Diet, Nutrients and Noncommunicable Diseases

Abstract: There is a marked increase in our knowledge about the role of the nutritional factors in the global dimensions of the noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Recent studies indicate that there is coexistence of nutritional deficiencies and appreciable over-nutrition in conjunction with physical inactivity, due to urbanization and industrialization. Dietary factors may predispose inflammatory dysfunctions in tissues predisposing to central obesity and overweight that are risk factors of NCDs. Mortality and burden of disease estimates for WHO Member States in 2008, clearly showed that the gratifying gains in cardiovascular health occurred in developed countries, in association with an epidemic of CVD in the developing world. Singh et al. , proposed, modifying the previous hypothesis, that overweight comes first in conjunction with inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, increased angiotensin activity, vascular variability disorders and central obesity followed by glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. This sequence is followed by coronary artery disease (CAD), gallstones and cancers and finally dental caries, gastrointestinal diseases, bone and joint diseases, degenerative diseases of the brain and psychological disorders, during transition from poverty to affluence. It seems that all the NCDs are mediated by inflammation due to interaction of biological systems with dietary factors, including deficiency of nutrient rich functional foods and excess of rapidly absorbed energy-rich foods. Epidemiological studies indicate that as people become rich, they begin to increase their intake of pro-inflammatory refined foods; dietary w-6 and trans fat, salt and sugar in the form of ready prepared refined foods, syrups, dairy products and fresh foods in place of grain and vegetable-based diet which have been found protective against NCDs. There is an increase in sedentary behavior due to adoption of sedentary occupations, which also enhances the inflammation, dyslipidemia and obesity. A Mediterranean-style diet rich in nutrients, moderate physical activity and moderation in alcohol intake appear to be protective against NCDs.