More Mediterranean Diet News

Medical News: Alcohol Top ‘Active Ingredient’ in Mediterranean Diet – in Primary Care, Diet & Nutrition from MedPage Today

Moderate alcohol intake may be the single biggest contributor to the Mediterranean diet’s longevity benefit, accounting for 23.5% of the effect in a prospective cohort study.

“My advice to people is drink wine unless you like it too much,” Dr. Trichopoulos said.

Lifestyle Matters in DM2

Arch Intern Med — Abstract: Lifestyle Risk Factors and New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study, April 27, 2009, Mozaffarian et al. 169 (8): 798

  • Exercise level above the median

  • Better diet as defined by a higher fiber intake, higher polyunsaturated to saturated fat ratio, lower trans-fat intake and lower mean glycemic index

  • Never smoked

  • Light or moderate alcohol use

  • BMI <25

  • Waist circumference of 88 cm for women or 92 cm for men

Red Yeast Rice – Some Promising News

Red Yeast Rice to Treat Cholesterol Problems in Patients Who Cannot Tolerate Statin Therapy Because of Muscle Pain — 150 (12): I-28 — Annals of Internal Medicine

This is a very small study involving just 62 patients with elevated cholesterol levels.  The results however, are promising with an average decrease in LDL levels of 35mg/dl versus patients receiving a placebo.

Click here to read the Mayo Clinic article explaining Red Yeast Rice.