Monterey, CA Heart Disease, Cancer May Be Warded Off By Mediterranean Diet

Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States and whether or not you develop it is partly out of your control (genetics) but mostly in your control (exercise and diet).  Many experts believe that in addition to having a diet high in vegetables and whole grains, many of us need to reduce our overall caloric intake and cut back on protein.  The Mediterranean Diet has long been looked at as an ideal model, and it’s delicious as well!  Although there is debate about what this diet actually consists of, it’s known that it contains a lot of fish, fruits and vegetables and extra virgin olive oil.  It’s also relatively low in protein compared to what Americans are used to eating (17% Mediterranean versus 35% for Americans).  And it’s not just heart disease which can be caused by eating a lot of animal proteins.  A study which was published in Cell Metabolism showed that middle-aged Americans who ate a lot of animal protein were more likely to die of cancer and other causes, compared to people who opted for plant-based proteins.  So think carefully about the benefits of switching to a more Mediterranean-style diet.