Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are foods that have undergone extensive industrial processing, with the addition of emulsifiers and sweeteners together with various chemicals originating during preparation and the packaging procedures. UPFs are intended to be more palpable, long lasting, and easier to find and consume. However, their widespread use has been linked to various disorders, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity, and lately metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Given that MASLD is primarily driven by excessive fat accumulation in the liver and considering the high energy density and poor nutritional quality of UPFs, a plausible link has emerged between elevated UPF intake and increased MASLD risk. The aim of this review is to synthesize current data regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying MASLD, the role of UPF overconsumption in its development, and potential strategies to prevent disease progression towards metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Special focus is placed on the contribution of UPFs to these processes, highlighting the importance of minimizing their consumption as supported by contemporary research.

Celiac disease (CeD) is a chronic, immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by dietary gluten in genetically susceptible individuals, with environmental and epigenetic factors also contributing to its pathogenesis. Once considered a rare pediatric malabsorptive disorder, CeD is now recognized as a systemic condition that can manifest with both gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms across the lifespan. Although strict adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) remains the cornerstone of treatment, up to 30–40% of patients experience persistent symptoms and/or ongoing mucosal injury despite reported compliance. This therapeutic gap, combined with advances in molecular understanding of disease mechanisms, has driven the development of novel strategies targeting key pathogenic pathways. Intraluminal interventions include gluten-degrading enzymes and gluten-sequestering agents, while other approaches target tissue transglutaminase 2, induce antigen-specific immune tolerance, or modulate cytokine-driven inflammation, with particular emphasis on interleukin-15 (IL-15) signaling. Additional strategies aim to inhibit lymphocyte trafficking to the intestinal mucosa and enhance intestinal barrier function through zonulin modulation. Adjunctive therapies under investigation include nutraceuticals, microbiota-targeted interventions, and vaccine-based approaches. More recently, advanced experimental and computational platforms, such as human intestinal organoids, organ-on-chip systems, and machine learning–driven analytics, are being leveraged in efforts to accelerate translational research and support the rational design of precision medicine approaches. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence for therapies beyond the GFD, examines challenges in clinical implementation, and discusses how technological innovations may reshape the future therapeutic landscape of CeD.

Nanotechnology refers to the science that modulates molecules to the nanoscale dimension. Nanomedicine, i.e., the utilization of nanotechnology for diagnosing and treating several disorders, is a subject of ongoing research. The concept behind nanomedicine in diabetes mellitus (DM) treatment stems from the need to ameliorate absorption and distribution of antidiabetic therapies in order to overcome barriers, namely the pH throughout the gastrointestinal tract, the gut microbiota, the temperature/heat and the difficulties in the incorporation of drugs into the cells. Thus, the scope of nanomedicine is particularly challenging and demanding, considering the fact that the human body is a perpetually changing entity in order to achieve homeostasis. In this review, we will delve into various nanoparticles that are being studied in terms of antidiabetic treatment, their pros and cons and the expanding knowledge in this field. Despite the fact that nanomedicine seems to be very promising, there are still many gaps in our understanding of how the human body addresses its utilization. Moreover, its high costs, along with an as-yet unclear safety profile, remain a significant barrier to widespread adoption. In this review, we will describe both phytochemicals and chemical compounds that nanomedicine seeks to exploit in order to pave the way for a more efficacious and comprehensive management of diabetes mellitus.