Mediterranean Diet Leads To Longer Life (??)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0425111008.htm

The study only used 74,000 people in nine (9) European countries, and
they were all "oldies" over age 60.

No USA "oldies" were harmed during the course of this study.


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Source: British Medical Journal
http://www.bmj.com/
Date: 2005-04-25

Mediterranean Diet Leads To Longer Life

The Mediterranean diet is characterised by a high intake of vegetables,
legumes, fruits, and cereals; a moderate to high intake of fish; a low
intake of saturated fats, but high intake of unsaturated fats,
particularly olive oil; a low intake of dairy products and meat; and a
modest intake of alcohol, mostly as wine.

Current evidence suggests that such a diet may be beneficial to health.

The study involved over 74,000 healthy men and women, aged 60 or more,
living in nine European countries. Information on diet, lifestyle,
medical history, smoking, physical activity levels, and other relevant
factors was recorded. Adherence to a modified Mediterranean diet was
measured using a recognised scoring scale.

A higher dietary score was associated with a lower overall death rate. A
two point increase corresponded to an 8% reduction in mortality, while a
three or four point increase was associated with a reduction of total
mortality by 11% or 14% respectively.

So, for example, a healthy man aged 60 who adheres well to the diet
(dietary score of 6-9) can expect to live about one year longer than a
man of the same age who does not adhere to the diet.

The association was strongest in Greece and Spain, probably because
people in these countries follow a genuinely Mediterranean diet, say the
authors.

Adherence to a Mediterranean type diet, which relies on plant foods and
unsaturated fats, is associated with a significantly longer life
expectancy, and may be particularly appropriate for elderly people, who
represent a rapidly increasing group in Europe, they conclude

On Mon, 25 Apr 2005 19:03:44 -0500, jbuch
wrote:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0425111008.htm

The study only used 74,000 people in nine (9) European countries, and
they were all "oldies" over age 60.

No USA "oldies" were harmed during the course of this study.


One good thing about the study is that they actually published "total
mortality" ratings, which are better at telling you what's going on.
However, I find this study very hard to believe:

"So, for example, a healthy man aged 60 who adheres well to the diet
(dietary score of 6-9) can expect to live about one year longer than a man
of the same age who does not adhere to the diet."

You mean to tell me that you start this diet at 60 and live an entire YEAR
longer than someone who does not adhere to the diet? I'd have to see the
text of the actual study to see what they really factored in and how the
data points to such a long extended life.

--
Bob M
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