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News & ArtsTuesday, February 26, 2013
Chow Mediterranean-Diet Research Stuns Researchers, Leads to a Startling Percentage of High-Risk People Not Getting Heart Attacks and Dying
Posted by Christopher Frizzelle on Tue, Feb 26, 2013 at 11:35 AM
- Kelly O
- GORGEOUS GEORGE Eat and drink all this and you will not die.
Sounds familiar, right? You already knew about this study, right? Wrong.
The findings... were based on the first major clinical trial to measure the diet’s effect on heart risks. The magnitude of the diet’s benefits startled experts. The study ended early, after almost five years, because the results were so clear it was considered unethical to continue...
Until now, evidence that the Mediterranean diet reduced the risk of heart disease was weak, based mostly on studies showing that people from Mediterranean countries seemed to have lower rates of heart disease — a pattern that could have been attributed to factors other than diet.
Bethany Jean Clement, who is sitting next to me as I type, was just put on the spot for some Mediterranean-restaurant recommendations in Seattle. Off the top of her head:
• Golden Beetle, Maria Hines's restaurant in Ballard
• Vios on Capitol Hill and in Vios in Ravenna
• "People love Yanni's in Greenwood but I've never been there, and same with Gorgeous George's in Greenwood"
For a full list of Mediterranean restaurants recommended by The Stranger (and reviewed by our readers) CLICK ON THESE WORDS RIGHT HERE. Now I'm hungry. I wish Gorgeous George's were closer.
3
the only thing you need there is the fish part with a dusting of vegetables. ever thing else is just a lighter version of the unhealthy filler everyone already eats.
4
I figure if we can eat like people in Italy and Greece do, where the GDP is plummeting under forced German Austerity, to profit the Bankers in foreign countries, we'll live longer.
Serfs always do.
That said, you can substitute olive oil for many oils (NOT BAKED GOODS) and you can eat more fish and more unprocessed nuts and grains.
After all, who wants horse meat in their diet?
Serfs always do.
That said, you can substitute olive oil for many oils (NOT BAKED GOODS) and you can eat more fish and more unprocessed nuts and grains.
After all, who wants horse meat in their diet?
6
Vios, not Vio's
The New Sonoma Diet cookbook is really great, by the way. The website is all about losing weight, but the food is great and the principles around the diet make sense. And they encourage wine drinking.
The New Sonoma Diet cookbook is really great, by the way. The website is all about losing weight, but the food is great and the principles around the diet make sense. And they encourage wine drinking.
9
Sadly, even though the sign for Costas Opa is still up at N 34th and Fremont Ave N, it's closed and turning into a Chase Bank.
11
Meanwhile, 34% of heart attacks, as well as large percentages of cancer, strokes, and diabetes, can be prevented by a vegetarian or vegan diet. This likely has nothing to do with anything magic about olive oil, and all about reducing red meat and animal fat.
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/02…
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/02…
13
The more food that we eat that is less processed, the better off we are. A good rule of thumb: If it wasn't available in 1950, you probably shouldn't eat it (very often).
15
@ 11, all that can also be attained by continuing to eat meat, as our bodies were meant to to - but in small quantities, and preferably from pasture-raised animals raised in clean and drug-free environments.
There are no health benefits to veganism that can't also be attained by restraint.
There are no health benefits to veganism that can't also be attained by restraint.
16
Mamnoon is a missing restaurant, and it's right on Cap Hill. Weird oversight.
And for recipes: invest in (or borrow from the library) Ottolenghi's books Plenty (which is vegetarian) and Jerusalem (which is omnivorous but slanted towards vegetables). Crazy good food, and as a nice bonus, almost all the most common vegetables in the books are grown in WA, including lentils and chickpeas.
And for recipes: invest in (or borrow from the library) Ottolenghi's books Plenty (which is vegetarian) and Jerusalem (which is omnivorous but slanted towards vegetables). Crazy good food, and as a nice bonus, almost all the most common vegetables in the books are grown in WA, including lentils and chickpeas.
17
@1/2: I was going to say to Christopher that basic Mediterranean cooking is really easy to do at home, definitely easier than spelling "Mediterranean," but no cookbook sprang immediately to mind and then I got distracted (we're making a paper over here!).
Wait, though—I've been meaning to check out Yotam Ottolenghi's "Jerusalem" cookbook, which is reportedly awesome...
Anyone else, anything?
Wait, though—I've been meaning to check out Yotam Ottolenghi's "Jerusalem" cookbook, which is reportedly awesome...
Anyone else, anything?
19
Part of the Mediterranean diet is Mediterranean portion sizes, not today's American super sized meals.
20
@17: Yes! Martha Rose Shulman's "Mediterranean Harvest" is in heavy rotation on our house. Lots of delicious and authentic vegetarian recipes from throughout the region, with excellent indexing too.
21
It looks like what they're recommending is simply:
Avoid processed food and sugar.
