There’s now a consensus on the value of the Mediterranean diet to prevent coronary heart disease and cancer.

Researchers at Université de Grenoble in La Tronche, France summarize the research.

• In contrast to using drugs (including cholesterol lowering), the Mediterranean diet has a striking effect on survival.
• The main explanation is that it protects not only against heart disease and cancers but also other chronic diseases.
• The Mediterranean diet is effective at reducing atherosclerosis and the risk of fatal complications (ie, sudden cardiac death and heart failure) of atherosclerosis.
• Unlike drugs, no harmful side effect is associated with the adoption of this dietary pattern.

The bottom line?
Many micro- and macronutrients in the Mediterranean diet interact to enhance resistance to chronic diseases.

10/29/08 21:58 JR