mediterranean diet Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Summer’s Shocking Mediterranean Diet Study

AHA Publisher — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 07:00:41 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – When it comes to heart conditions, many people still believe a low-fat diet is best. They may be willing to reduce carbohydrates to achieve their weight goals, but proactively add high-fat foods? That’s a step too far. For them, the low-fat dogma taught decades ago is just too hard to shake. This summer’s shocking Mediterranean diet study may be just what they need to be convinced that fats are good for your heart. Here are the highlights of the study, what you need to know about the Mediterranean diet, and how you can best implement it for optimal health, weight, and youthfulness. Summer’s Shocking Mediterranean Diet Study This summer’s Mediterranean diet study was published in The Lancet in May 2022 (1). However, it actually started over a decade ago. In 2009, researchers took 1002 participants who had diagnosed coronary artery disease (plaque buildup in the heart’s arteries), including 827 men and 175 women, and divided them into two groups. Group 1, which consisted of 502 participants, ate a Mediterranean diet. If this is unfamiliar to you, a traditional Mediterranean diet emphasizes foods high in monounsaturated fats — particularly olive oil and nuts — along with legumes, whole grains, poultry, and fatty fish. It also encourages high amounts of fruits and vegetables. Group 2 ate a low-fat diet. This means they actively minimized high-fat foods including those considered unhealthy fats AND healthy fats. Their diets encouraged lean versions of fish and poultry, and more calories per day from carbohydrates, particularly whole grains, legumes, and potatoes. The results? For those who’ve held strongly to the low-fat recommendations of former decades, the results are shocking. Mediterranean Diet Study Results After 7 years of following their assigned diets, the participants were once again tested for coronary heart disease markers. The Mediterranean diet group had a 26% lower risk of having a heart attack or stroke, compared with people in the low-fat group. The researchers concluded that the Mediterranean diet was superior to the low-fat diet in preventing major cardiovascular events in secondary prevention. Of course, this is not the first study that clearly shows the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Study after study has shown that the Mediterranean diet is effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and overall mortality. Much of the research has found that it supports healthy reductions in inflammation, blood sugar, and body mass index (2, 3, 4). Dr. Colbert’s Beyond Keto — the Most Effective Mediterranean Diet Plan If you’re looking for a great way to take these shocking results and make a healthy Mediterranean diet your eating lifestyle, look no further than Dr. Colbert’s Beyond Keto! Dr. Colbert’s Beyond Keto is a revolutionary new approach that combines the best of the Keto Zone™ Diet with the Mediterranean Diet to support healthy weight, gut health, brain health, reduced inflammation, healthy aging, and more (5). Specifically, it encourages: A Healthy Weight: Almost all current negative health conditions are linked to, or exacerbated by, obesity (6). By utilizing healthy ketogenic diet principles, Beyond Keto promotes healthy changes and outcomes as soon as the first two weeks (7)! In addition, the Mediterranean diet component continues to support healthy weight and healthy body composition. Its focus on lean proteins, seafoods, healthy oils, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and vegetables provide a wonderful well-balanced, satisfying dietary lifestyle to maintain a healthy weight (8). Energy, Vitality, and Mental Focus: One of the greatest benefits of the ketogenic diet is the production of ketones. Ketones are natural energizing compounds that support healthy mental focus and vitality. The Mediterranean diet also encourages great energy and vitality with the abundant variety of healthy foods. Rather than experiencing the ups and downs of a high-sugar diet, you will enjoy steady, youthful energy from delicious, colorful whole foods. Optimal Blood Sugars and Metabolism: An amazing aspect of both the ketogenic diet and the Mediterranean diet normalized blood sugars. By using both eating styles in Beyond Keto, you’ll remove harmful refined starches while focusing on healthy fats, high fiber beans, peas, lentils, vegetables, lean protein and low glycemic fruits such as berries. Part of the improvement comes from weight loss. The other part comes from a diet that supports healthy metabolism and hormones (9). Healthy Cholesterol, Triglyceride, and Blood Pressure Levels. Both the Keto Zone and Mediterranean diet aspects of Beyond Keto support heart health. First, Beyond Keto promotes a healthy weight, which can help optimize heart health. Next, by choosing the incredibly heart-healthy foods in the Mediterranean diet, you can continue to encourage great heart health In fact, the foods in the Mediterranean diet and Beyond Keto work to support heart health, healthy cholesterol, and achieve whole-body health (10). Natural Unprocessed Foods Full of Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Compounds. One of the worst dietary habits plaguing humans worldwide is the consumption of ultra-processed foods. In fact, researchers have found that ultra-processed foods are linked to most modern health conditions and even overall risk of death (11)! Thankfully, you’ll eat healthy, high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods rather than ultra-processed ones (12). Healthy Gut Microbiota. Amazingly, Beyond Keto combines Keto Zone and Mediterranean foods to support gut health! This is great news for the millions of people who suffer from less-than-optimal gut function. In fact, studies have found the Mediterranean diet specifically improves gut microbiota and its associated metabolism functions. The diet’s prebiotics from healthy fibers along with healthy fats and polyphenols support gut health, hormone balance, and metabolism (13). All in all, Dr. Colbert’s Beyond Keto is a wonderful eating lifestyle full of delicious foods that will help you achieve great health and your weight goals. Bottom Line This summer, take this Mediterranean diet study, its results, and run with them. Choose a healthy lifestyle that’s full of healthy fats, vegetables, proteins and very few processed foods. It’s a great time to support your heart health, brain health, and whole-body health with Dr. Colbert’s Beyond Keto! To read the original article click here.

