Unlocking the Heart-Healthy Secrets of the Mediterranean Diet: A Leap for Mice Studies

Key Takeaways:

• A Mediterranean-style diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids and nitrate/nitrite-based vegetables leads to the natural formation of nitro fatty acids in the organism, which are known to regulate blood pressure by obstructing a specific enzyme.
• A study conducted on mice showed that inhibiting this enzyme lead to a decrease in blood pressure and protected against heart damage. These effects were not observed in genetically modified mice resistant to the effects of nitro fatty acids.
• This study supports the theory that consuming vegetable-rich diets and unsaturated fats together may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, although further research is necessary to confirm if these results are consistent in humans.
• The research emphasizes the importance of obtaining nutrients from whole food consumption, rather than via supplements, in reducing the risk of disease.
• Nitro fatty acids are currently under investigation for their therapeutic applications, with safety assessments underway as part of preliminary research sanctioned by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration.

The benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet, brimming with fish, nuts, fruits, and vegetables are well-established in promoting heart health. So, what’s the driving mechanism behind these healthful effects? An engaging study conducted on mice is here to shed light on the subject.

The Nourishing Bond of Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Nitrate

“Nourishment rich in unsaturated fatty acids from olives, fishes, and nuts, when consumed along with nitrate or nitrite-based vegetables such as beetroot and leafy greens, results in the natural formation of nitro fatty acids in the organism,” states Philip Eaton, a recognized professor in cardiovascular biochemistry at Kings College London. He further illustrated how these versatile nitro fatty acids serve to regulate blood pressure by obstructing a specific enzyme.

This intriguing study was made accessible on May 19 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Despite this experiment being primarily conducted on mice, Professor Eaton anticipates a similar effect on humans, who also possess the enzyme of interest.

Exploring the Potential of Enzyme Inhibitors in Lowering Blood Pressure

Throughout this analysis, the researchers aimed to determine if merely blocking the enzyme would suffice to reduce the blood pressure in the test subjects. They began by genetically modifying mice to bear an enzyme mutation that prevented it from being affected by nitro fatty acids.

The wild mice group, when administered an enzyme inhibitor, showed a decrease in blood pressure. This wasn’t the case for mice with the mutated enzyme. In addition, the inhibitor defended the wild mice from heart damage within a high blood pressure model context but failed to offer the same protection to the genetically manipulated mice. Feeding a Mediterranean diet to the mice, which produces nitro fatty acids, shut down the enzyme in the wild mice again, but could not achieve the same result in the re-engineered mice.

Connie Diekman, the director of university nutrition at Washington University, St. Louis, and an independent observer of the study stated, “This research enhances our knowledge on how vegetable consumption aids in decreasing the risk of high blood pressure.” She further observed that additional investigation would be required to ascertain that the mechanisms remain consistent in humans. Diekman highlighted that previous human research indicated comparable blood pressure reduction impacts when plant foods and unsaturated fats were consumed in unison.

Why Foods Trump Supplements in Reducing Disease Risks

Diekman emphasized that this research reaffirms the importance of foods, and not merely supplements, in subduing the risk of illnesses. One of the associates of the research team is engaged with Complexa Inc., a company in Pittsburgh focused on developing nitro fatty acids for therapeutic applications. According to Eaton, the safety of these fatty acids is currently being assessed in preliminary research sanctioned by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration.

Further Reading

For those interested in learning more about the Mediterranean diet, refer to the American Heart Association’s guide on the subject.