A study of older adults with atrial fibrillation found stronger Mediterranean diet adherence was associated with higher levels of humanin and SHMOOSE, two mitochondrial microproteins tied to cellular protection.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A Mediterranean-style diet may help support healthy aging by influencing mitochondrial proteins involved in inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolism, according to a study published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
The study examined 49 older adults with atrial fibrillation, with an average age of 78.4 years. Researchers found that participants who more closely followed the Mediterranean diet had significantly higher plasma levels of two mitochondrial microproteins: humanin and small human mitochondrial ORF over serine tRNA, known as SHMOOSE.
The findings suggest a possible biological pathway that may help explain why the Mediterranean diet has been repeatedly linked to longevity and lower rates of chronic disease. Rather than acting only as a source of dietary antioxidants, the eating pattern may also help activate internal cellular defense systems.
Researchers reported that stronger adherence to the diet was associated with lower oxidative stress activity, measured through the enzyme Nox2. Humanin levels were inversely associated with Nox2, suggesting a connection between Mediterranean-style eating, reduced oxidative stress and improved mitochondrial signaling.
The Mediterranean diet has long been associated with lower risks of dementia [1], heart disease [2] and overall mortality [3]. The new study adds to that evidence by pointing to humanin and SHMOOSE as possible mediators of those benefits.
Humanin and SHMOOSE are small signaling proteins produced by mitochondria, the energy centers of cells. According to the study authors, these microproteins are involved in regulating inflammation, protecting cells from stress and supporting metabolism.
Higher humanin levels have been associated with better vascular outcomes and cognitive resilience. SHMOOSE appears to play a role in energy metabolism and fat processing. Both proteins tend to decline with age, making them a growing focus of longevity research.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is widely considered a hallmark of aging. Researchers have studied several strategies for supporting mitochondrial health, including dietary patterns and nutrients such as Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine [4]. The new findings suggest that an overall eating pattern may also influence mitochondrial function.
The study measured participants’ Mediterranean diet adherence using a validated score and then compared those scores with plasma concentrations of humanin and SHMOOSE. Higher adherence was linked to higher levels of both microproteins.
Several individual food categories appeared to contribute to the association. Olive oil, fish and legumes were positively linked with higher microprotein levels, while lower intake of refined bread was also associated with more favorable findings.
The results align with broader research connecting Mediterranean-style eating to cardiovascular protection. A meta-analysis of 57 studies found that greater adherence to the diet was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes [5]. Another large study of women found that the diet was linked to a reduced stroke risk of up to 25% [6].
The current study offers a possible cellular explanation for those outcomes. By supporting mitochondrial microproteins and reducing oxidative stress activity, the diet may help protect vascular and metabolic health as people age.
The study was observational and involved a small group of participants, meaning it cannot prove cause and effect. Still, its findings are consistent with a larger body of evidence supporting the Mediterranean diet for cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive health.
According to Siim Land in “The Longevity Leap,” higher diet quality resembling a Mediterranean-style pattern has been associated with a reduction in epigenetic age of 0.58 to 1.5 years [7]. Other research has noted the diet’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in cancer-related studies [8].
Olive oil, one of the diet’s defining foods, has also been associated with longevity and improved endothelial function [9]. The “Cardiac Rehabilitation Manual” notes that olive oil has been linked to longevity since the Seven Countries Study [9].
Practical steps for following the Mediterranean pattern include using extra-virgin olive oil as a primary cooking fat, eating fatty fish such as salmon or sardines two to three times per week and adding legumes such as beans, lentils and chickpeas. Replacing refined grains with whole grains and emphasizing fruits, vegetables and minimally processed foods are also consistent with the diet.
Researchers said even modest dietary changes may move people closer to the pattern observed in the study. Using olive oil in salad dressings, choosing fish instead of red meat and limiting refined bread and added sugars are simple ways to align daily meals with the findings.
The study’s key contribution is its focus on mitochondrial biology. Humanin and SHMOOSE may help explain how diet affects aging at the cellular level, particularly through pathways tied to oxidative stress, inflammation and energy metabolism.
While more research is needed, the findings add to evidence that food choices play a central role in long-term health. For older adults and those concerned about cardiovascular and cognitive aging, the Mediterranean diet remains one of the most consistently supported eating patterns in the scientific literature.
Source: Natural News
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