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Mediterranean Diet Associated With a Lower Risk of Mortality in Older Adults

AHA Publisher — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 08:00:29 +0000

University of Barcelona via Newswise – A greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet which had been assessed through an index made with biomarkers during a 20-year scientific monitoring is associated with a lower mortality in adults over 65. This is one of the main conclusions of a study led by Cristina Andrés-Lacueva, head of the Research Group on Biomarkers and Nutritional & Food Metabolomics of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences of the University of Barcelona (UB) and the CIBER on Fragility and Healthy Ageing (CIBERFES), also formed by the Food Innovation Network of Catalonia (XIA). The paper, published in the journal BCM Medicine, has been carried out in collaboration with the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) of the United States. According to the conclusions, the analysis of dietary biomarkers in plasma and urine can contribute to the individualized food assessment for old people. The study is based on the InCHIANTI project, conducted in the region of the Italian Tuscany, a study that has been carried out during twenty years in a total of 642 participants (56% women) aged over 65 or more and which enabled researchers to obtain complete data on food biomarkers. As stated by the UB Professor Cristina Andrés-Lacueva, head of the research group in CIBERFES, “we develop an index of dietary biomarkers based on food groups that are part of the Mediterranean diet, and we assess their association with mortality”. In the study, researchers chose the reference levels of the following dietary biomarkers in the urine: total polyphenols and resveratrol metabolites (from grape intake) and presents in plasma, plasma carotenoids, selenium, vitamin B12, fatty acids and their proportion of monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids. Using a predictive model, they assessed the associations of the Mediterranean diet index and the food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with mortality. During the twenty years of monitoring, there were 425 deaths (139 due to cardiovascular diseases and 89 due to cancer-related causes). Once the models were analysed, the score of the Mediterranean diet using the biomarkers was inversely associated with all causes of death. This study highlights the use of dietary biomarkers to improve the nutritional assessment and guide a customized assessment for older people. As noted by the CIBERFES researcher of the UB Tomás Meroño, co-first signatory of the study, the researchers “confirm that an adherence to the Mediterranean diet assessed by a panel of dietary biomarkers is inversely associated with the long-term mortality in older adults, which supports the use of these biomarkers in monitoring evaluations to study the health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet”. To read the original article click here.

