Lifestyle
Go Mediterranean with the Mediterranean Diet
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May 24, 2009 - 7:03:00 AM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Go Mediterranean with the Mediterranean Diet. While we don't have to eat all the foods all the time, we can eat many of the foods much of the time. Why am I suggesting this? Because research has consistently shown that the eating patterns of the Mediterranean Diet offer major health benefits, but let me add, what a way to get healthy!

Why am I so excited about the Mediterranean way of eating? Well, after I returned from Sicily (the homeland of my grandparents), which is at the heart of the Mediterranean, all I thought about was the allure of the food; the aromas, textures, and unbelievable tastes. Each meal was an event! Since then, I've made several changes to my own eating, not just for my health, but for the joy of food. This week, let's review the merits of the Mediterranean Diet. I am convinced that we can become healthier, maintain our weight and enjoy ourselves at the same time!

Why is this way of eating considered so healthy? Well, first it's been established scientifically that dietary patterns strongly influence the development of the major risk factors for chronic disease. These diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer affect how well we live. That is, they affect the quality of our life; they affect how we feel physically and emotionally, not just how long we live. When we change our eating patterns and foundation of eating, we do affect how well we live our lives. Let's consider the research.

The Merits

Research consistently indicates that the Mediterranean Diet can,

Reduce several cardiovascular risk factors (considered a primary prevention) and/or reduce cardiovascular events or mortality in those of us patients after a first cardiac event (considered a secondary prevention). The reduction of risk factors include lowered high cholesterol levels, hypertension, diabetes and obesity, all that lead to coronary heart disease (isn't pasta so tasty?). One major reason for weight loss may be that the satiety center for carbohydrates in our brain becomes satisfied from pasta, so fast foods, and junk cravings are reduced.

Play a role in cancer prevention. While these eating patterns are not a "diet", they include vital nutrients that are known to fight cancer, such as antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. In one study reported in the latest Global Perspective of Cancer Research, the Mediterranean Diet was associated with a reduced colorectal cancer recurrence in women for instance. We're talking veggies, fruits, legumes, and small amounts of cheeses and dairy.

Increase our lifespan. Research has shown an overall reduction of mortality, not only from these chronic diseases Americans are plagued by such as heart disease, but science has consistently shown a reduction of overall mortality rates. Don't we think that this is important not only to our longevity, but to our anti-aging health & wellness too?

Reduce Inflammation. New research indicates that Olive Oil, a major component of the Mediterranean Diet eaten daily over a period of time, may confer anti-inflammatory benefits similar to Ibuprofen (active ingredient in Advil). This may contribute to the anti-inflammatory benefits important to our cardiovascular system (similar to a baby aspirin taken daily). It may also play a key role in the reduction of early dementia thought to be a component of cognitive decline in aging and it may play a similar role in Alzheimer's prevention. The mediterranean way of eating includes lots of fish, versus red meat, which also may play a role in inflammatory disease.

Lower our risk for insulin resistance and type II diabetes. Of course I overindulged on desserts in Sicily, but overall, the eating patterns of the Mediterranean people consist of fresh whole foods and less of the nutrient-less sugar snacks than we Americans partake in. Let's also not forget the role that the fast foods we eat play in obesity, insulin resistance and the onset of type II diabetes. Fast food is definitely not a way of life in the Mediterranean (and we don't have to slave over a stove either!)!

Okay, just what is the Mediterranean Diet? It consists of an eating pattern dominated by plant based foods, and low in processed foods; it includes the monounsaturated fat Olive Oil rather than butter and other vegetable oils; it includes fresh fish eaten regularly rather than red meat, which is eaten less frequently; it includes legumes, pasta, whole grains (all the carbohydrates we love but avoid), and a high intake of fruits and vegetables with a small amount of daily yogurt and cheeses. Oh lest I forget, it does include a moderate amount of wine with meals.

Thanks once again to the nonprofit organization Oldways for bringing the Mediterranean to us. I think that we can begin this month and beyond to add more of these foods to our diet, including a healthy lean grill for this Memorial Day. Look for recipes, a food pyramid, more info and even enter a Med Diet Recipe contest here at http://www.oldwayspt.org:80/med_contest.html ! And as I've mentioned, oh what a way to get healthy!

June M. Lay M.S.
June Fit
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Source for info once again on grilling: American Institute for Cancer Research.

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June is Lifestyle Editor at www.healthnewsdigest.com/



Sources:
Denis Lairon; Intervention studies on Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular risk, Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, Volume 51, Issue 10 , Pages1209 - 1214
Copyright © 2007
Ursel Wahrburg, Mario Kratz, Paul Cullen ; Mediterranean diet, olive oil and health, European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology., Volume 104, Issue 9-10 , Pages 698 -705 © 2002
Beauchamp, et.al., Ibuprofen-like activity in extra virgin olive oil, Monell Chemical Senses Center, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and Department of Chemistry. University of Pennsylvania, reported in Brief Communications Nature Vol 437, September 2005
Antonia Trichopoulou, Vardis Dilis ;Olive oil and longevity, Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, Volume 51, Issue 10 , Pages1275 - 1278. Copyright © 2007
World Cancer Research Fund/AICR, The Mediterranean Diet, Judgments and Evidence, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer a Global Perspective 2007

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