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Integrative Strategies for Preventing and Managing Metabolic Syndrome: The Impact of Exercise and Diet on Oxidative Stress Reduction—A Review
Ana Onu, Daniela Marilena Trofin, Andrei Tutu, Ilie Onu, Anca‐Irina Galaction, Dragos-Petrica Sardaru, Dan Trofin, Cristiana Amalia Onita et al.. Life, 2025-05-08
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic inflammation, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Effective management of MetS is critical, with exercise being a key intervention. This review analyzed the effects of different exercise intensities-low, moderate, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)-on metabolic health, oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and cardiovascular function. A search of Medline, PEDro, and EBSCO identified 2251 articles, with 159 studies published between 1999 and 2025 included after screening. Low-intensity exercise improved insulin sensitivity, reduced OS markers (e.g., MDA, 8-OHdG), and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity. Moderate-intensity exercise showed similar benefits with notable reductions in inflammatory markers (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α). HIIT promoted fat loss and improved metabolic markers but temporarily increased OS and inflammation. Dietary strategies also play a critical role. The Mediterranean diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets are well established, emphasizing nutrient-dense foods like unsaturated fats and fiber to reduce inflammation and manage weight. The ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat, low-carbohydrate approach, has recently gained attention for its metabolic benefits. KD induces ketosis, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing triglycerides, and enhancing fat oxidation. Studies show KD effectively reduces body weight and glucose levels, though long-term adherence and nutrient deficiencies remain challenges. Intermittent fasting also showed potential benefits, though effects on glucose metabolism were inconsistent. This review underscores the need for tailored approaches combining exercise, diet, and fasting to optimize MetS outcomes, offering integrative strategies for prevention and management.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Onu, A., Trofin, D. M., Tutu, A., Onu, I., Galaction, A., Sardaru, D.-P., et al. (2025). Integrative Strategies for Preventing and Managing Metabolic Syndrome: The Impact of Exercise and Diet on Oxidative Stress Reduction—A Review. Life. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15050757
Vancouver
Onu A, Trofin DM, Tutu A, Onu I, Galaction A, Sardaru D.-P, et al. Integrative Strategies for Preventing and Managing Metabolic Syndrome: The Impact of Exercise and Diet on Oxidative Stress Reduction—A Review. Life. 2025. doi:10.3390/life15050757. PMID: 40430185.
BibTeX
@article{onu2025-40430185,
author = {Onu, Ana and Trofin, Daniela Marilena and Tutu, Andrei and Onu, Ilie and Galaction, Anca‐Irina and Sardaru, Dragos-Petrica and Trofin, Dan and Onita, Cristiana Amalia and others},
title = {{Integrative Strategies for Preventing and Managing Metabolic Syndrome: The Impact of Exercise and Diet on Oxidative Stress Reduction—A Review}},
journal = {Life},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.3390/life15050757},
pmid = {40430185},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/life15050757}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic inflammation, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Why it matters
This review is about exercise and diet in metabolic syndrome, not Alzheimer's disease. It reports that low and moderate intensity exercise improved insulin sensitivity and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, while high-intensity interval training temporarily increased oxidative stress and inflammation.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 40/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Life) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Life: journal h-index 109 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 3 / 7 | Cited 27 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 9.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 8.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 27 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 0 / 4 | Last-listed author Daniela-Viorelia Matei: h-index 4 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy: institution h-index 205 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40430185) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 40 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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