-

“Mediterranean Diet Leads to Better Heart Health”



     Although as future dietitians, I think it's important to remain neutral concerning specific diets, it's hard to deny the amount of information supporting the Mediterranean diet and its benefits for a myriad of diseases. This article discusses the Mediterranean diet's ability to reverse Metabolic Syndrome, characterized by three or more of the following risk factors: Low HDL, high triglycerides, large waist, high blood pressure and high blood sugar.


     The research compared a low-fat diet to a Mediterranean diet (whole grains, vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes), supplemented with extra fats from either extra virgin olive oil or nuts. The research, which was conducted on 6,000 men and women at increased risk for heart disease in Spain, found that although the Mediterranean diet didn't reduce the chance of developing Metabolic Syndrome, it did increase the chance of reversing this syndrome compared to a low-fat diet.


          “Those on the Mediterranean diet with extra olive oil were 45 percent more likely than those            on the low-fat diet to reverse the condition and those on the Mediterranean diet supplemented            with nuts were 28 percent more likely to reverse metabolic syndrome, according to the study”


Additionally, the research found that 28% of the subjects had reversed their Metabolic Syndrome in a five year follow-up.

     This study is important for CNM's, as it provides another way to supply medical nutrition therapy for patients. Metabolic Syndrome is a prerequisite to heart disease and its reversal could prevent heart disease and the costs associated with treating it.

-ER


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you struggle with pre and post exercise nutrition?

-
Image
What should i eat before and after a workout? First things first…carbohydrates, proteins and fats are important for the body before  and after exercise. Exercising muscle preferentially uses carbohydrates from stored glycogen, but fats are also an important fuel source for energy production during exercise. Fats and carbohydrates are the two major fuel sources during exercise. Fats must be translocated and broken down from their storage form before they are used. Typically there is enough carbohydrate stored as muscle glycogen for exercise but as muscle glycogen stores decline, the skeletal muscle will then use some amino acids (basic components of all protein). More specifically, the amino acid leucine is used for energy.              It is important to consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates exercise to delay fatigue and minimize gastrointestinal distress. It is also important to consume enough fluids to prev...
Read more

Child Malnutrition

-
New approach to childhood malnutrition may reduce relapses, deaths http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211124024.htm               Moderate acute malnutrition is experienced by 35 million children worldwide. A new study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has suggested that feeding children until they have met target measures of arm circumference and weight may be more important than a set 12 week feeding time. However, researchers have found that the current targets, set by the World Health Organization (WHO) may not be sufficient and raising these targets slightly could significantly reduce the risk of relapse in malnourished children; a condition that has a 37% relapse rate. The study took place in rural Malawi and was comprised of 2,349 moderately malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Children were evaluated 12 months after treatment; 1,967 rec...
Read more

Harvest of the Month

-
Image
Harvest of the Month  August – Corn Good source of  fiber Carbohydrate source for energy Antioxidants Contains vitamins and minerals ½ cup or 1 ear = 80 calories   http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 September – Watermelon High in vitamin A and vitamin C Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support 1 cup cubed = 46 calories http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31 October – Apples High in fiber Vitamin C Abundant amount of antioxidants 1 medium = 95 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15 November – Squash and Pumpkin High in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, B3 & B6 Many minerals  High in fiber Multiple antioxidant properties  1 cup = 76 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=63 Decembe...
Read more