It was a pleasure to read the multiethnic elderly cohort regarding Mediterranean diet (MeDi) adherence and brain structure among older adults by Gu et al. [1] Adherence to a MeDi is not only associated with reduced brain atrophy or shrinkage, but also with other, beneficial effects.
Increasing evidence suggests that high adherence to a MeDi is associated with significant reduction in overall risk of cancer mortality (10%), colorectal cancer (14%), prostate cancer (4%), and aerodigestive cancer (56%). [2] Better adherence to a MeDi is also associated with lower risk of myocardial infarction, heart failure, and ischemic stroke, and also beneficial in prevention of atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease. [3] A MeDi supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts, among persons at high cardiovascular risk, reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events. [4] Similarly, adherence to MeDi is associated with a slower cognitive decline and lower risk of developing Alzheimer disease (AD). [5] Epidemiologic and metabolic studies suggest that MeDi is a healthy eating plan and benefits individuals greatly, [2-5] reducing the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, Parkinson diesease, AD, and increasing life expectancy.
Adoption of MeDi is not only a healthy eating plan but also has therapeutic potential, becoming a necessity for all.
1. Gu Y, Brickman AM, Stern Y, et al. Mediterranean diet and brain structure in a multiethnic elderly cohort. Neurology Epub 2015 Oct 21.
2. Schwingshackl L, Hoffmann G. Adherence to Mediterranean diet and risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Int J Cancer 2014;135:1884-97.
3. Tektonidis TG, Akesson A, Gigante B, Wolk A, Larsson SC. A Mediterranean diet and risk of myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke: A population-based cohort study. Atherosclerosis 2015; 243:93-98.
4. Estruch R, Ros E, Salas-Salvado J, et al. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. N Engl J Med 2013;368:1279-1290.
5. Lourida I, Soni M, Thompson-Coon J, et al. Mediterranean diet, cognitive function, and dementia: a systematic review. Epidemiology 2013;24:479-89.
For disclosures, please contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org.
Increasing evidence suggests that high adherence to a MeDi is associated with significant reduction in overall risk of cancer mortality (10%), colorectal cancer (14%), prostate cancer (4%), and aerodigestive cancer (56%). [2] Better adherence to a MeDi is also associated with lower risk of myocardial infarction, heart failure, and ischemic stroke, and also beneficial in prevention of atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease. [3] A MeDi supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts, among persons at high cardiovascular risk, reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events. [4] Similarly, adherence to MeDi is associated with a slower cognitive decline and lower risk of developing Alzheimer disease (AD). [5] Epidemiologic and metabolic studies suggest that MeDi is a healthy eating plan and benefits individuals greatly, [2-5] reducing the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, Parkinson diesease, AD, and increasing life expectancy.
Adoption of MeDi is not only a healthy eating plan but also has therapeutic potential, becoming a necessity for all.
1. Gu Y, Brickman AM, Stern Y, et al. Mediterranean diet and brain structure in a multiethnic elderly cohort. Neurology Epub 2015 Oct 21.
2. Schwingshackl L, Hoffmann G. Adherence to Mediterranean diet and risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Int J Cancer 2014;135:1884-97.
3. Tektonidis TG, Akesson A, Gigante B, Wolk A, Larsson SC. A Mediterranean diet and risk of myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke: A population-based cohort study. Atherosclerosis 2015; 243:93-98.
4. Estruch R, Ros E, Salas-Salvado J, et al. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. N Engl J Med 2013;368:1279-1290.
5. Lourida I, Soni M, Thompson-Coon J, et al. Mediterranean diet, cognitive function, and dementia: a systematic review. Epidemiology 2013;24:479-89.
For disclosures, please contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org.