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Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe

AHA Publisher — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 08:00:14 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – When the cold weather hits, few meals hit the mark the way soups do. Simple and delicious, they warm you right to the bones — like my Tuscan white bean soup recipe. You don’t have to spend hours letting them simmer either. In fact, you can prepare a healthy, tasty soup in under an hour. Enter my Tuscan white bean soup. This soup, inspired by cooking in Italy’s Tuscan region, comes together in just 45 minutes. Is white bean soup good for you? In keeping with Italian-style cooking and the Mediterranean diet, this hearty white bean soup is loaded with fresh, colorful veggies, like zucchini, carrots, kale, squash and cabbage, and paired with healthy fats. Two BPA-free cans of cannellini beans, also known as white beans, mean this Tuscan soup is full of fiber and protein, even with no meat. That’s right, this soup is vegetarian, and while you could certainly eat it as a starter, with all of the veggie goodness inside, this one is best enjoyed as a main dish. Key Ingredients Some Tuscan white bean soup recipes are loaded with sodium and preservatives but not my vegetarian Tuscan white bean and kale soup. Here are some of the main players in this Tuscan soup recipe: Avocado oil: This heart-healthy oil is fantastic in cooking because it has a high smoke point, so nutrients are retained even at high temperatures. Cabbage: Cabbage is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense veggie. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals, helping combat inflammation and disease. Cannellini beans: As mentioned above, these white beans are loaded with fiber and protein, and they can aid in weight and blood sugar regulation. Carrots: You likely already know carrots are good for eye health, but that’s not all. They also can decrease the risk for heart disease and stroke, support oral health, protect the brain, and boost skin health. Celery: Did you know that celery is packed with vitamin K and can lower inflammation? It’s true. Kale: It’s no secret that kale is a superfood, as the health benefits of kale including combating inflammation, aiding detoxification, supporting the heart and so much more. Yellow squash: Often thought of as a summer squash, yellow squash makes a great addition to a hearty winter soup too. It’s good for weight loss diets and loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. Zucchini: Another low-calorie, nutrient-dense food, zucchini nutrition provides countless benefits while adding flavor. So what are we waiting for? Let’s get cooking on this Tuscan bean soup. How to Make Tuscan White Bean Soup We start by adding avocado oil to the bottom of a stock pot, and then add avocado oil and pan fry the carrots, onions, celery, garlic and squash over medium heat. I also especially like the benefit-rich celery in this Tuscan white bean soup. It adds some crunch and a distinct flavor with few calories. Next, add in the broth. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, opt for a veggie broth. If not, I highly suggest you try my chicken bone broth recipe in this bean soup. It’s fantastic for your digestive system and one of my favorite healing foods. Using a store-bought broth is fine, too, if you’re short on time. Next, add in the rest of the ingredients, and let them simmer for half hour. This time allows the cabbage and kale to soften. Once the 30 minutes are up, turn off the heat and top the Tuscan white bean soup with shaved raw sheep or goat cheese. This is why I love the Mediterranean diet — it allows for little indulgences that are good for you, like fresh cheeses. That’s all there is to this vegetarian Tuscan white bean soup. Ladle into a bowl, and serve. Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe My Tuscan white bean soup comes together in just 45 minutes. This Mediterranean soup is full of veggies like zucchini, kale and cabbage. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons avocado oil 1 white onion chopped 3 carrots, diced 3 stalks of celery, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon sage leaves ½ cup fresh parsley 1 roma tomato, diced 1 zucchini, diced 1 yellow squash, diced 1½ cup purple cabbage, sliced 1½ cup lacinato kale two 15.5 ounce cans of cannellini beans, rinsed 6 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth Salt and pepper to taste Crumbled goat cheese for topping (optional) INSTRUCTIONS In the bottom of a stock pot add avocado oil and pan fry the carrots, onions, celery, garlic and squash over medium heat. Add broth. Add in the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. Top with crumbled goat cheese. (optional) To read the original article click here.

