We all know that nutrition has a major role on stroke
prevention. I thought this study was interesting because it was based on a
specific Mediterranean diet.
In this study it is shown that a Cretan Mediterranean diet
has reduced stroke and myocardial infarction. The recruited 423 survivors of
myocardial infarction were randomization to a Mediterranean diet or a Western
diet. The patients assigned to the Mediterranean diet had a 60% reduction in
cardiac death and MI over 4 years compared with the patients on the Western
diet. This Mediterranean diet contained high beneficial oils, whole grains,
fruits, vegetable, and low in cholesterol and animal fat.
They point out that a key problem with the Western diet it that
North America fails to distinguish between kinds of fat and between red meat,
poultry, and fish. I thought it was interesting that they mention that the
mantra that “fat is bad” has led to reduced fat intake and increased carb
intake. This misconception has led to harmful cardiovascular effects.
Also, a VISP trial was done on patients responding to B vitamins
had significant reduction of stroke, death, and coronary disease. They make an
exception for this vitamin because it lowers homocysteine. By lowering
homosysteine they can reduce thrombosis, impaired endothelial function, and
oxidative stress.
They conclude that patients at risk of stroke should consume
a Cretan Mediterranean diet and to take higher doses of B12. You can never go
wrong with eating fruits and vegetable of all different colors. The more
colorful the better it is for you. Nutrition should really be more appreciated
because what we consume now will reflect on us in the future.
Nutrition and Stroke
Prevention. American Heart Association. 27 July. 2006. Web. 08 Dec. 2013.
<http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/37/9/2430.long>
It's studies like this that support that overall health is greatly influenced by diet. As we've seen in the articles discussed in class as well as other posts here on the blog, it is supported that better, well-balanced diets help to improve symptoms of many diseases. It makes sense too since there is a lot of overlapping as individuals may have more than one of the diseases. At work I often see patients that come in with histories of TIA, CVA, and/or MI and it's great when you hear about the improvements that they've made in their diets and the positive effects it has had on their lives.
ReplyDeleteI agree it does feel great when people can improve their own lives through the food that they eat. I guess it all does start in the kitchen. :)
DeleteThis is great! The article truly represents that "you are what you eat." dieting is a major factor in prolonged health, but some people mistake the meaning of 'diet' as you said. In Dr. Cohen's cardiology class we learned that HDL's (high density lipoproteins) are actually good for you because they help with the clearance of LDL's (low-density lipoproteins aka bad cholesterol). LDL cholesterol can build up in the inner walls of arteries that feed the heart and brain and lead to plaque, narrowing the arteries and making them less flexible (atherosclerosis). In contrast, HDL's carry cholesterol away from these arteries back to the liver. The Mediterranean diet includes consumption of many "good" fats which actually helps reduce the risk of MI or cardiac death.
ReplyDeleteThere is a Greek island called Ikaria where the diet consists of mainly the Mediterranean consumption given their resources, and a cup of wine is a normal daily beverage there as well (moderate alcohol consumption is found to reduce risk of MI as well). On this island they found that "Six out of 10 of people aged over 90 are still physically active, compared with about 20% elsewhere." Jaw-dropping isn't it?!?! read the article if you would like to know more, but I really am glad that you chose to blog about this article Juliet. I think I may embark on a life long Mediterranean diet myself :).
Sorry here is the link to one of the articles I read on Ikaria :)-
Deletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20898379
Wow that is jaw dropping! I’m glad you shared this article. It’s amazing that these people live 10 years longer than the Western hemisphere. That lifestyle is really extraordinary. We should all definitely pick up on this diet ☺ Thanks Jordan!
DeleteI like your blog too, Juliet! I love Mediterranean food, so it's nice to know that there are such benefits to eating those foods.
ReplyDeleteThe importance of diet is insane and we, as Americans, are so jaded in our interpretation of what a good diet means. I see and hear it all the time that fat is bad and people are worried about how many calories they are intaking where it's really the quality and type of food that is the issue overall. I have embarked on a few health goals for the new year already and the process of cleansing the bad stuff is draining. Just an effect of a bad diet over the course of some years. Eventually I know I'll feel better though. Thanks for your post!!!
Yes I completely agree with you! It’s definitely about quality not quantity. I know if you chose to eat the right things then you can never have too much. Just keep to your New Year resolutions and you should feel better. Good luck! :)
DeleteThe one thing to keep in mind about all the diets that are going around is that it just acts as a motivation to eat more healthy; not just because it is the cure for a 60% reduction in cardiac death. An example of this would be that we could create a No Junk Food Diet or a Non-Soda Diet and the results would be that we would be healthier individuals.
ReplyDeleteGreat articles, I think its great to see an article about preventative medicine. Its amazing to think of the dramatic effects on health simply eating right, and staying active both physically and mentally can do for ones health.
ReplyDeleteUsually when I see the term “diet” I automatically think its unnecessary. I tell my friends and family to get into a routine and eat health and workout. I generally recommend the same foods that were mentioned within this article, which is why I enjoyed reading it. As you have mentioned, I have also been told the more colorful your meal is, the better it is for you.
ReplyDeleteOn a little side note, it always bothers me when people try these ridiculous diets without educating themselves on the consequences. I have this friend that swears by the South Beach Diet, which tells you to consume fatty things and stay away from sugar. I’ve seen her eat bacon and put ranch and cream cheese on all her meals! It also mentions that certain fruits and vegetables are not allowed within the first few weeks. I think anything that tells you to stay away from certain fruits and veggies should be disregarded. In addition, because she is consuming a lot of fatty meals, it increases her chances of having cardiovascular complications in the future.
Agree with you Cassie, making a commitment and cutting a certain food that has no beneficial nutrients towards your health is a great step to take in order to bring better health, foods like these would be like you mentioned soda, cheettos, candy, and so on. These type of foods or drinks don't actually have any benefits for us it's more of the satisfying taste, that we have increases over time by consuming it and all that sugar and sodium our tolerance for it is increasing, so then we crave it more. Yes, it starts in the kitchen, but first it will have to start with your will, to make it to the kitchen. Great job Juliet :)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, this is exactly the kind of thing Dr. Gabriel Cousens is always going on about. He has a good book called Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine about this kind of diet. He talks about how the different colored foods often have different phytonutrients and to get a diverse amount of colors. Its a book mostly about balance and even has a section about eating for your blood type and incorporating yoga for stress. Its kind of out there but there is a good part on food and its role in the cycle of chronic disease
ReplyDelete