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diet

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Mediterranean diet may boost mitochondrial signals linked to heart and brain health

27 Mars 2026, 21:49pm

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Publié par Box News

Mediterranean diet may boost mitochondrial signals linked to heart and brain health

A study led by researchers at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology suggests that the benefits of the Mediterranean diet may be driven, in part, by tiny proteins hidden within our mitochondria, opening a new window into how diet shapes aging and disease risk. The findings are published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.

The study, led by USC Leonard Davis Instructional Associate Professor of Gerontology Roberto Vicinanza, found that people who closely follow a Mediterranean-style diet have higher levels of two mitochondrial microproteins, humanin and SHMOOSE—both of which have been linked to protection against cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration.

"These microproteins may act as molecular messengers that translate what we eat into how our cells function and age," Vicinanza said. "It's a new biological pathway that helps explain why the Mediterranean diet is so powerful."

Diet, mitochondria and aging

The Mediterranean diet, which is rich in olive oil, fish, legumes, fruits and vegetables, has long been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and cognitive decline. But the mechanisms behind these benefits are still being uncovered.

In the new study, researchers analyzed blood samples from older adults with varying levels of adherence to the diet. Those with the highest adherence showed significantly elevated levels of humanin and SHMOOSE, along with lower markers of oxidative stress, a key driver of aging and chronic disease.

The team also found that specific foods appeared to matter. Olive oil, fish and legumes were associated with higher humanin levels, while olive oil and lower intake of refined carbohydrates were linked to higher SHMOOSE.

"These findings suggest that specific components of the Mediterranean diet may directly influence mitochondrial biology," said USC Leonard Davis School Dean and USC Distinguished Professor Pinchas Cohen, the study's senior author. "Humanin and SHMOOSE could serve as biomarkers for adherence to the Mediterranean diet and have clinical significance."

A new role for mitochondrial microproteins
The study builds on more than two decades of research led by Cohen, a pioneer in the discovery of mitochondria-derived peptides.

Unlike traditional proteins encoded in nuclear DNA, these microproteins are produced from small open reading frames in the separate mitochondrial genome, regions once thought to be nonfunctional.

Among the most well-studied is humanin, which was first identified by Cohen and colleagues in 2003. It has since been linked to improved insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular protection, longevity and preservation of cognitive function.

More recently, Cohen's lab discovered SHMOOSE (Small Human Mitochondrial ORF Over SErine tRNA), a microprotein tied to brain health. A genetic variant of SHMOOSE has been associated with increased Alzheimer's disease risk, while the normal form appears to protect neurons from amyloid-related damage.

"These peptides are emerging as key regulators of aging biology," Cohen said. "They connect mitochondrial function to diseases like Alzheimer's and heart disease and now, potentially, to nutrition."

Linking diet to cardioprotection

Another notable finding from the study is a potential interaction between humanin and Nox2, an enzyme that produces harmful reactive oxygen species.

Higher humanin levels were associated with lower Nox2 activity, suggesting that the peptide may help reduce oxidative stress and protect the cardiovascular system.

The researchers propose that the Mediterranean diet may work through a dual mechanism: directly lowering oxidative stress while also boosting mitochondrial microproteins that further suppress damaging pathways.

"This could represent a new cardioprotective mechanism of the Mediterranean diet," Vicinanza said.

From the lab to global advocacy

Beyond the lab, Vicinanza has also been active in promoting the Mediterranean diet on a global stage, linking his scientific work to a broader international effort to advance it as a model for health, culture, and sustainability. He has worked with the Municipality of Pollica in Italy, a UNESCO Mediterranean Diet emblematic community, to support the establishment of the International Day of the Mediterranean Diet at the United Nations.

The observance will be held annually on November 16 and is aimed at raising awareness of the diet's health, cultural, and environmental benefits worldwide. That broader mission aligns with the study's findings, he said.

"We're connecting centuries-old dietary traditions with cutting-edge molecular biology," Vicinanza said. "It supports the idea that healthy eating patterns with little to no ultra-processed foods reflect how humans have eaten over long periods and may create conditions to which mitochondria—ancient cellular organelles—are likely adapted."

