Roberto Vicinanza MD, PhD is an instructional associate professor of gerontology at the USC Leonard Davis School and a specialist in geriatric medicine. He studies and teaches, aging, nutrition, and chronic disease, and he is an expert on the Mediterranean diet, which he recently spoke at an event at the United Nations headquarters in New York. He answered some of our questions about the event and the diet here:
What was the U.N.’s Mediterranean Diet A Living Heritage, Unleashing One Health event?
In alignment with the United Nations’ mission to promote global health and sustainability, the event at the U.N. headquarters aimed to raise awareness of the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, both for individuals and the environment. By bringing together scientists, and cultural leaders, the event highlighted how the principles of the Mediterranean diet contribute to longevity, the prevention of chronic diseases, and environmental sustainability, calling for urgent action to integrate these principles into global public policy and food sustainability strategies.
What is the Mediterranean diet and what are its benefits?
The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high consumption of local fruits and vegetables, cereals, legumes, extra virgin olive oil, nuts, a moderate intake of fish, and a low intake of dairy products and meat products. Epidemiological studies and randomized controlled trials suggest that the Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.
The traditional Mediterranean diet emphasizes nutrient-dense foods and encourages natural physical activity, contributing to its health benefits at any age. According to my research, adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced medication use and has been inversely linked to depressive symptoms. Research on the effects of this dietary pattern on aging continues to expand, with new discoveries emerging.
What are you learning about the Mediterranean diet and mitochondrial function?
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of our cells, but as we age, their function declines, contributing to chronic diseases. While research on diet and aging is growing, the specific impact of the Mediterranean diet on mitochondrial function remains underexplored.
Preliminary data from my work with Pinchas Cohen, Dean of the USC Leonard Davis School suggests that, in an Italian cohort of older adults, adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with higher levels of Humanin and SHMOOSE, two mitochondrial microproteins linked to longevity, cardioprotection, and neuroprotection. These findings suggest that the Mediterranean diet may not only help prevent disease but could also potentially target age-related mitochondrial dysfunction, making mitochondrial microproteins potential biomarkers for personalized nutrition interventions and for assessing individual responses to the Mediterranean diet.
How did your experience at the U.N. align with USC’s commitment to promoting sustainability?
My experience at the U.N. headquarters perfectly aligned with USC’s commitment to promoting sustainability. Being invited to represent Italy and the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the UN headquarters in New York was both an honor and an invaluable experience. It was an exceptional opportunity to present our cutting-edge research to an esteemed audience that included representatives from the Italian government and U.N. members from various countries.
The Mediterranean diet has evolved into a global movement, and I am very happy to be collaborating with Stefano Pisani, the Mayor of Pollica in Cilento, Italy—where the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet were first described—to bring this dietary pattern to the international stage. Sharing our findings in such a prestigious forum highlighted our collective commitment to advancing human and planetary health addressing issues of diet, longevity, and sustainability on a global scale.
Learn more by listening to Vicinanza’s episode on our Lessons in Lifespan Health podcast.
Instructional Associate Professor Roberto Vicinanza
