Discussion of the Mediterranean diet has been popular in the media for years.  The results of a multi-center study of the diet, the PREDIMED, were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  There were 7,447 participants studied between 2003 and 2011.  Three diet variations were studied.  Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil,  Mediterranean diet supplemented with tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts), and a low fat diet.  After five years the two Mediterranean diets showed a highly significant 30% reduction in the risk of suffering a cardiovascular death, a myocardial infarction or a stroke compared to the low fat diet.  This study runs directly contrary to the commonly held belief that low fat diets are better to protect the cardiovascular system.  It does suggest that the type of fats are important.

--Dave

Ramón Estruch, Emilio Ros, Jordi Salas-Salvadó, Maria-Isabel Covas, D.Pharm., Dolores Corella, Fernando Arós, Enrique Gómez-Gracia, Valentina Ruiz-Gutiérrez, Miquel Fiol, José Lapetra, Rosa Maria Lamuela-Raventos, Lluís Serra-Majem, Xavier Pintó, Josep Basora, Miguel Angel Muñoz, José V. Sorlí, José Alfredo Martínez, Miguel Angel Martínez-González. Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet. New England Journal of Medicine, 2013

Photo by Dave Hutt, www.dmddigitalphoto.com

Xylitol is a  good substitute for table sugar (sucrose), tasting good with little or no aftertaste.  The very low glycemic index (stimulates insulin production very little) makes it a very attractive sweetener for diabetics and people with metabolic syndrome.  It is not an artificial sweetener, having been derived from birch bark.  It interferes with tooth cavity bacteria activity and even seems to aid remineralization of teeth.  Besides tooth bacteria, it also inhibits other bacteria in the ears and respiratory tract. Studies have not shown toxicity in humans, even at very high consumption levels.  There may be a mild laxative effect in some people as shown in a study of children consuming more than 2 ounces per day.  Adults have consumed as much as a pound in a day with no ill effect.

If you decide to use xylitol, be aware that it is toxic to dogs.

--Dave

The Gallup Wellbeing Survey is an ongoing project tracking the health and wellbeing of Americans over time.  Part of what they track is self reported obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.  In summary, they are tracking metabolic syndrome.  It is very predictive for cardiovascular disease among other disease consequences.  The states with the highest rates of obesity were West Virginia and Mississippi with 33.5% and 32.2% respectively.  The lowest obesity rates were in Colorado and Massachusetts with 18.7% and 21.5% respectively.  The average rate is 26.2% for the US.  This is all self reported.  In general, the same high obesity states also had high rates of diabetes and hypertension.  Keep in mind that obesity, when self reported, is significantly underestimated.  

Obesity now surpasses smoking and alcohol abuse as a major health problem.  We are getting fatter and suffering the associated health consequences.

--Dave

http://www.gallup.com/poll/160892/coloradans-least-obese-west-virginians-third-year.aspx?utm_source=tagrss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=syndication

I read widely in the scientific literature.  Of course, it is in areas that interest me.
I try to be careful that I discern good science from bad.  That is why I pay particular attention
to the thoughts of good scientists who exhaustively review literature with an effort to avoid personal bias.  I have been enjoying a recent book, Perfect Health Diet, by two Ph.D’s that were stimulated to investigate why they had health problems.  Neither is directly involved with healthcare, one being an astrophysicist and the other a molecular biologist.  They came to the conclusion. based on 5 years of sifting through both good and bad science, that essentially the so called “paleolithic diet” is the correct approach.  I must admit that I had come to that belief as well based on much less science and more on observation of myself and my patients.  Essentially, limiting grains, simple sugars, and dairy products have made a big difference for me, my family, and other people that I know.  It took me a very long time, over 30 years, to do that.
I am enjoying the information gathered in this book.  Yes, it does agree with my bias.  But, if someone else agrees with my opinion, it must be correct.  (wink)

--Dave



“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”
― Hippocrates