing the gastric mucus layer, on or adherent to the underlying gastric epithelial cell surfaces. Many studies have suggested that the gastric microbiome is related to H. pylori infection, and some bacterial species can be used for the detection or diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Human microbiome and genome analysis has revolutionized our understanding of the intricate relationship between humans and their associated microbial communities. The integration of microbiome data has displayed promising capabilities in occult disease detection, unveiling previously hidden pathologies and providing opportunities for early intervention. These groundbreaking discoveries have paved the way for novel therapeutic strategies and a deeper comprehension of the interconnected nature of the human microbiome and overall health.

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents one of the major challenges of modern medicine, with a growing impact on public health and healthcare systems. In recent years, dietary supplements use has been the subject of increasing interest as a complementary strategy for the prevention and treatment of the disease. Materials and Methods: A Review of reviews was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and REAPPRAISED checklist to evaluate the efficacy and safety of supplement use in AD. The search, performed across major scientific databases, identified 54 relevant articles, including 53 reviews and one mini-review, after applying specific inclusion criteria and removing duplicates. Results: The growing body of evidence suggests that some supplements may help reduce cognitive decline, inflammation, and target mechanisms behind AD. However, many of these supplements are still under investigation, with mixed results highlighting the need for high-quality research. A key challenge is the lack of data on optimal dosages, administration duration, and long-term safety, which limits clinical guidelines. Some studies have reported positive effects from specific regimens, such as curcumin (800 mg/day), omega-3 fatty acids (2 g/day), and resveratrol (600 mg/day). Other supplements, like phosphatidylserine (300 mg/day), multinutrient formulations, probiotics, vitamin E (2000 IU/day), and melatonin (3–10 mg/day), also show benefits, though study variability makes conclusions uncertain. Conclusions: While certain supplements show potential in mitigating cognitive decline in AD, inconsistent findings and gaps in dosage and safety data highlight the need for rigorous, large-scale trials. Future research should focus on personalized, multimodal strategies integrating targeted supplementation, dietary patterns, and microbiota-gut-brain interactions for enhanced neuroprotection.

The human exposome, including dietary exposures such as pesticides, additives, and environmental contaminants, plays a critical role in shaping the gut microbiota (GM) and long-term health outcomes. While the Mediterranean Diet is known for its health-promoting effects, the role of food quality, specifically organic vs. conventional products, in modulating GM within this dietary pattern remains underexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) whether an Italian Mediterranean Organic Diet (IMOD) confers additional benefits compared to an Italian Mediterranean non-Organic Diet (IMnOD), and (2) the impact of IMOD and IMnOD versus a free diet (No Diet) on GM and anthropometric parameters. A randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 39 healthy subjects. Eligible subjects were divided into the following groups: (1) 4 weeks No Diet, (2) 4 weeks IMOD, and (3) 4 weeks IMnOD. Microbiota profiling (16S rRNA sequencing), body composition (BIA), and dietary adherence (MEDAS, FFQ) were evaluated. Distinct microbial shifts following both IMOD and IMnOD compared to No Diet were revealed. Several taxa previously associated with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) biosynthesis (i.e., Anaerobutyricum hallii, Anaerostipes hadrus, and Dorea longicatena) were increased after both Mediterranean Diet interventions, while Parabacteroides distasonis showed a specific increase in the IMOD group. No significant changes in body weight or composition were observed. These findings suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean Diet, regardless of food source, reshapes the gut microbiota, while organic food intake may influence specific microbial trajectories. Our results support the relevance of food quality in dietary interventions.

Interactions in the gut-brain crosstalk have led to the development of an entirely new concept: the "microbiota-gut-brain axis". Microbiota has gained considerable attention in relation to disorders of a more neurological nature, such as neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric illnesses like autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, and mood disorders. This review aims to summarize the recent trends and insights into the role and consequences of gut microbiota in brain health and pediatric neurological disorders. Dysbiosis may be associated with an increased risk of neurological diseases that lead to different disruptions and conditions, including mental health issues. During microbiota dysbiosis, neuropsychological stress hormones that usually affect oxytocin and GABA neurons are significantly reduced. Current studies report that anxiety, major depression, and cognitive dysfunction are closely associated with dysbiosis. In the last few years, a handful of clinical studies have emerged, illustrating the potential for a bidirectional relationship of gut-brain interactions in humans. Perhaps some of the most crucial clinical investigations demonstrating overlapping relationships with the human gut-brain axis come from human trials focusing on modulating the microbiota significantly and noting significant cognitive correlates. A new field is emerging such as gene-editing technology that could represent a potential tool to improve gut microbial characteristics. This approach could be particularly relevant for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders and brain-gut axis diseases linked with loss of microbial species and/or high pathobiont load.

Musculoskeletal injuries comprise a wide range of physical conditions impacting the coordination of bones, muscles, and joints. Estimations suggest that close to one-third of the world’s population will experience a musculoskeletal or non-musculoskeletal injury at some point in their life. Musculoskeletal injuries affect athletes, office workers, industrial workers, older adults, and children every year. Among individuals over the age of 65, musculoskeletal injuries disproportionately affect older women, limiting their ability to maintain an active and professional life or engage in leisure activities during retirement. The field of physical therapy has recently expanded to build an understanding of the complex, non-linear interactions between the gut microbiota and the musculoskeletal system. There is an unexpected connection between the gut microbiota and both the experience of musculoskeletal pain and the healing process following musculoskeletal injuries. Understanding the mechanisms of the microbiota’s influence on these injuries could inform healthcare strategies aimed at prevention and recovery. For patients who suffer from or are at risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries, analyzing the composition of their microbiota plays a crucial role in patient stratification, which can significantly enhance the effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies.