Relationship between Life’s Essential 8 and metabolic syndrome among older Americans (NHANES, 2007–2010): navigating biological aging and inflammation

Abstract

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global health concern, and it is particularly harmful to middle-aged and elderly individuals. Life Element Eight (LE8), a measure to improve cardiovascular health, may offer benefits for MetS. Herein, we examined the relationship between LE8 and MetS among middle-aged and elderly individuals, and elucidated the role of biological aging and inflammation in this process.MethodsWe obtained the LE8 scores of 2,901 Americans, along with their biological aging indicators (Biological age, Phenotypic age, Serum Klotho), and computed their inflammatory indicators SII, DII. Using logistic regression model, we assessed the association among inflammatory markers, Biological aging, LE8 and MetS. Additionally, we generated restricted cubic spline (RCS) plots to display trends in significant variables in logistic regression. Using parallel mediation analysis, we evaluated the possible mediating role of various factors in the risk relationship between LE8 and MetS.ResultsOur examination revealed that higher LE8 scores were associated with a lower incidence of MetS in a fully adjusted model. The high LE8 subgroup had a 79.73% reduction in the risk of MetS compared to the low subgroup with an OR = 0.2027 (95% Cl 0.0871, 0.4714), with similar correlations between health factor scores and MetS risk. Biological aging mediated the associations between LE8, health behaviors and health factor scores and MetS risk.ConclusionA rise in the LE8 score among middle-aged and elderly individuals is a protective factor for MetS, and this association may be partially mediated by biological aging, suggesting that LE8 may reduce the risk of MetS by ameliorating aging.