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Mediterranean Diet Cuts Heart Disease Risk, Study Finds. February 25, 2013 New York Times Gina Kolata. What is the Mediterranean Diet?. Eating primarily plant-based foods. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts. Replacing butter with olive oil or canola oil.
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Mediterranean Diet Cuts Heart Disease Risk, Study Finds February 25, 2013 New York Times Gina Kolata
What is the Mediterranean Diet? • Eating primarily plant-based foods. • Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts. • Replacing butter with olive oil or canola oil. • Using herbs and spices instead of salt to add flavor to food. • Limiting red meat to a few times a month. • Eating fish and poultry at least twice a week. • Drinking red wine in moderation (optional).
University of Barcelona • Previous studies showed that people from Mediterranean countries had lower rates of heart disease. • Scientists randomly assigned 7,447 people ages 55-80 in Spain who were at high risk for heart disease. • Mediterranean diet (2/3) • Low-fat diet (1/3) • To assess compliance • Measured urine for olive oil consumption (hydroxytyrosol). • Measured blood for nut consumption (alpha-linolenic acid)
Results • Participants were counseled about diet and regularly met with dieticians. • Low-fat diet was hard to maintain. • Most participants didn’t lower fat intake that much. • They changed the study and compared Mediterranean diet to modern diet. • Mediterranean diet was accurately followed by almost all participants.
Results • 30% of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease can be prevented in people at high risk by following the Mediterranean diet. • Magnitude of diets benefits were astonishing to scientists. • Also found to reduce risk of: • Cancer and cancer mortality • Incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease • More research needs to be done to establish benefits for low-risk. • Childhood
Costs • Modern diet: $10 per day • Mediterranean diet: $16 per day • Cost of a heart attack: • Severe: $1,000,000 • Less severe: $760,000 • Charges for hospitals, doctors, prescription drugs and time away from work. • Average person pays $878 per year for societal costs of heart disease.
References • http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505146_162-39940799/how-much-would-a-heart-attack-cost-you/ • http://www.mediterraneanbook.com/2010/02/27/cost-eat-mediterranean/ • http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/heart-disease-medical-costs • http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mediterranean-diet/CL00011 • http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/health/mediterranean-diet-can-cut-heart-disease-study-finds.html?pagewanted=1&ref=health