Introduction: The planetary health diet, introduced by the EAT–Lancet Commission, aims to address global health and sustainability challenges by promoting a plant-based diet with reduced consumption of animal-sourced foods. This diet not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also offers significant health benefits, including prevention and management of abdominal obesity, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, dyslipidemia, and elevated blood pressure. These metabolic disorders are components of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Objectives: This narrative review aims to gather the most recent findings on the impact of the planetary diet on individual components of metabolic syndrome and on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Methods: The available research on the topic was identified via searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Results: Abdominal obesity, a major risk factor for a range of chronic diseases, can be effectively mitigated by adhering to plant-based dietary patterns, which have been shown to reduce waist circumference and improve overall cardiometabolic health. Furthermore, the planetary diet plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of type-2 diabetes and improving glycemic control, with specific dietary components such as whole grains and fiber, demonstrating positive effects on blood glucose levels. This diet is additionally associated with favorable lipid profiles, including lower levels of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, which are critical in the prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions: These multiple benefits highlight that the planetary diet may be an effective strategy for managing and preventing metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. However, further research is needed to confirm its long-term efficacy and applicability across diverse populations.

Background: High-protein diets are widely used for weight reduction, body composition improvement, and metabolic health. Although effective, concerns remain regarding their long-term safety. This review summarizes current evidence on their benefits and risks. Materials and methods: A narrative review of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and observational studies evaluated the effects of high-protein diets on metabolic health and potential adverse outcomes. Results: High-protein diets promote weight loss by increasing satiety, thermogenesis, energy expenditure, and preserving fat-free mass. They improve appetite regulation through increased GLP-1 and GIP secretion and reduced ghrelin levels. Benefits are particularly evident in individuals with obesity, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes. However, excessive long-term intake, especially from animal sources, may increase renal workload, nephrolithiasis, hyperuricemia, nutritional deficiencies, and possibly cardiovascular risk. Evidence regarding cancer remains inconclusive. Conclusions: When appropriately planned and individualized, high-protein diets are effective for short- and medium-term weight management. Their long-term safety depends on protein source, dietary quality, and individual health status. Further long-term studies are needed to define their role in clinical practice.

Background: Creatine is one of the most extensively studied dietary supplements and has traditionally been used to improve physical performance and muscle function. Increasing evidence suggests that its role extends beyond sports nutrition, with potential applications in women's health across different stages of the female lifespan. Aim of the study: This review summarizes the biological functions of creatine, evaluates commercially available forms of supplementation, and critically discusses current evidence regarding its potential applications in gynecology and women's health, including the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Materials and methods: A systematic review of PubMed (last 20 years) was conducted using the keywords: „creatine”, „gynecology”. Conclusions: Creatine supplementation is emerging as a promising supportive strategy in women's health beyond sports nutrition. Creatine monohydrate remains the preferred formulation because of its established efficacy and safety. Evidence suggests that creatine may improve hydration, reduce fatigue, and support physical performance during the reproductive years, while preclinical studies indicate potential fetal protective effects during pregnancy. In postmenopausal women, particularly when combined with resistance training, creatine may enhance lean body mass and muscle strength, with emerging evidence also supporting benefits for cognitive function. However, further large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm its long-term safety, optimal dosing, and clinical efficacy in female-specific conditions.

Background: Bioactive compounds from plants have gained significant attention in modern medicine, demonstrating therapeutic potential in cardiovascular, dermatological and oncological conditions. Annona muricata is a candidate with documented multidirection therapeutic potential, especially when it comes to acetogenins. Aim of the study: This review evaluates the status of Annona muricata (Graviola) in modern medicine, analyzes characteristics of the plant and its phytochemicals with their multidirectional activities, such as anticancer, antidiabetic and antinflammatory. Materials and methods: A systematic review of PubMed (last 20 years) was conducted using the keywords: „Annona muricata”, „bioactive compounds”. Conclusions: A. muricata’s extract demonstrates anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant and gastroprotective effects through mechanisms like oxidative stress modulation, apoptosis, cellular signalling pathways, inflammation. Anticancer activity has been the most studied. A. muricata represents a promising pharmaceutical, but further clinical studies are needed to establish its efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic profile.

Piper methysticum, commonly known as kava, has been traditionally used in the South Pacific for centuries due to its calming and anxiolytic properties. Its primary bioactive constituents, kavalactones, are responsible for its pharmacological effects and modulate multiple central nervous system pathways. These compounds exhibit anxiolytic, sedative, and muscle-relaxant activity, which has led to increasing scientific interest in their potential application in anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder remains one of the most prevalent psychiatric conditions worldwide and is often associated with reduced quality of life and incomplete response to conventional pharmacotherapy. Consequently, kava is being investigated as a potential complementary therapeutic option. This review summarizes current evidence on Piper methysticum, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms of action of kavalactones and their role in anxiety management. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.