About this Research Topic
Alteration in metabolic health is related to a wide range of medical conditions with high social and economic impact. Indeed, the development of obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, steatosis, and glucose intolerance, diseases that lead to cardiovascular complications and diabetes, is a gigantic challenge for health systems around the world. Functional foods (based on the content of probiotic, prebiotic, and postbiotics agents) have emerged as a solution to the low effectiveness of pharmacological therapies against these health issues. Although there is evidence in the literature of the benefits that functional foods provide to metabolic health, both preclinical and clinical studies are necessary to, respectively, establish the mechanisms involved in their effects and their efficient use in dietary interventions.
The goal of this topic is to publish the most recent and original results of preclinical and clinical studies, as well as review articles (meta-analysis and comprehensive and systematic reviews) generated from the use of functional foods in the field of metabolic health. This topic may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the metabolic effects of functional foods and their application in metabolic diseases.
Original and review articles on themes of interest include but are not limited to:
- Preclinical research (in vitro/in vivo) carried out to evaluate the effects of probiotics, prebiotics (fiber and bioactive compounds), and postbiotics on eating behavior, body weight and diseases related to obesity (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, steatosis, etc.).
- Effects of pharmacological treatment with bioactive compounds on feeding behavior, body weight, and lipids and glucose metabolism.
- Modulation of the intestinal and fecal microbiota by the consumption of functional foods or bioactive compounds.
- Association of the consumption of functional foods and reduced hypothalamic and peripheral inflammation in obesity.
- Clinical research to determine the effects of functional foods on body weight and obesity-related diseases.
- Application of innovative technologies in the development of functional foods.
- Assessment of new sources of functional food components.
The goal of this topic is to publish the most recent and original results of preclinical and clinical studies, as well as review articles (meta-analysis and comprehensive and systematic reviews) generated from the use of functional foods in the field of metabolic health. This topic may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the metabolic effects of functional foods and their application in metabolic diseases.
Original and review articles on themes of interest include but are not limited to:
- Preclinical research (in vitro/in vivo) carried out to evaluate the effects of probiotics, prebiotics (fiber and bioactive compounds), and postbiotics on eating behavior, body weight and diseases related to obesity (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, steatosis, etc.).
- Effects of pharmacological treatment with bioactive compounds on feeding behavior, body weight, and lipids and glucose metabolism.
- Modulation of the intestinal and fecal microbiota by the consumption of functional foods or bioactive compounds.
- Association of the consumption of functional foods and reduced hypothalamic and peripheral inflammation in obesity.
- Clinical research to determine the effects of functional foods on body weight and obesity-related diseases.
- Application of innovative technologies in the development of functional foods.
- Assessment of new sources of functional food components.
Keywords: Functional foods; Probiotics; Prebiotics; Postbiotics; Bioactive compounds; Obesity; Dyslipidemia; Hypertension; Diabetes; Cardiovascular diseases
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
