It's refreshing to find a book about weight loss with a realistic, down-to-earth perspective. Dr. Parker speaks the truth about health, weight loss, and what the Mediterranean Diet can do for people with weight issues. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, add this book to your arsenal. Eve Adamson Author of "The Mediterranean Diet" and numerous other books December 5, 2008
Obesity is an epidemic plaguing America, the rates outright doubling in the past 25 years. "The Advanced Mediterranean Diet: Lose Weight, Feel Better, Live Longer" presents the reader with proven 'Mediterranean Diet' - said to prolong life and reduce rates of chronic disease. It is not a diet for bland tastes either, trumping a focus on many things - whole grains, nuts, fruits, fish, wine, and much more. Dr. Steve Parker has nearly a quarter of a century of experience in practicing medicine, and has had a focus on effective weight loss strategies. Enhanced with indexes, bibliographies, quick and easy recipes, and more, "The Advanced Mediterranean Diet: Lose Weight, Feel Better, Live Longer" is highly recommended to anyone trying to get themselves into better shape and community library health collections. Midwest Book Review May, 2008
A Mediterranean diet has been shown to be the best choice for healthy aging and disease prevention....Research shows it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease more effectively than other diets, including low-fat diets. Dr. Mark Liponis Corporate Medical Director of Canyon Ranch Health Resort Source: Parade Magazine, March 9, 2008, p.10
In countless studies, a Mediterranean-style diet has beeen proven to lower inflammatory markers, reduce metabolic syndrome, eliminate many of the risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease, and lower one's exposure to cancer. In short, this is a diet and lifestyle that not only can make you look and feel great but can help you live a longer, healthier life at the same time. Michael Ozner, M.D., FACC, FAHA Medical Director of the Center for Prevention and Wellness at Baptist Health South Florida Life Extension Magazine, May 2008
The traditional Mediterranean diet...is an ideal eating pattern for prevention of cardiovascular disease. The essence of this diet is the use of natural, whole foods and the avoidance of highly processed ones. We believe that current understanding and scientific evidence are adequate to recommend this diet as a practical, effective, and enjoyable strategy—the new "gold standard"—in heart disease prevention. Brian Curtis, M.D. James O'Keefe, M.D. Source: Postgraduate Medicine (journal), 2002, vol. 112, p.44
Greater adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet is associated with a significant reduction in total mortality. Antonia Trichopoulou, M.D. Tina Costacou, Ph.D. Christina Bamia, Ph.D. Dimitrios Trichopoulos, M.D. Source: New England Journal of Medicine, 2003, vol. 348, p.2,599
What you eat apparently can affect your chances of getting Alzheimer's. For example, the more closely one adheres to the Mediterranean diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, potatoes, beans, nuts, seeds and olive oil), the lower the chances of getting AD [Alzheimer's Disease]. For those who strictly followed such a diet, that risk fell by 40%. There is increasing evidence that a heart-healthy diet is beneficial to the brain. Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld Source: Parade Magazine, November 25, 2007, p.19
Among individuals aged 70 to 90 years, adherence to a Mediterranean diet and healthful lifestyle is associated with a more than 50% lower rate of all-causes and cause-specific mortality. Kim Knoops, M.Sc. Lisette de Groot, Ph.D. Daan Kromhout, Ph.D. Olga Moreiras-Varela, Ph.D. Alessandro Menotti, M.D., Ph.D. Wija van Staveren, Ph.D. Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2004, vol. 292, p.1,433
Although estimates can only be crude, it can be calculated that up to 25% of the incidence of colorectal cancer, approximately 15% of the incidence of breast cancer, and approximately 10% of the incidence of prostate, pancreas, and endometrial cancer could be prevented if the populations of highly developed Western countries could shift to the traditional healthy Mediterranean diet. A. Trichopoulou P. Lagiou D. Trichopoulos Source: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention (journal), 2000, vol. 9, p.869
A moderate-fat, Mediterranean-style diet, controlled in energy [calories], offers an alternative to a low-fat diet with superior long-term participation and adherence, with consequent improvements in weight loss. K. McManus L. Antinoro F. Sacks Source: International Journal of Obesity, 2001, vol. 25, p.1,503