Don't eat too much red meat.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
Eat lots of whole grains.
That sounds like every other recommended eating regimen out there. The only thing that makes it "Mediterranean" is that olive oil is prominent on the list.
Avoid processed food and sugar.
Don't eat too much red meat.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
Eat lots of whole grains.
That sounds like every other recommended eating regimen out there. The only thing that makes it "Mediterranean" is that olive oil is prominent on the list.
22
Hmm, I wonder what would happen if we made a couple of changes here?...
Well, you'd probably see something like the results of the China Study.
What's that you say? Fish are rich in healthy Omega 3 oils like DHA? Well, so is algae oil -- which is what fish get their DHA from.
...if they switch to a M̶e̶d̶i̶t̶e̶r̶r̶a̶n̶e̶a̶n̶ vegan diet rich in olive oil, nuts, beans, f̶i̶s̶h̶, fruits, and vegetables,
Well, you'd probably see something like the results of the China Study.
The authors conclude that people who eat a plant-based/vegan diet—avoiding animal products such as beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, and milk, and reducing their intake of processed foods and refined carbohydrates—will escape, reduce or reverse the development of chronic diseases.
What's that you say? Fish are rich in healthy Omega 3 oils like DHA? Well, so is algae oil -- which is what fish get their DHA from.
Fish do not actually produce omega-3 fatty acids, but instead accumulate them by consuming either microalgae or prey fish that have accumulated omega-3 fatty acids [...]
23
@6, I've been going to Vios for brunch every Saturday for a couple months now. So worth the trip deep into helicopter-parent territory. I have loved Thomas's menus since the old days at El Greco on Broadway.
24
I don't think being predisposed to high cholesterol should be overlooked. A good diet for a predisposed person is like regular mammograms for a carrier if the breast cancer mutation.
25
@21,
You're not taking the low fat orthodoxy into account. What this study proved is that low fat diets are worse for you than the "Mediterranean diet" which tosses out at least 30 years of mainstream American dietary advice.
@22,
Yes, the China Study, which blamed high cholesterol levels for diabetes.
You're not taking the low fat orthodoxy into account. What this study proved is that low fat diets are worse for you than the "Mediterranean diet" which tosses out at least 30 years of mainstream American dietary advice.
@22,
Yes, the China Study, which blamed high cholesterol levels for diabetes.
26
I've been a vegetarian for ...15ish years now and man alive, these self-righteous pricks who use every food thread to preach about vegetarianism are fucking insufferable. You are the reason everyone expects me to be an asshole when they find out I don't eat meat. You're ruining it for everyone.
28
Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr., MD:
Emphasis is mine.
http://tinyurl.com/ahso327
Dean Ornish, MD:
http://tinyurl.com/ae4uxlc
All three dietary groups had almost equal facility PROMOTING the growth and clinical appearance of cardiovascular disease in those who at study onset did not have this illness. The single exception was the control group which had a significantly higher stroke rate; however at baseline, they also appeared to have a greater BMI, waist circumference, hypertension, anti hypertensive agents and diuretics suggesting a cohort at greater risk for strokes.
Emphasis is mine.
http://tinyurl.com/ahso327
Dean Ornish, MD:
In summary, the most responsible conclusion should be, "We found a significant reduction in stroke in those consuming a Mediterranean diet high in omega‑3 fatty acids when compared to those who were not making significant changes in their diet."
http://tinyurl.com/ae4uxlc
29
@25,
True. Forgot about that.
I think it's because I never once believed those idiotic American mainstream "low-fat" diets were real.
The problem, of course, is that when food manufacturers found out people wanted low fat, they just replaced the fats with other garbage. So a bag of "low fat" chips is packed full of corn syrup, salt, and myriad chemicals... but hey! It's low fat so why not eat 5 dozen bags?!?
Pisses me off...
True. Forgot about that.
I think it's because I never once believed those idiotic American mainstream "low-fat" diets were real.
The problem, of course, is that when food manufacturers found out people wanted low fat, they just replaced the fats with other garbage. So a bag of "low fat" chips is packed full of corn syrup, salt, and myriad chemicals... but hey! It's low fat so why not eat 5 dozen bags?!?
Pisses me off...
30
People need to be taught. It's the nature of the beast. A lot of people feel challenged with boiling water because they need specific and basic kitchen skills. But making time to eat your own properly cooked meals can be a whole lot healthier, cheaper and easier than you might think. I can make enough good food one night to make at least three meals for that week that just need a quick reheat. Even healthy snacks are easy. And delicious. And you know what went in it. These are life skills that have a quantitative effect on your health.