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Mediterranean Chicken Recipe

AHA Publisher — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 07:00:38 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – When it’s time to prepare a weeknight dinner after a busy day, the last thing you want to do is spend a ton of time in the kitchen. Time-consuming meals have their place — my chicken pot pie and garlic lamb roast are worth the time, for instance — but when you need a meal fast, you need something quick, nutritious and delicious. That’s where this Mediterranean chicken recipe comes in. This dish perfectly reflects the Mediterranean diet as well as that region in general, with common ingredients from Italy, Greece and even Turkey. The lean protein is topped with a fresh, easy Mediterranean chicken sauce sauce that pairs well with a green salad, a side of veggies or even a gluten-free pasta. Best of all, it’s a 30-minute meal from start to finish. Key Ingredients There are many Mediterranean chicken recipes out there, including: Mediterranean chicken kabobs Mediterranean chicken thighs Mediterranean chicken salad Mediterranean chicken marinade Mediterranean chicken salad Mediterranean chicken pasta For mine, we make sure it’s as healthy as possible. Here are the key ingredients: Free-range chicken breasts: Make sure your Mediterranean chicken breasts are from free-range chickens. This ensures they aren’t pumped full of antibiotics and hormones and are responsibly raised. Ghee: Ghee is a great alternative to butter, as you can cook with it at high heat, and it’s loaded with benefits, too. It’s loaded with fat-soluble vitamins, free of lactose and casein, supports bone health, and more. Goat cheese: Goat cheese nutrition provides a healthy dose of of good-for-you fats, protein, calcium, probiotics, and several vitamins and minerals. How to Make Mediterranean Chicken Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, in a pan, sauté the garlic, broth and ghee. Once the garlic is fragrant, remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the coconut sugar. Next, season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper and onion powder. Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet, and then top it with the garlic-ghee mixture. Sprinkle the goat cheese over the garlic chicken, and top with fresh tomato slices. Bake the chicken for 15–18 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink on the inside. While the chicken cooks, get your sides ready. In a half hour, you’ll have a full meal ready to set on the table. The next time you’re tempted to order takeout, try this Mediterranean version of chicken instead! Mediterranean Chicken Recipe This 30-minute Mediterranean chicken dish perfectly reflects the Mediterranean diet, with common ingredients from Italy, Greece and Turkey. INGREDIENTS 4 chicken breasts 6 garlic cloves 3 tablespoons coconut sugar 2 tablespoons ghee 1 tablespoon chicken broth sea salt and black pepper to taste dash of onion powder tomato slices goat cheese INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 450 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a pan, sauté garlic, broth and ghee. Remove from heat and stir in coconut sugar. Season chicken with salt, pepper and onion powder. Place chicken on baking sheet and cover with the ghee mixture. Sprinkle goat cheese over chicken and top with tomato slices. Bake uncovered for 15–18 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. To read the original article click here.

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Simple Homemade Greek Avgolemono Soup Recipe

