Objective: The objective of this trial was to compare
the effects of a Mediterranean diet and a low fat diet on risk of cardiovascular
disease in subjects over 5 years.
Methods: 7,447 subjects at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease were randomized into one of 3 diet groups: A Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts, and a low fat diet. The subjects were followed for 4.8 years and the primary endpoints were myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes.
Results: The Mediterranean
group supplemented with nuts had a 30% lower risk of cardiovascular disease
when compared to the low fat group. The
Mediterranean group supplemented with olive oil had a 28% lower risk of
cardiovascular disease when compared to the low fat group. The trial was stopped early because it was no
longer considered ethical to keep the low fat group on a diet that could be
increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease.
Discussion: This is a beautifully
designed study in an elite research journal.
A 30% reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease in only 5 years is an
impressive difference. The authors
believed that the benefit of the Mediterranean diet was due to favorable
changes in blood lipids, insulin sensitivity, and resistance to oxidation, inflammation,
and vasoreactivity.
Take Home Message: This study provides further evidence that a
low fat diet is not the way to go. In
fact, this study is so big and so well done, that it very well may be the final
nail in the coffin for low fat diet proponents.
If you want to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, the number
one killer in the U.S., follow a Mediterranean approach; which features olive
oil, nuts, fruits and vegetables, legumes, lean protein and limits sugar
sweetened beverages, breads, sweets, butter, and red meat.
