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Why a Mediterranean Diet?
What are the key aspects of the Mediterranean diet? Dietary data from parts of the Mediterranean region have enjoyed the lowest recorded rates of chronic diseases and the highest adult life expectancy. Surprisingly, the Mediterranean diet contains higher levels of fat intake than even the typical western diet. However, the primary source of fat in this diet is made up of omega-3 essential fats and monounsaturated fats. To see a list of Mediterranean foods, click here. A great source for Omega-3's from fish are from Vital Choice Products. And be sure to check out the Vital Choice Specials. 
Both of the omega-3 essential fats and monounsaturated fats have actually been shown to lower total cholesterol along with LDL (bad cholesterol). In fact, 20% to 30% of the calories in the Mediterranean diet come from these fats, while less than 10% of the calories come from saturated fat. This group of foods contains almost no fat from trans-fats. 
This lifestyle diet is loaded with fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts which contain the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that are critical for optimal health. That stubborn belly fat which can be addressed as metabolic syndrome is characterized by an expanding waist line, increasing blood pressure, poor lipid pattern, increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. It is the underlying problem of the obesity and diabetes epidemic that modern civilization faces today. On top of that, people with metabolic syndrome have increased inflammation in their arteries along with dysfunction and damage to the very fine lining of their blood vessels. Over 25% of the population in the US and Canada already have the metabolic syndrome and another 25% are well on their way to developing it. The lead study in a JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), October 2004 article, investigated 180 patients who had the metabolic syndrome. They divided these individuals into two groups. One group was placed on the Mediterranean diet and the other ate the typical American diet. Both of these groups had similar activity levels and received similar instruction on healthy living. They followed these two groups were followed closely over the next two years. After 2 years, the patients on the Mediterranean diet were experiencing these results: In fact, nearly half of this group actually reversed their insulin resistance and their metabolic syndrome. They also had a significant reduction in the inflammation of their arteries.
The other study investigated the effects of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle factors on healthful aging. In the industrialized countries, about 75% of deaths in individuals over the age of 65 are due to either cardiovascular disease or cancer. Numerous studies show that diet and lifestyle are directly linked to these degenerative diseases, regardless of predisposing factors. People in this 10-year study who ate a Mediterranean-style diet, exercised moderately, limited their alcohol intake, and did not smoke or who had not smoked for at least 15 years, lived longer, healthier lives. In fact, they had over a 50% decrease in deaths from all causes of death,including cardiovascular disease and cancer. These findings were true, even in elderly subjects who made these healthy lifestyle changes. In 1994 the Lyon Heart Study evaluated the effect of a Mediterranean diet on heart disease. More than 600 patients who had a heart attack were randomly selected to eat either a traditional American Heart Association diet or a Mediterranean-style diet. 
The Mediterranean-style diet used fish and poultry as the major sources of protein and was high in plant foods including fruits, vegetables, beans, bread, olive oil and nuts. The diet guidelines called for less meat, butter and cream. The study used a specially prepared spread that contained alpha linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid). After only four years, the results of the Lyon Heart Study showed a significant difference in coronary events (heart attacks and stroke) in the groups who ate the Mediterranean diet versus the American Heart Association diet. The rate of coronary events was reduced by 73 percent, and deaths were reduced by 70 percent in the Mediterranean-style group. More recently, a study was published examining more than 22,000 adults in Greece and their adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet. The data showed that the Greeks who had a high degree of adherence to the diet had a significantly lower total death rate, and fewer deaths from heart disease and cancer. Healthy Lifestyles do Make a DifferenceAs the research pours in, more and more individuals are deciding to become proactive in protecting their health before becoming ill rather than reacting with drugs after the onset of serious disease.But it is so easy to get confused and overwhelmed about exactly what needs to be done to protect and improve overall health. Most physicians are of very little help, since they are so disease-oriented and drug-oriented. This forces patients to try to seek out solid, effective medical advice elsewhere. Unfortunately, you will not be taught the Mediterranean-style diet in most hospitals or dietitian's office today. And you are very unlikely to hear about pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplementation, which is perhaps the most important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. When you add pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplementation to the Mediterranean-style diet and exercise you can reverse the metabolic syndrome nearly 90% of the time. Even diabetics are able to control their diabetes better—and many of them are able to totally reverse their diabetes when they incorporate these healthy lifestyles. It’s not difficult to do… if you have someone to show you the way. The medical evidence just keeps getting stronger and stronger. A Mediterranean Diet Program is truly the answer to the diabetes and obesity epidemic and also to release belly fat. It is also the key to healthy aging. Give yourself the absolute best chance to protect or regain your health. Return to Home Page from Mediterranean Diet
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