Groundbreaking research just published in the New England Journal of Medicine finds the Mediterranean Diet actually does significantly cut the risk for heart attack, strokes and death from heart disease. The diet is high in fish, nuts, fruits, veggies, olive oil and red wine.
This was the first, large, randomized clinical trial to evaluate the diet ‘s effect on cardiovascular risk and the results were so astounding they amazed the experts! What was particularly impressive from the 7,447 participants is that the diet lowered cardiovascular disease risk even though most who followed it were already on some drug to decrease their heart disease danger.
A surprising finding about cholesterol surfaced as well. The Mediterranean Diet lowered cholesterol the most, but was least ineffective for preventing heart attacks, stokes, etc. Cholesterol has traditionally been the culprit for critical disease but now the research points to “inflammation” not just high cholesterol. One researcher stated this explains the puzzle of why many people who have heart attacks or strokes have normal or even optimal cholesterol while other people with very high cholesterol never suffer these events.
Here is the diet outline for the study :
1. Eat white meat instead of red.
2. Eat fish and legumes (such as beans, lentils, peas at least 3 times a week).
3. Avoid sweet s such as sugary beverages and baked goods and limit consumption of dairy products and processed meats.
4. Those who drank alcohol were advised to have at least 7 glasses of red wine with meals per week (checking with a health care provider first).
5. Eat at least 3 servings of fruits and 2 serving of veggies daily.
6. Consume at least 4 tablespoons of extra virgin oil per day .
7. One ounce of mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds and hazel nuts daily).
So there you have it. Diet does affect health which most of the natural food enthusiasts already knew. The medical profession is just catching up!