A profusion of data has been published regarding the Mediterranean diet with the use of omega-3 fatty acids and the American Heart Association and NCEP-type diets, all of which require caloric restriction. These diets, particularly the Mediterranean diet, offer far more in terms of protection from CAD [coronary artery disease] and intuitively make more sense. The fact that these and related "common-sense" diets are well-tolerated may contribute to their long-term success. Gerald T. Gau, M.D. Division of Cardiovascular Diseases Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Source: Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2003, vol. 78, p.1,330
...the positive aspects of the traditional Mediterranean diet have gained reputation and importance in the non-pharmacological prevention, control and treatment of hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, obesity, diabetes and even thrombosis that ultimately complicates atherosclerosis. M. Mancini J. Stamler Source: Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases (journal), 2004, vol. 14, p.55
Several dietary approaches have reduced cardiovascular events in randomized clinical trials. Replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat prevented coronary events in men, and a Mediterranean diet and fatty fish improved survival. F.M. Sacks Source: American Journal of Medicine, 2002, vol.113, supplement 9B, p.13
There is consistent basic science and clinical trial evidence for the cardioprotective effects of the Mediterranean Diet, particularly in secondary prevention of acute and fatal myocardial infarction [heart attack]. Patients on a Mediterranean diet have been shown to lose more weight, have lower C-reactive protein levels, have less insulin resistance, have lower total cholesterol and triglycerides and higher HDL levels, and have a decreased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome...The Mediterranean Diet has been shown to be cardioprotective in both prevention of sudden cardiac death and secondary prevention. Parin Parikh, B.A. Michael McDaniel, M.D. M. Dominique Ashen, Ph.D. Joseph Miller, M.D. Matthew Sorrentino, M.D. Vicki Chan, B.S. Roger Blumenthal, M.D. Laurence Sperling, M.D. Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2005, vol. 45, pp.1,383 and 1,385
Evidence is now clear that diets including nonhydrogenated unsaturated fats as the predominant form of dietary fat, whole grains as the main form of carbohydrate, an abundance of fruits and vegtetables, and adequate omega-3 fatty acids can offer significant protection against CHD [coronary heart disease]. Such diets, together with regular physical activity, avoidance of smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight, may prevent the majority of cardiovascular disease in Western populations. Frank B. Hu, M.D., Ph.D. Walter C. Willett, M.D., Dr.PH Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2002, vol. 288, p.256
Myocardial infarction [heart attack] patients can respond positively to simple dietary advice, and this can be expected to lead to a substantial reduction in the risk of early death. Regardless of any drug treatment prescribed, clinicians should routinely advise patients with MI [heart attack] to increase their frequency of consumption of Mediterranean foods [fish, fruit, raw and cooked vegetables, and olive oil]. F. Barzi M. Woodward R.M. Marfisi L. Tavazzi F. Valagussa R. Marchioli Source: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2003, vol. 57, p.604
I've long been a proponent of the Mediterranean diet, a composite of the traditional cuisines of Spain, southern France, Italy, Greece, Crete and parts of the Middle East. More than a year ago, researchers from the University of Athens published a study showing that people who ate a Mediterranean-style diet had a 33 percent reduction in the risk of death from heart disease, and a cancer death rate that was 24 percent lower than the death rate for those who ate more Western-style diets. Andrew Weil, M.D. October, 8, 2004 http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA312659 Accessed online April 4, 2008
The good news is that weight loss, improved heart health, and increased vitality can be realized when proper diet and lifestyle changes occur over the long-term! In fact, the Cleveland Clinic supports a healthy heart-minded Mediterranean diet to achieve both a healthy body weight and healthy heart. The traditional Mediterranean dietary practices that we support include eating minimally processed, plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and unsaturated fats like olives, olive oil, nuts, and seeds. In the Meidterranean way of eating, high fat cuts of meat and dairy are minimized, and omega-3 rich fish is encouraged. Cleveland Clinic http://cms.clevelandclinic.org/body.cfm?id=66 Accessed online April 4, 2008
All matters regarding your health require supervision by a personal physician or other appropriate health professional familiar with your current health status. Always consult your personal physician before making any dietary or exercise changes.