Good Fats for Life! Mediterranean diet leads to less risk of chronic disease and death.
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
The better you stick to a Mediterranean diet the less likely you are to die of heart disease, have or die of cancer, and interestingly enough, develop Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s. This, according to a meta-analysis study published in the BMJ this month.
We already knew the diet could lower glucose, but the BMJ study looked at the bottom line of bottom lines–death–and found good news, as well as pleasant surprises.
The investigators analyzed 12 past studies, ranging from three to 18 years in length, with over 1.5 million participants. The more the adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the better the outcomes in the study. What is the Mediterranian diet, you ask? Healthhabits blog has an excellent explanation.
I like meta-analysis studies because they take a bunch of previous studies on a subject to see if they can come to any common conclusions. This study reiterates my belief that this is a good diet to follow. It’s hard to argue with mortality rates.
The researchers didn’t look at any other diets, so we can draw no conclusions, good or bad, about these. I still say, if it works for you …. As for me, I am going Mediterranean.
What do you think?
Tags: Alzheimer's, diets, Parkinson's
September 19th, 2008 at 11:31 am
What do I think? I put a lot of thought into this study and blogged about it at my healthy lifestyle blog centered on the Mediterranean diet.
Here’s the link to my blog post:
http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/?p=70
-Steve Parker, M.D.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Thanks for the comment, Dr. Parker.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Thanks for the info. I try to eat as close to the MEd diet as I can. I like eating that way. I just feel better.
Blakes last blog post..Kids and Healthy Eating
September 19th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I reported on another study last week linking the Mediterranean diet to reductions in asthma and hay fever in Mexican children. Here’s the link:
http://snurl.com/3rxeq
Clearly, the Mediterranean diets has multiple benefits, especially if incorporated at an early age.
Miz Lizs last blog post..Move Your Body
September 19th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Much of my diet is similar. It is hard to argue with the results. Nice post…thank you!
Mark Salinass last blog post..One Step at a Time
September 19th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Mark and Blake, It’s really a delicious way to eat. I’m not 100 percent either.
September 19th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Thanks Miz Liz,
sure seems like a good diet for most everyone, doesn’t it?
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 am
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