The Mediterranean diet is recognized by a lot of people as prolonging life. Mediterraneandietforall.com has reported the Mediterranean diet includes natural food items which promote healthy living. The natural foods in the Mediterranean diet includes "fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, whole grains (i.e. for bread and pasta), olive oil as a healthier source of fat, meat (taken in small quantities and it should be lean), fish, seafood, red wine in moderation, and organic flavorings such as basil, oregano, lemon, rosemary, garlic, mint and other herbs.
MayoClinic.com has reported a recent analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults has demonstrated that following a Mediterranean diet is associated with "a reduced risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality, a reduced incidence of cancer and cancer mortality, and a reduced incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases." Many people feel adherence to a Mediterranean diet is a popular way to seek to loss weight in a healthy manner. Now Nutrition Horizon has reported that the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet go beyond weight loss, even when weight loss is not achieved.
Researchers from St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia have discovered that liver health was improved even when weight loss was not achieved with a Mediterranean diet. Marno Ryan, MD commented "Subjects had a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity, indicating a reduction in the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This was demonstrated without weight loss, thus suggesting that a change in macronutrient intake alone without weight loss can improve metabolic health."
Dr Ryan has said that this study showed that a 6-week Mediterranean Dietary intervention could lead to a reduction of liver fat by 39% in comparison with a current recommended healthy diet. Dr Ryan has commented "We have now demonstrated that adherence to the Mediterranean Diet can reduce liver fat, and improve insulin sensitivity, without weight loss, thus reducing the risk of development of liver disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus." In consideration of the many healthy benefits of a Mediterranean diet it is certainly worth considering.
Photographer: nuchylee
