Widely publicized evidence suggests that what you eat positively or negatively affects your internal and external health in a myriad of ways. To that end, specific diets are prescribed by health practitioners to address specific health problems. One such diet is the Mediterranean Diet, a plan based on the eating patterns of the coastal people in Italy and Greece. This pattern of eating has gained attention in the research community because the inhabitants of that area who adhere to it have the least recorded occurrences of cardiovascular disease.
Identification
The Mediterranean Diet as you know it refers to the diet of southern Italy, the island of Crete and most of Greece. These parts of the continent are home to fishing towns and a poorer population that subsists on a diet rich in fresh fish, red wine, cheese and yogurt, olive oil, little meat, and abundant fruit and vegetables. In the 1960s, Dr. Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health presented what is now known as the Mediterranean Diet as a viable option for reducing and preventing coronary heart disease.
U.S. Comparison
The Mediterranean Food Pyramid differs in structure and emphasis than its American counterpart. Daily recommendations for foods such as whole grains, legumes, olives, olive oil, wine, fruit and vegetables are located at the bottom of the pyramid. Fish, eggs and poultry are recommended a few times per week and are located the top of the pyramid. Red meat and sweets hold the smallest space at the pinnacle of the pyramid and are only suggested a few times per month.
Oil Consumption
At 25 to 35 percent of total intake, the Mediterranean Diet features a higher fat consumption than recommended to Americans. Olive oil is the preferred fat of the Mediterranean Diet and is used on a daily basis to prepare many meals. Olive oil contains many antioxidants and is high in oleic acid, which has been proven to reduce the risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Stroke
According to the National Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States Strokes happen when cranial blood vessels become blocked by clots or when they burst. These events can occur on a large or small scale and cause brain cells to die. The result of strokes generally is weakness in the extremities and sometimes permanent paralysis. High blood pressure coupled with obesity, smoking and a high cholesterol diet are major risk factors for stroke.
Implications
The Mediterranean diet is rich in monounsaturated fats and unrefined grains, and is low in sodium and red meats. The Lyon Diet Heart Study, a randomized prevention trial that is often cited, evaluated whether or not diet would affect the recurrence of heart attacks and their risk factors. Its conclusions showed that people who consumed the Mediterranean diet saw up to 70 percent reduced incidence of recurrent heart disease and its risk factors, which include stroke.
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