31
Keshmeshi: it's extremely clear animal fat causes diabetes (and heart disease, and stroke, and certain cancers). It's not the only cause, but it's a major cause. Go to google scholar and there are literally dozens of studies supporting this.
http://m.care.diabetesjournals.org/conte…
http://m.care.diabetesjournals.org/conte…
32
You know, everyone makes fun of Home Economics - how it supposedly subjugated women, blah, blah, blah, but I took Home Ec in Junior High (In Iowa, you took a semester of Home Ec and a semester of shop class each year) and a lot of that stuck with me over the years.
I don't can anything, and I don't sew, but I know how to make a meal from scratch, how to do laundry without ruining everything, how to sew a button back on, and how to balance my checkbook (not that I have a checkbook anymore, but that basic finance training was helpful to me)
If we taught basic life skills, including how to cook and eat healthy, we would have much more competent adults.
I don't can anything, and I don't sew, but I know how to make a meal from scratch, how to do laundry without ruining everything, how to sew a button back on, and how to balance my checkbook (not that I have a checkbook anymore, but that basic finance training was helpful to me)
If we taught basic life skills, including how to cook and eat healthy, we would have much more competent adults.
33
@31 A statistical association between dietary fat intake and diabetes in a study or 2 does not mean it is a major cause, or even a minor one. Causality is extremely difficult to assess by observational research.
34
Now we need to figure out out to farm fish without all the negative ecological fallout. The rising popularity of seafood is having a deleterious effect on already over-fished wild fish stocks world wide.
35
Low fat only means something if it significantly reduces calories. All they do with "reduced fat" peanut butter is drain off the peanut oil, a healthy fat, but the calories are virtually the same, with less healthful properties. The same thing applies to sugarfree, and low carbs. It doesn't matter from where the calories come, if you eat more calories than you burn, you will get fat. Even healthy fats should be used with moderation. French fries deep fried in olive oil have the same calories as fries cooked in lard. Lard is more likely to raise your cholesterol, but if you eat too many, you'll be just as fat either way.
36
Mediterranean doesn't mean Middle Eastern exclusively, for heaven's sake. Spain, southern France, Italy, Greece, Morocco: all Mediterranean countries.
37
#33: You're still arguing that nobody has PROVEN smoking causes lung cancer, right?
And it's not "dietary fat intake" - it's dietary animal fat intake that causes all kinds of problems, including diabetes and heart disease. That's why there are these studies that show non-hydrogenated vegetable oil is fine.
And it's not "dietary fat intake" - it's dietary animal fat intake that causes all kinds of problems, including diabetes and heart disease. That's why there are these studies that show non-hydrogenated vegetable oil is fine.
38
I´m glad to read this news! Today olive oil is one of the most popular edible oils worldwide both for its nutritional value as for its high gastronomic qualities. Its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, natural antioxidants and other nutrients make medical science considers as one of the healthiest.
There are many studies showing the benefits of the Mediterranean diet on weight control, cancer prevention breast, cerebro-vascular accidents, from heart attacks and anaemia, among other diseases. The Mediterranean diet besides being varied and balanced nutritional intake, is rich in fiber, unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. More than a diet, is said to be a way of life, which to generate a positive effect obviously be combined with moderate exercise daily.I invite you to learn more about the Mediterranean diet by visiting: goo.gl/I5FKH
Regards,
Photorecipe
There are many studies showing the benefits of the Mediterranean diet on weight control, cancer prevention breast, cerebro-vascular accidents, from heart attacks and anaemia, among other diseases. The Mediterranean diet besides being varied and balanced nutritional intake, is rich in fiber, unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. More than a diet, is said to be a way of life, which to generate a positive effect obviously be combined with moderate exercise daily.I invite you to learn more about the Mediterranean diet by visiting: goo.gl/I5FKH
Regards,
Photorecipe
39
I´m glad to read this news! Today olive oil is one of the most popular edible oils worldwide both for its nutritional value as for its high gastronomic qualities. Its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, natural antioxidants and other nutrients make medical science considers as one of the healthiest.
There are many studies showing the benefits of the Mediterranean diet on weight control, cancer prevention breast, cerebro-vascular accidents, from heart attacks and anaemia, among other diseases. The Mediterranean diet besides being varied and balanced nutritional intake, is rich in fiber, unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. More than a diet, is said to be a way of life, which to generate a positive effect obviously be combined with moderate exercise daily.I invite you to learn more about the Mediterranean diet by visiting: goo.gl/I5FKH
Regards,
Photorecipe
There are many studies showing the benefits of the Mediterranean diet on weight control, cancer prevention breast, cerebro-vascular accidents, from heart attacks and anaemia, among other diseases. The Mediterranean diet besides being varied and balanced nutritional intake, is rich in fiber, unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. More than a diet, is said to be a way of life, which to generate a positive effect obviously be combined with moderate exercise daily.I invite you to learn more about the Mediterranean diet by visiting: goo.gl/I5FKH
Regards,
Photorecipe
40
I'm disappointed that the Olive & Grape in Greenwood hasn't made your Mediterranean list, or are you just covering kebab shops?
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