Article courtesy of Dr. Joel Kahn, MD, who is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine, one of the world’s top cardiologists, a best-selling author, lecturer, and a leading expert in plant-based nutrition and holistic care.
At the Kahn Center, we stress education on nutrition on every visit and provide a list of documentaries, books, and podcasts to study at home. While the emphasis is on a whole food plant diet (healthy vegan), information on the Mediterranean (MED) diet is also provided due to a large body of science supporting it.
Now, a new study suggests that women who follow the MED diet may live longer and better.
STUDY
The cohort study included initially healthy women from the Women’s Health Study, who had provided blood samples, biomarker measurements, and dietary information. Baseline data included self-reported demographics and a validated food-frequency questionnaire. The data collection period was from April 1993 to January 1996, and data analysis took place from June 2018 to November 2023.
The MED diet score (range, 0-9) was computed based on 9 dietary components.
Thirty-three blood biomarkers, including traditional and novel lipid, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein, inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolism measurements, were evaluated. Mortality and cause of death were determined from medical and death records.
RESULTS
Among 25,315 female participants, the mean age was 55 (7.1) years. The median MED diet adherence score was 4.0.
Over 25 years of follow-up, 3,879 deaths occurred.
Groups with better-than-average adherence to the MED diet had a 16% lower death rate and those with the highest adherence had a 23% lower death rate.
Of the biomarkers examined, small molecule metabolites and inflammatory biomarkers contributed most to the lower mortality risk followed by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, body mass index, and insulin resistance, all of which were better in the group with the best adherence to the MED diet.
CONCLUSIONS
In this cohort study, the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a 23% lower risk of all-cause mortality. This association was partially explained by multiple cardiometabolic factors.
While we will continue to teach and advocate for a whole good plant-based diet (healthy vegan) for health, the environment, and animal rights, in patients not willing to adopt a fully WFPB diet, the MED diet is a proven health plan.
Nutrition is a key factor for healthspan and lifespan.
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About the author: At his core, Dr. Joel Kahn believes that plant-based nutrition is the most powerful source of preventative medicine on the planet. Having practiced traditional cardiology since 1983, it was only after his own commitment to a plant-based vegan diet that Dr. Kahn truly began to delve into the realm of non-traditional diagnostic tools, prevention tactics, and nutrition-based recovery protocols.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Content may be edited for style and length.
References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.kahnlongevitycenter.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-kahn-md-757a59225/
https://www.facebook.com/drjoelkahn
https://www.kahnlongevitycenter.com/blog/can-the-med-diet-save-the-lives-of-women
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2819335