Effect s o f Dair y o n Met abo lic Sy n dr o me Par amet er s A Rev iew
Metabolic syndrome (MetS+ characterized by central obesity, dyslipidemias, hypertension,and hyperglycemia, impacts 34 percent of the U.S. adult population. MetS has been demon strated to be affected by dietary components. Data from epidemiological studies and clini cal interventions suggest that one or more dairy components might directly affect MetSparameters. For example, calcium has been postulated to reduce body weight by modulat ing vitamin D concentrations in plasma and therefore attenuating intracellular calcium effectsin activating genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and reducing those involved in lipolysis.Peptides present in milk have been associated with the inhibition of angiotensin convertingenzyme and, therefore, with blood pressure reductions. Branched chain amino acids mayincrease post prandial insulin secretion and regulate plasma glucose levels, and leucine, anabundant amino acid in milk, may be responsible for decreased plasma glucose throughmodulation of mTOR. Through different proposed mechanisms, dairy nutrients may targetall components of MetS.*To whom all correspondence should be addressed: Maria Luz Fernandez, PhD, Depart ment of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269; Tele: 860 486 5547; Fax: 860 486 3672; Email: maria luz.fernandez@uconn.edu.+Abbreviations: ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme; CRD, carbohydrate restricted diets;FA, fatty acids; MetS, metabolic syndrome; RCT, randomized clinical trials; T2D, type 2 di abetes; TG, triglycerides; WC, waist circumference; NHANES, National Health and Nutri tion Examination Survey; PTH, parathyroid hormone; 1, 25 OH