AHA Publisher — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 07:00:44 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – You might already know that I’m a huge fan of Greek food. It’s one of the cuisines that naturally falls into the Mediterranean diet, which is chock-full of fruits, veggies and healthy grains, along with simple dishes that are full of flavor. This avgolemono soup recipe is one of my favorite classic Greek soups. What Is Avgolemono? (Key Ingredients) Avgolemono means “egg lemon,” and it’s this combination that gives the Greek soup its rich, velvety texture. Rice or orzo pasta is usually cooked right in the soup, which can range from a broth-like consistency to one that’s closer to a hearty stew. While poached chicken is often added to the soup, I’ve kept this one meat-free and vegetarian-friendly. Of course, you can make chicken avgolemono soup by simply adding chicken, but as I mentioned, I opted to make this avgolemono soup vegetarian. The beauty of an authentic Greek avgolemono soup recipe is that it requires so few ingredients but packs a ton of taste. What kind of rice is used in avgolemono? You’ll see many avgolemono soup with orzo versions, but in my simple avgolemono soup, instead of white rice, which is devoid of nutrients, I opted for sprouted brown rice. While brown rice is healthier than its white counterpart, sprouted is the way to go. Sprouted grains are easier for the body to digest, breaks down gluten and allows for greater nutrient absorption. This soup also gets a protein boost from the addition of protein powder made from bone broth. You get all the benefits of bone broth, including collagen and gelatin, all of which support a healthy gut, in an easy-to-use form. No need to spend 24 hours waiting for broth to cook on the stove! Finally, the stars of this soup are the egg and lemon. Eggs, of source, add additional protein and collagen, combining for a heart-healthy, joint-supporting powerhouse with the bone broth, while the lemon adds both flavor and burst of a vitamin C to boost immunity. The trick here is to continuously whisk the eggs in the soup. Instead of cooking and turning into a scramble-y mess, you get that lovely, silky texture that sets this lemon soup apart. How to Make Avgolemono Soup Bring the rice and protein powder mixture to a boil. Stir until the ingredients marry. Then reduce heat, and simmer for 35–40 minutes, covered. Whisk together the eggs and lemon juice gently, until they’re well-combined. Pour the egg and lemon mix into the pot, stirring continuously to prevent curdling. Top with the brown rice crisps and green onions, and season with salt and pepper to taste for this delicious avgolemono soup. Simple Homemade Greek Avgolemono Soup Recipe DESCRIPTION Mediterranean diet soups are full of fruits, veggies and flavor. This Avgolemono Soup Recipe is one of my favorite classic Greek soups. INGREDIENTS 4–5 cups water 1 scoop powder made from bone broth (unflavored) ½ cup sprouted brown rice 4 eggs + 2 egg yolks juice of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon unsalted butter ½ tablespoon paprika salt and pepper to taste Toppings: organic brown rice crisps chopped green onions INSTRUCTIONS Bring rice and broth mixture to a boil, stir until ingredients marry and reduce heat and simmer for 35–40 minutes, covered. Whisk eggs and lemon juice gently until well-combined. Pour into the pot, stirring continuously to prevent curdling. Top with brown rice crisps and green onions, and season with salt and pepper to taste. To read the original article click here.

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Amazing Science-Backed Benefits of Oleocanthal

