The Mediterranean diet might be effective in reducing prevalence

of metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome or Syndrome X is a combination of a big tummy, high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol and insulin levels. The metabolic syndrome is a risk for heart disease and adult onset diabetes. The role of diet in the aetiology of the metabolic syndrome is poorly understood. A two-year trial in Italy assessed the effect of a Mediterranean-style diet on endothelial function and vascular inflammatory markers in 180 patients with the metabolic syndrome. Results were published in the Journal of the Americam Medical Assoc, Sept 8 2004 (vol 292 pages 1188-94).

Patients in the intervention group (n = 90) were instructed to follow a Mediterranean-style diet and received detailed advice about how to increase daily consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil; patients in the control group (n = 90) followed a prudent diet (carbohydrates, 50%-60%; proteins, 15%-20%; total fat, <30%). After 2 years, patients following the Mediterranean-style diet consumed more foods rich in monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and fiber and had a lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Total fruit, vegetable, and nuts intake (274 g/d), whole grain intake (103 g/d), and olive oil consumption (8 g/d) were also significantly higher in the intervention group (P<.001). The level of physical activity increased in both groups by approximately 60%, without difference between groups (P =.22).

Those eating Mediterranean style lost significantly more weight, their insulin worked better, they had less potentially artery-damaging inflammation and their arteries worked better. At 2 years of follow-up, 40 patients in the intervention group still had features of the metabolic syndrome, compared with 78 patients in the control group (P<.001). A Mediterranean-style diet might be effective in reducing the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its associated cardiovascular risk.