|
The Mediterranean Diet is back in the news again. It comes
and goes - depending on the movie star who is using it at
the time. But this time the British Medical Journal
published a study that came out of the Athens Medical School
showing the life extending benefits of eating in this style.
Study aside, what diet sounds healthier to you? Potatoes,
fatty meats, and beer (northern Europe, and lots of
Americans) or a diet rich in fish, olive oils, fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains (Mediterranean - and more
enlightened Americans).
Here's what the researchers found: Out of the thousands of
participants between 70 and 90 years old who followed the
diet for ten years, along with healthy lifestyle habits,
this entire group reduced their mortality rate in half
compared to the control group. This diet was also shown to
reduce heart disease and diabetes risk in pre-diabetic
individuals.
The Mediterranean diet includes generous doses of olive oil
and is heavy on vegetables, fruits, legumes (lentils,
several varieties of beans), nuts and healthy cereals. There
is a huge reduction in red meat and dairy products.
Another study in the Journal of the American College of
Cardiology suggests that the phenols in the olive oil are
the compounds that explain the cardiovascular benefits of
the Mediterranean diet (“Phenolic compounds in olive oil may
explain cardiovascular health benefits associated with
Mediterranean Diet.”) I find this interesting because
phenols are highly plentiful in the therapeutic essential
oils. Who knows? oils in general may be the real secret to
longevity here.
Here's an easy tip for ensuring a way to get plenty of olive
oil in your daily diet. I do this personally because one of
my favorite healers and chiropractor, Dr. Simon Aslanian,
recommended it:
- Before going to bed take 2 tablespoons of olive oil
in 4 ounces of orange juice
- Another great way to use olive oil, and this is a
'Skin Secret' of Sophia Loren's - scrub your skin with
olive oil and sugar.
“Phenolic compounds in olive oil may explain
cardiovascular health benefits associated with Mediterranean
Diet.”
(News-medical.net. 13 November 2005. 2007. http://www.news-medical.net/?id=14432)
Back to Free Articles
Direct comments or questions about this article, including
requests for reprint rights, to:
Marilee Tolen RN, HNC - Board
Certified Holistic Nurse
HomeSpaLady™
“. . .natural remedies for health and beauty that you
can do at home!”
Get your FREE “Tips of the Week” at
http://www.HomeSpaLady.com
www.HealingEnergies.com
Learn more about
essential
oils here
856.857.1799
Email
|