AHA Publisher — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 07:00:55 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – We all know that extra virgin olive oil is good for us. But what if most benefits of the Mediterranean Diet and olive oil are from a specific component of the oil? What if most of the olive oils sold in the United States don’t contain it? Does your olive oil measure up? Introducing the benefits of oleocanthal. Here’s what it is, what it does in the human body, and how to get yours today. What Is Oleocanthal? Oleocanthal (OC) is one of many phenols found in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), and it is also known as deacetoxy-ligstroside aglycon. It was first identified as a minor phenolic compound in olives in 1993 (1). The amount of oleocanthal in EVOO varies due to the varieties of olives and different regions in which they are grown. Unfortunately, many commercial EVOO contains negligible or no-detectable OC(2). While all EVOO’s phenols are beneficial, it’s OC that produces amazing results. In fact, the benefits of oleocanthal range from supporting brain health to reducing inflammation to inhibiting the overgrowth of harmful cells. Science-Backed Benefits of Oleocanthal Most of the health benefits of OC are due to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Oleocathal’s anti-inflammatory properties were first described in 2005 (3). At that time, scientists believed OC’s anti-inflammatory strength was similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like ibuprofen (4). In fact, OC provides anti-inflammatory benefits by inhibiting inflammatory enzymes called cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2 in lab studies. These enzymes are part of the reaction that converts arachidonic acid into inflammatory prostaglandins and thromboxane (5,6). OC’s anti-inflammatory effects are dose-dependent. Amazingly, oleocanthal is as strong, or even stronger, than ibuprofen (5,7,8). A 2005 lab study reported that oleocanthal inhibited 41–57% of COX activity while the same amount of ibuprofen inhibited only 13–18% COX activity (5). And, oleocanthal does even more. Oleocanthal and Brain Health Recent animal studies indicate that OC supports brain health while we age and slows degeneration. How? OC disrupts β-amyloid oligomerization (synthesis) and protects against neurodegeneration (9). What’s more, OC inhibits proteins’ fibrillization, which can occur in degeneration (10, 11). In addition, OC promotes amyloid clearance by inducing gene expression of transport proteins. This is hugely beneficial in supporting brain health (12, 13). Oleocanthal and Healthy Cells The Mediterranean diet and olive oil consumption are specifically linked to better overall health and reduction in cell overgrowth (14, 15). Analyses have found that supplementing high-oleocanthal olive oil results in lower cell-overgrowth prevalence (16) and less-invasive cells (17). In fact, researchers have not found that OC specifically fights harmful cells’ lysosomes, causing cellular toxicity and death both in lab and animal studies as needed (18). Oleocanthal and Heart Health It’s widely accepted that olive oil is great for your heart. Studies results show the benefits of OC include healthy hearts. One study found that consuming oleocanthal for one week increased antiplatelet effects and aggregation in healthy men. This supports heart health and healthy blood flow (19). Another study tested 3 different varying concentrations of OC consumption on healthy men. Each consumed oleocanthal at random for one week. Researchers assessed the effect on platelet function 2 hours after ingestion. Concentrated OC significantly inhibited platelet aggregation, while those consuming olive oil with no oleocanthal did not show the same benefit. Interestingly, the latter oil still had the same total amount of phenols, mainly in the form of free tyrosol (20). Oleocanthal and Joint Health As described above, oleocanthal is a potent COX enzyme inhibitor. This is great news for those with stiff or inflamed joints. Not only does OC disrupt the production of inflammatory prostaglandins, but it also suppresses lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. These actions inhibit nitric oxide synthase gene expression (21). Nitric oxide is a key facet of joint inflammation. OC is a potent natural compound that can support healthy joints (13). How to Get Enough Oleocanthal It can be difficult to consume oleocanthal and receive the benefits of oleocanthal from modern olive oil. In fact, most commercial varieties don’t contain any detectable amounts. Luckily, you can now get a cost-effective, convenient form of concentrated oleocanthal. Introducing Dr. Colbert’s Oleocanthal Our supplement line has expanded to include this amazing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. Introducing Dr. Colbert’s Oleocanthal (Powerful Antioxidant Concentrated from High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil)! This powerful supplement contains 2250 milligrams of oleocanthal per serving in an easy-to-take form. It’s been formulated specifically to support brain, heart, and whole-body health. Get yours today! Bottom Line Looking to support your brain health? Heart health? Joint-health? Whole-body health? Oleocanthal is an amazing compound ready to do it all. If you don’t have a trusted source of proven high-oleocanthal extra-virgin olive oil, get Dr. Colbert’s Oleocanthal (Powerful Antioxidant Concentrated from High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil) today! To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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WRONG Idea: Eating Healthy “Most of the Time” for Brain Health, New Study Warns

AHA Publisher — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 08:00:10 +0000

