Mediterranean Diet Better than Low Fat Diet?

Are you tired of the food pyramid? I know I am, but let's consider it one more time. We know that people in the Mediterranean have a lower death rate from heart disease than people in the developed countries of the West.

Is the Mediterranean diet responsible for the lower cardiac related death rates in that part of the world?
A recent study found that patients on a Mediterranean diet had a more significant reduction in their blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels than those who were on a more traditional low-fat diet.
A Mediterranean diet has large amounts of olive oil, nuts, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. It includes a larger amount of fat, but these are the unsaturated or "healthy" fats. In this study, 770 adults with diabetes or 3 or more other risk factors for heart disease were divided into three groups. One group had more olive oil in the diet, another had more nuts in the diet, and the third had a low amount of all fats. After 3 months, the first 2 groups had lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels than the group that was on the low fat diet. They were also able to maintain the diet better than the low-fat group.

Bottom line: if you can't be in the Mediterranean, you may want to consider eating as if you were in the Mediterranean. Although this study does not address the effect of the diet on lower cardiac death rates, it does indicate that the diet may reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Other factors that may contribute to a lower heart disease in that region are more physical activity and a better social support network.

Reference: Annals of Internal Medicine 4 July 2006 Volume 145 Issue 1 Pages 1-11.
Photo: courtesy of Mediterranean Meals.
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