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Research: DE LORGERIL and SALEN,
Listed in Issue 129
Abstract
DE LORGERIL and SALEN, Laboratoire Nutrition, Vieillissement et Maladies Cardiovasculaires (NVMCV), Universite Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France, have reviewed (37 references) the so-called Mediterranean diet for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Background
The aim of the study was to discuss present knowledge about Mediterranean diet, a diet rich in oleic acid, poor in saturated fats and low in n-6 fatty acids, and coronary heart disease.
Methodology
In a review of existing literature, epidemiological studies as well as randomised dietary trials were extracted from relevant databases.
Results
Available results suggest that Mediterranean diet may be important in relation to the pathogenesis and prevention of cardiovascular disease. A striking protective effect of a Mediterranean diet was reported in the Lyon Diet Heart Study with a 50 to 70% reduction of the risk of recurrence after 4 years of follow-up in coronary heart disease patients. According to our current knowledge, dietary alpha-linolenic acid should represent about 0.6 to 1% of total daily energy or about 2 g per day in patients following a Mediterranean diet, whereas the average intake in linoleic acid should not exceed 7 g per day. Supplementation with very long-chain n-3 fatty acids (about 1 g per day) in patients following a Mediterranean type of diet was shown to decrease the risk of cardiac death by 30% and of sudden cardiac death by 45% in the GISSI trial.
Conclusion
In individuals following a traditional Mediterranean diet, even small doses of n-3 fatty acids (about 1 g EPA+DHA) might be very protective. These data underline the importance of the accompanying diet in any dietary strategy using fatty acid supplements.
References
de Lorgeril M, Salen P. The Mediterranean-style diet for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Public Health Nutrition. 9 (1A): 118-123, Feb 2006.
Comment
Reduction in cardiac death by 30-45% by omega-3 fatty acid supplementation – striking results! These measures ought to be implemented by cardiac patients.
