1. Introduction
obesity, CVD, overweight, dyslipidemia, impaired fasting glycemia, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, diabetes
OBESITY, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES, CVD, DYSLIPIDEMIA, METABOLIC SYNDROME, ATHEROSCLEROSIS, TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS, DIABETES
Pre-obesity is a condition that predisposes to the risk of developing obesity, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and diabetes. Our previous study demonstrated that a Cynara cardunculus (L.) based nutraceutical named AltilixObesity is a significant CVD risk factor and the BMI cut-off point to define obesity is 30 kg/mVisceral fat accumulation is the first manifestation of pre-obesity status. Adipose tissue is not only an energy-storage organ, but it produces and secretes a variety of biologically active molecules known as adipocytokines. Dysregulation of adipocytokines caused by visceral fat accumulation is regarded as one of the major pathophysiological mechanisms of atherosclerosis associated with metabolic syndrome [In this context, functional foods and nutraceuticals have a wide range of applications. It is widely recognized that, due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of many natural substances, chronic consumption of nutraceuticals in every-day clinical practice can improve the outcome in patients with atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and dyslipidemia [On the other hand, a study has demonstrated the efficacy of Cynara extract (600 mg/day) already in overweight subjects with impaired fasting glycemia by reducing glycometabolic parameters [