HealthCare News
Live Longer On Mediterranean DietIn the current issue of JAMA , there are two reports about the benefits of a Mediterranean diet. In the first study, more than 2,000 men and women ages 70 to 90 in 11 European countries were followed for more than 10 years. Adhering to a Mediterranean diet plus moderate alcohol use, being physically active and not smoking were associated with a 50% lower risk of mortality(death) during the study. Lack of adherence to those 4 "risk-reducing parameters" was associated with 60% of the deaths. In the second study, which appropriately involved just Italians, a group of 180 persons diagnosed with the metabolic syndrome were assigned to follow the Mediterranean diet or what was described as a "prudent" diet. (The metabolic syndrome involves obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood glucose, high triglycerides, etc.-- all the features of prediabetes.) After 2 years, those following the Mediterranean diet had lost weight and had lower blood pressures, blood glucoses, cholesterol and triglycerides. Their vascular inflammation was also reduced, a good sign. Comment: A Mediterranean-style diet appears to be effective not only to reduce the symptoms of the metabolic syndrome (prediabetes) but also to reduce the chances that a person will die -- sooner -- rather than later. Barbara K. Hecht,Ph.D.
Frederick Hecht, M.D.
Medical Editors, MedicineNet.com Nutrition Links Read entire article... |
