Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 29, 2024 1 month, 4 weeks, 23 hours, 3 minutes ago
Diets And Nutrition: Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent condition that often leads to a complex interplay of cardiac and non-cardiac comorbidities, significantly impacting patients' health and quality of life. Recent research has highlighted the role of inflammation in the progression of HF, making the modulation of inflammatory markers a promising therapeutic target. A
Diets And Nutrition study by the Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC) and Reina Sofia University Hospital in Spain explored the impact of nutritional support on inflammatory cytokines in HF patients, revealing significant findings that could reshape dietary interventions for these individuals.
Nutritional Support Reduces Inflammation in Heart Failure Patients
The Inflammation-Heart Failure Connection
Heart failure is frequently accompanied by elevated levels of circulating cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and IP-10, which are associated with worse clinical outcomes. Inflammatory cytokines contribute to the deterioration of cardiac function and overall health. Therefore, targeting these inflammatory markers through dietary means presents a logical approach to improve the clinical course of HF.
Study Design and Objectives
The study aimed to compare the effects of a Mediterranean diet alone versus a Mediterranean diet supplemented with hypercaloric, hyperproteic oral nutritional supplements (ONS) enriched with omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on circulating cytokine levels in HF patients. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving only the Mediterranean diet (control group) and the other receiving the Mediterranean diet plus ONS (intervention group).
Key Findings
-Cytokine Reduction and Nutritional Support
The study observed significant reductions in inflammatory markers among patients receiving the Mediterranean diet and ONS. Notably, IL-8 levels decreased in all patients, while IL-6 and IP-10 levels significantly dropped only in the intervention group. These findings underscore the added benefit of ONS in modulating inflammation in HF patients.
-Associations with Body Composition
IL-6 and IL-8 showed positive correlations with fat mass and C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels, highlighting the link between inflammation, obesity, and HF. Interestingly, IL-6 and MCP-1 were associated with overweight and obesity, emphasizing the importance of managing body weight in HF patients to reduce inflammatory burden.
-Mortality and Cytokine Levels
MCP-1 emerged as an independent predictor of mortality in HF patients. The study's multivariate analysis confirmed that elevated MCP-1 levels were significantly associated with increased mortality risk. This finding suggests that MCP-1 could serve as a critical biomarker for assessing prognosis in HF patients.
-The Role of Omega-
3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 PUFAs, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been recognized for their anti-inflammatory properties. The supplementation of these fatty acids in the study's ONS contributed to the observed reductions in IL-6 and IP-10. The anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 PUFAs are attributed to their ability to inhibit the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway, which plays a crucial role in the transcription of inflammatory molecules.
Implications for Clinical Practice
The findings of this study suggest that incorporating hypercaloric, hyperproteic, n-3 enriched ONS into the dietary regimen of HF patients can significantly reduce circulating levels of key inflammatory cytokines. This nutritional approach not only helps manage inflammation but also supports overall heart function, potentially improving the clinical outcomes for HF patients.
Addressing Sarcopenia in HF
Sarcopenia, characterized by reduced skeletal muscle mass and function, is a common comorbidity in HF patients, contributing to worse clinical outcomes. The study highlighted the beneficial effects of nutritional interventions on muscle health. Patients who received the Mediterranean diet and ONS showed improved functionality, as evidenced by significant improvements in the up-and-go test, indicating better physical performance.
Conclusion: A Promising Nutritional Strategy
In conclusion, the study demonstrates that nutritional support, particularly the combination of a Mediterranean diet with omega-3 enriched ONS, effectively reduces circulating cytokines in HF patients. This intervention holds promise for enhancing heart functionality and overall health in individuals with HF. Given the increasing prevalence of HF and the associated comorbidities, such dietary strategies offer a cost-effective and practical approach to improving patient outcomes. Future research should continue to explore the long-term benefits of nutritional interventions in diverse HF populations to further validate these promising findings.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Nutrients.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/11/1637
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