INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUTRITION AND DNA MARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH HEART HEALTH IN MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Nutritional habits play a crucial role in modulating cardiovascular health, particularly among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Emerging evidence suggests that diet-induced epigenetic modifications may influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by altering the expression of genes associated with metabolic regulation and inflammation. This study examines the relationship between dietary patterns and specific DNA methylation markers associated with cardiovascular health in middle-aged adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Using a cross-sectional design, dietary intake was assessed through validated food frequency questionnaires, and peripheral blood samples were analyzed for DNA methylation at key loci related to cardiovascular risk (e.g., ABCA1, NOS3, IL6, LINE-1). Multivariate regression models, adjusted for confounders such as age, sex, BMI, medication, and physical activity, were employed to examine the associations. Results indicated that adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet was inversely associated with methylation at pro-inflammatory genes and positively associated with protective cardiovascular markers. These findings highlight the potential of dietary interventions as non-pharmacological tools to modulate epigenetic signatures and mitigate cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) populations. Our study highlights the urgent need to integrate epigenetic considerations into nutritional guidelines for diabetes management and CVD prevention.