Toward precision nutrition and healthy aging

While the study was relatively small and observational, the findings point to a new frontier in "precision nutrition," where biomarkers like mitochondrial microproteins could help tailor diets to optimize health and longevity.

Future research will explore whether dietary interventions can directly increase levels of humanin, SHMOOSE and related peptides and whether those changes translate into reduced disease risk.

"Our goal is to move from observing associations to understanding causality," Vicinanza said. "If we can harness these pathways, we may be able to design nutritional strategies that promote healthy aging at the molecular level."

(Source : MedicalXpress)

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Why Diet Matters for Inflamed Skin — and Why It’s Not the Whole Answer

27 Décembre 2025, 18:38pm

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Publié par Box News

Why Diet Matters for Inflamed Skin — and Why It’s Not the Whole Answer

Short answer: some foods contain the kinds of fats and building blocks that help skin make healthy lipids, and eating a balanced diet that includes those foods can support skin health — but eating foods alone is not a quick substitute for topical barrier repair or medical treatment. The effect of dietary lipids on eczema and psoriasis is real but typically modest, variable between people, and best seen as one part of a broader plan rather than a stand-alone cure. (PMC)

To make sense of this, it helps to separate two ways lipids reach your skin. One way is from the outside: creams and lotions deliver ceramides and other barrier lipids directly to the skin surface, and those topical, “tri-lipid” (ceramide:cholesterol:fatty acid) formulations have good clinical evidence for helping restore the skin barrier in people with eczema. That is why many dermatologists recommend ceramide-containing moisturizers as a first-line, everyday measure for dry, inflamed skin. (PMC)

The other way is from the inside: the fats and fatty-acid building blocks you eat can influence what the skin makes. Foods high in long-chain omega-3s — oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, plus algae or fish-oil supplements that provide EPA and DHA — have been studied because they reduce some forms of inflammation. Clinical reviews show some modest benefit of omega-3s for inflammatory skin conditions (including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis) in some people, but results are mixed and benefits are generally smaller and slower than what you get from targeted topical or prescription therapies. (Journal de Dermatologie Intégrative)

Certain dietary fats are especially important for the physical barrier. Linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid that the body cannot make, is a raw material the skin uses when building special lipids (including ω-hydroxy-ceramides) that keep the barrier tight. Low dietary linoleic acid can harm barrier function; in other words, getting enough of these essential fatty acids in the diet supports the skin’s ability to hold onto water and resist irritation. (PMC)

You’ll also see claims about “dietary ceramides” or phytoceramides (from wheat, rice, soy, dairy and eggs). these foods do contain ceramide molecules or precursors, but the amounts in a normal diet are relatively small and the evidence that eating those foods repairs the skin barrier to the same degree as applying ceramide-containing creams is limited. Some supplements that concentrate phytoceramides are marketed for skin hydration, but the science is less robust than the data for topical barrier creams. (HUM Nutrition)

There are also specific supplements that people try for eczema, such as evening primrose oil or borage oil (sources of gamma-linolenic acid). High-quality systematic reviews have generally not found clear benefit of evening primrose or borage oil for eczema over placebo. That doesn’t mean they are always useless, but it does mean they’re not a reliable, evidence-backed fix for most people. If you’re considering supplements, it’s wise to discuss them with your clinician because doses, quality, interactions and side effects matter. (PubMed)

Putting this into everyday terms: eating a balanced, unprocessed diet that includes oily fish, seeds, nuts, whole grains, eggs, dairy if tolerated, and healthy cooking fats like olive oil will supply the essential fatty acids and other nutrients your skin needs to function well. That nutritional support can reduce inflammation and help the skin make healthier lipids over time. However, when the skin barrier is already broken and you have active eczema or psoriasis patches, topical barrier repair (ceramide-containing emollients) and medical anti-inflammatory treatments are typically the fastest and most reliable ways to reduce symptoms. Diet is supportive rather than curative. (Journal de Dermatologie Intégrative)

If you want practical next steps, consider gently increasing oily fish and plants high in essential fatty acids, avoid extreme restrictive diets unless supervised, and talk with your dermatologist or primary care clinician before starting concentrated supplements (especially if you take other medicines). They can help you weigh the likely benefit, choose reputable products, and combine dietary measures with proven topical or prescription therapies for the best results.

(Source : ChatGPT)

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