In the 1950s, researchers found that the adult life expectancy for people living in the Mediterranean regions (Crete, part of Greece, Southern Italy, and other countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea) was among the highest in the world. They also found that rates of coronary heart disease , certain cancers, and some other diet-related chronic diseases in this region were among the lowest in the world.
The health of the Mediterranean people did not appear to be due to existing medical services, which were limited at that time. But the researchers found that the Mediterranean people had something in common that might be contributing to their good health—their dietary patterns. These dietary patterns share characteristics that have been associated with low rates of chronic diseases and long life expectancies in many studies conducted throughout the world.
There is no one typical Mediterranean diet. Many countries border the Mediterranean Sea and variations in the Mediterranean diet exist between these countries. However, according to the American Heart Association, traditional Mediterranean diets have the following characteristics in common:
The American diet is characterized by:
Unlike the typical American diet, the traditional Mediterranean diet is high in fiber and low in saturated fat. However, the Mediterranean diet is not necessarily low in total fat. But, the types of fats emphasized in the Mediterranean diet are "healthy" monounsaturated fats, like those found in olive oil, which do not raise cholesterol levels.
The traditional Mediterranean diet has been illustrated in a Mediterranean diet pyramid developed by researchers at Harvard and Oldways, a nonprofit education organization that promotes alternatives to unhealthy eating styles of industrialized countries. The pyramid is arranged in the following way:
Alongside the pyramid, water and wine are featured. Stay hydrated throughout the day with water, and drink wine in moderation (two drinks per day for men, and one drink per day for women).
There has been a lot of research on the potential health benefits of following the Mediterranean diet. According to the latest studies, this diet may:
It is important to remember, though, that other factors can affect these benefits. For example, people who follow the Mediterranean diet may have a lower risk of cancer because of other lifestyle factors or their environment.
How can you eat more authentically Mediterranean? Here are some tips from the Oldways website:
Research suggests that the Mediterranean diet is a healthful and pleasing alternative to the American diet. But will the diet alone significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and increase your longevity? Researchers point out that the low incidence of heart disease and low death rate in the Mediterranean countries may be due, in part, to other lifestyle factors, such as more physical activity and extended social support systems. Relaxing in the sun on the Amalfi Coast probably does not hurt either!
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Digestive Health Foundation
http://www.cdhf.ca/index.html
Dietitians of Canada
http://www.dietitians.ca/
References:
Albert CM, Oh K, et al. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid intake and risk of sudden cardiac death and coronary heart disease. Circulation. 2005;112:3232-3238.
de Lorgeril M, Salen P. The Mediterranean-style diet for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Public Health Nutr. 2006;9(1A):118-123.
de Lorgeril M, Salen P, Martin JL, Monjaud I, Delaye J, Mamelle N. Mediterranean diet, traditional risk factors, and rate of cardiovascular complications after myocardial infarction. Circulation. 1999;99:779-785.
de Lorgeril M, Salen P. The Mediterranean diet in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Clin Invest Med. 2006;29:154-158.
Depression. World Health Organization website. Available at http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/definition/en/ . Accessed October 9, 2009.
DynaMed Editorial Team. Mediterranean diet. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated June 17, 2010. Accessed June 21, 2010.
Eat yourself happy? Mediterranean diet link to less depression. Guardian.Co.UK website. Available at http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/2009/oct/06/eat-yourself-happy-mediterranean-diet-link-to-less-depression . Published October 6, 2009. Accessed October 9, 2009.
International Task Force for Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease Website. 2000 consensus statement: dietary fat, the Mediterranean diet and lifelong good health. Available at http://www.chd-taskforce.com/2000consensusstatement/index_e.htm . Accessed December 20, 2002.
Mayo Clinic. Mediterranean diet: Choose this heart healthy diet option. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mediterranean-diet/CL00011/NSECTIONGROUP=2. Updated June 19, 2010. Accessed June 21, 2010.
McManus K, Antinoro L, Sacks F. A randomized controlled trial of a moderate-fat, low-energy diet compared with a low-fat, low-energy diet for weight loss in overweight adults. Int J of Obesity. 2001;25:1503-1511.
Mediterranean diet. American Heart Association website. Available at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4644 . Accessed June 21, 2010.
Mediterranean diet pyramid. Oldways website. Available at http://www.oldwayspt.org . Accessed December 23, 2002.
Oldways. What is the Mediterranean diet pyramid? Oldways website. Available at: http://www.oldwayspt.org/mediterranean-diet-pyramid. Accessed June 21, 2010.
7/22/2008 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Shai I, Schwarzfuchs D, Henkin Y, et al. Weight loss with a low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or low-fat diet. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:229-241.
1/13/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Salas-Salvadó J, Fernández-Ballart J, Ros E, et al. Effect of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts on metabolic syndrome status: one-year results of the PREDIMED randomized trial. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168:2449-2458.
10/9/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Sánchez-Villegas A, Delgado-Rodríguez M, Alonso A, et al. Association of the Mediterranean dietary pattern with the incidence of depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2009;66:1090.
Last reviewed June 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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