Joy Jensen via NaturalHealth365 – Many people try to follow a healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet. However, sometimes temptations win, and it’s easy to indulge in unhealthy foods, despite eating well most of the time. Unfortunately, new research shows there’s bad news about having “cheat days.” Scientists have looked closely at the Mediterranean diet and the health benefits it offers, but they have never dug into what happens when unhealthy foods are included in a mostly healthy diet. In a new study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, researchers from Rush University Medical Center set out to uncover answers, and what they found was quite enlightening and disturbing! The More You “Cheat,” the Fewer Benefits Healthy Eating Offers to Your Brain, Study Reveals Following the Mediterranean diet – or another diet that emphasizes whole grains, fish, fruit, vegetables, and healthy fats, positively affects health. However, when you cheat on your diet, combining it with unhealthy options like processed meats, fried foods, refined grains, sweets, and red meat, the benefits of your normal healthy diet seem to be diminished. Since the Mediterranean diet has been linked to lower rates of cognitive decline in aging adults, researchers conducted an observational study on 5,001 aging adults in Chicago. These individuals were all a part of the Chicago Health and Aging Project, which evaluated cognitive health in older adults between 1993 and 2012. Participants in the study filled out questionnaires every three years, tested their memory and processing skills, and then weighed in on the foods they consumed. Rush researchers analyzed how closely these participants stuck with the Mediterranean diet, as well as how often they ate foods from the Western diet like sweets, fried foods, pizza, full-fat dairy, red meats, and refined grains. They discovered that when study participants added more Western foods, the Mediterranean diet had minimal effect against cognitive decline. Try Your Best to Stick to Your Diet to Reap MULTIPLE Other Health Benefits Along with showing the dangers of cheating on your diet, this recent study also complements additional studies on the Mediterranean diet showing that it reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Some research even shows that sticking with a Mediterranean diet lowers the risk of premature death by as much as 30 percent. The bottom line: the more we eat healthy foods like fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, vegetables, and fish, the better it is for the body and brain. Many studies show that eating processed whole grains, fried foods, and processed meats are associated with cognitive decline, inflammation, and other negative health consequences. While it doesn’t mean you can never indulge, the key to better health is to avoid cheating as much as possible, sticking to the healthy foods that nourish your body and promote overall health. Sources for this article include: MedicalXpress.com, NaturalHealth365.com, NaturalHealth365.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Extra Virgin Olive Oil Boosts Cognitive Function, New Trial

AHA Publisher — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 08:00:32 +0000

Joy Jensen via NaturalHealth365 – The Mediterranean diet has long been considered a heart-healthy diet, which consists of legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and healthy fats, including olive oil. And it turns out that olive oil could be key in the health benefits it offers. A recent trial found that consuming extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) boosts cognitive function, making a case for using long-term intervention with the oil to boost brain health and performance. What was surprising was how supplementing with EVOO stacked up against following the Mediterranean diet alone. Surprising Brain Function Results Delivered by Using EVOO According to researchers, whose work was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in October 2020, they wanted to learn more about the effects of Greek High Phenolic Early Harvest (HP-EH) extra virgin olive oil as compared to moderate phenolic EVOO and simply following the Mediterranean diet in individuals dealing with mild cognitive impairment. Scientists took three groups of people with mild cognitive impairment, gave one group the HP-EH extra virgin olive oil daily, another group the moderate phenolic EVOO daily, and the third group followed instructions for the Mediterranean diet. At the end of the trial, they found that the group with the best performance was the group that was giving the HP-EH extra virgin olive oil each day. They had improved cognitive performance in nearly every area that was tested, leading researchers to conclude that long-term intervention with EVOO offers significant improvements in overall cognitive function. Additional Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Beyond boosting brain health and improving cognitive function, EVOO offers many other health benefits that make it worth adding to your diet or even taking as a supplement. Studies show that regular consumption of EVOO helps reduce triglyceride levels, an important step for preventing heart disease. It’s also been found to help prevent blood clots and strokes, supporting healthy cholesterol levels that can keep platelets from sticking together and causing clots. The monounsaturated fats found in the oil are anti-inflammatory as well, reducing inflammation and boosting the health of cardiovascular tissues, which helps lower the risk of heart disease. Researchers have also discovered that EVOO has antimicrobial effects against the bacteria that cause peptic ulcers, while other studies show that regular olive oil consumption results in stronger bones and reduced risk of fractures. Previous studies also found that EVOO protects the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation, which may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. What’s the best way to get the benefits of extra virgin olive oil? Experts usually recommend getting between one to four tablespoons daily. You can use it on salads, drizzle it on veggies when you roast or sauté them, or use it when whipping up your favorite dips, spreads, pesto, or hummus. Just make sure you purchase extra virgin olive oil that’s been cold-pressed to ensure the valuable fatty acids, polyphenols, and nutrients aren’t destroyed during processing. Editor’s note: You may be interested in this article, “The Top 5 olive oils to protect your heart” – which includes my favorite brand. And, no, I do not have any financial incentive to give you this information. Sources for this article include: EuropePMC.org, LifeExtension.com, NaturalHealth365.com, NaturalHealth365.com, NaturalHealth365.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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The Foods to Avoid to Lower Stroke Risk

