Mediterranean diet good for the heart

Mediterranean diet protects against metabolic syndrome

08/03/2011

Mediterranean diet has a positive effect on the metabolism and can prevent cardiovascular diseases. This is the conclusion reached by the research team headed by Demosthenes Panagiotakos from the Harokopio University in Athens as part of a comprehensive meta-study.

In particular, the effects of the Mediterranean diet on the metabolic syndrome as a decisive risk factor for coronary heart disease were the focus of research interest in the meta-analysis of 50 existing studies with a total of about half a million participants. Their findings have researchers around main author Demosthenes Panagiotakos in the latest issue of the US journal „Journal of The American College of Cardiology“ released. Thus, the Mediterranean diet clearly reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome, improves metabolism and prevents cardiovascular disease.

Mediterranean diet positive for metabolism and cardiovascular system
The typical Mediterranean diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, whole grain cereals, low-fat dairy products, little lean meat and fish, always accompanied by a little olive oil or occasionally a glass of wine brings, according to researchers to Demosthenes Panagiotakos numerous health benefits. For example, the high level of unsaturated fatty acids in olive oil is conducive to metabolism. In addition, the Mediterranean diet is generally positive for the four main symptoms of the metabolic syndrome - obesity, high blood pressure, altered blood lipid levels and insulin resistance - the scientists said in their recent article. According to the main author, the present meta-analysis is the first study that systematically discusses the positive effects of the Mediterranean diet on the metabolic syndrome.

Symptoms of metabolic syndrome
The metabolic syndrome describes a clinical picture that is characterized by the common occurrence of obesity, elevated blood lipid levels, an altered sugar metabolism and high blood pressure. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), features of a metabolic syndrome include diagnosed diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance with the simultaneous occurrence of two of the following: arterial hypertension, elevated blood lipid levels (dyslipidaemia), or visceral obesity (obesity). Cause is according to the experts usually a hypercaloric diet (overeating) with simultaneous lack of exercise. Especially in the industrialized countries, the metabolic syndrome is relatively widespread and is considered an essential factor for the significantly increased number of cardiovascular diseases. Also, a variety of other sequelae such as vascular calcification or strokes are related to the metabolic syndrome, so the statement of the experts. The Mediterranean diet, however, can significantly reduce the risk of a metabolic syndrome and also the individual factors such as obesity, blood lipid levels or high blood pressure can be positively influenced, the researchers of the Harokopio University in Athens report.

Numerous positive effects of Mediterranean diet
In science, the positive effects of Mediterranean diet have long been extensively discussed. As early as the late 1990s, a connection with cardiovascular disease was scientifically proven for the first time when heart attack patients were treated with two different diets as part of a study. One group received Mediterranean food according to the model of the so-called Cretan diet, the other group was able to eat what they liked. The results at that time were clear: The Crete subjects were subject to a significantly reduced risk of recurrent myocardial infarction compared to the control group, and overall health improved significantly. Comparing the various Mediterranean diets, several studies have proven in the past that the diet of the Greeks has the most positive effects on health. Unlike the Italians, for example, the Greeks are more likely to abstain from meat and fatty foods. Spaghetti Carbonara or Bolognese sauce with minced meat is traditionally not on the plate here, but instead light meals are often prepared with plenty of fish and olive oil or salads. (Fp)

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