Bioactive Nutritional Components Within the Planetary Health Diet for Preventing Sarcopenic Obesity and Diabetic Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review

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#sarcopenia #humans #obesity #diet-healthy #animals

Bioactive Nutritional Components Within the Planetary Health Diet for Preventing Sarcopenic Obesity and Diabetic Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review

Elvina et al., 2025 | Nutrients | Systematic Review

Citation

Elvina Lia, Chen Chiao-Ming, ... Li Sing-Chung. Bioactive Nutritional Components Within the Planetary Health Diet for Preventing Sarcopenic Obesity and Diabetic Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2025-Nov-22;17(23). doi:10.3390/nu17233656

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) and diabetic sarcopenia (DS) represent overlapping metabolic-musculoskeletal disorders characterized by the coexistence of excessive adiposity, insulin resistance, and progressive muscle wasting. The Planetary Health Diet (PHD), proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission, emphasizes plant-forward, nutrient-dense, and environmentally sustainable food patterns that may concurrently address metabolic and muscle health. This review aimed to systematically evaluate dietary and bioactive nutritional interventions aligned with the PHD and their effects on muscle mass, strength, metabolism, and underlying mechanisms in SO and DS. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, studies published between 2015 and 2025 were identified across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies included dietary, nutritional, or supplement-based interventions reporting muscle-related outcomes in obesity- or diabetes-associated conditions. RESULTS: Ninety-one eligible studies were categorized into plant-derived, animal/marine-based, microorganism/fermented, synthetic/pharmaceutical, and environmental interventions. Across diverse models, bioactive compounds such as D-pinitol, umbelliferone, resveratrol, GABA, ginseng, whey peptides, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids consistently improved muscle mass, strength, and mitochondrial function via AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α and Akt-mTOR signaling. These mechanisms promoted mitochondrial biogenesis, suppressed proteolysis (MuRF1, Atrogin-1), and enhanced insulin sensitivity, antioxidant capacity, and gut-muscle communication. CONCLUSIONS: PHD-aligned foods combining plant proteins, polyphenols, and fermented products strengthen nutrient sensing, mitochondrial efficiency, and cellular resilience, representing a sustainable nutritional framework for preventing and managing SO and DS.

Key Findings

Ninety-one eligible studies were categorized into plant-derived, animal/marine-based, microorganism/fermented, synthetic/pharmaceutical, and environmental interventions. Across diverse models, bioactive compounds such as D-pinitol, umbelliferone, resveratrol, GABA, ginseng, whey peptides, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids consistently improved muscle mass, strength, and mitochondrial function via AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α and Akt-mTOR signaling. These mechanisms promoted mitochondrial biogenesis, supp

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Sarcopenia
  • Humans
  • Obesity
  • Diet, Healthy
  • Animals
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Diabetes Mellitus

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: resveratrol

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09