AHA Publisher — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 07:00:55 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – “Stroke remains one of the most devastating of all neurological diseases,” killing about 5 million people a year worldwide, and is “the leading cause of permanent disability in the USA.” But the good news is that about 80 percent of stroke risk may be due to basic lifestyle factors: primarily, improving our diet, stopping smoking, and getting regular exercise. The best way to stop smoking, evidently, is to have a heart attack. Certainly, once dead, you can’t smoke. Of those who survive a heart attack, strong, repeated advice from their doctor may persuade up to two-thirds to quit and never smoke again in any form as long as they live. “Yes, quitting smoking is very difficult. It doesn’t matter; it has to be done. If you were walking along the lakeshore and one of your grandchildren is drowning, it doesn’t take will power to go into the lake; it just has to be done.” It’s like a healthy diet: Some things just have to be done. Getting up at night to feed a baby can be difficult, too, but it’s not a matter of having willpower—some things in life just have to be done. After all, what we regularly eat every day is indeed a matter of life and death. For stroke prevention, that means eating a more plant-based diet, like a traditional Mediterranean diet centered around whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lentils, beans, and nuts, as I discuss in my video Best Foods to Reduce Stroke Risk. A vegetarian or vegan diet may also work, but it must be accompanied by a regular, reliable source of vitamin B12, meaning B12-fortified foods or supplements. “Unfortunately, recommending taking B12 supplements may meet opposition among vegetarians because misconceptions regarding this nutrient are prevalent. Many individuals still hold on to the old myth that deficiency of this vitamin is rare and occurs only in a small proportion of vegans…Future studies with vegetarians should focus on identifying ways of convincing vegetarians to routinely take vitamin B12 supplements in order to prevent a deficiency.” The research is clear on that. What is it about plant-based diets that make them beneficial for stroke prevention? In my video How to Prevent a Stroke, I talked about the role of fiber, which potentially leads to about a 1 percent drop in risk for every 1 gram of fiber ingested per day. Or, even better: A 12 percent drop in risk is associated with every extra 10 grams of fiber a day. In fact, fiber from whole grains is associated with a lower chance of dying not only from heart attack and stroke, but also cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases, as well as a lower risk of dying from infections or other causes––in other words, a lower risk of dying prematurely from all causes combined. Why? Perhaps because of the anti-inflammatory effects of fiber, which could explain how it could help across the board. Or, it could be that eating fiber means eating fewer pro-inflammatory foods. Those who eat more whole plant foods, which are where fiber is found, may be eating less processed and animal foods. In fact, the study immediately preceding the meta-analysis of fiber was a meta-analysis on meat, which looked at red meat and processed meat, and found about a 10 percent increased risk for stroke associated with each three and a half ounce daily portion, which is about the size of a deck of playing cards, or about 10 percent increased risk for every “half-deck” of processed meat. Perhaps this occurs because of the heme iron—the blood and muscle iron—in meat, or because of “its pro-oxidative properties.” (No association was found between stroke and non-heme iron, which is the type of iron that predominates in plants.) Or, perhaps it’s because of some of the toxic pollutants like PCBs that can build up in animal fats. We’ve known, for example, that living next to a toxic waste dump might increasestroke risk, but only recently have we realized that dietary exposure even at so-called safe levels might increase stroke risk—and increase it by as much as eight or nine times for those with the highest levels of these pollutants in their bloodstream. This article has been modified. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Greger click here.

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