Suitability of the Mediterranean-style diet in the modern world.

De Lorgeril, Michel; Salen, Patricia

Epidemiological studies as well as randomised dietary trials suggest that Mediterranean diet may be important in relation with the pathogenesis (and prevention) of coronary heart disease (CHD). For instance, a striking protective effect of an alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)-rich 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 CHD patients. According to our current knowledge, dietary ALA should represent about 0.6 to 1 % of total daily energy or about 2g per day in patients following a Mediterranean diet, whereas the average intake in linoleic acid should not exceed 7g per day. Supplementation with very long chain omega-3 fatty acids (about 1g 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. Thus, in the context of a diet rich in oleic acid and poor in saturated and not high in omega-6 fatty acids (a dietary pattern characterizing the traditional Mediterranean diet), even a small dose of very long chain omega-3 fatty acids (one gram under the form of capsules) might be very protective. These data underline the importance of the accompanying diet in any dietary strategy using fatty acid complements.

DIET; CORONARY heart disease prevention; LINOLEIC acid; OMEGA-3 fatty acids; CARDIAC arrest prevention; FATTY acids

Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005, Vol 14, p78

0964-7058

Academic Journal