Effects of the Mediterranean diet on the cardiovascular risk factors

• Main Authors: María Rodríguez González, Mª Loreto Tárraga Marcos, Fátima Madrona Marcos, Ibrahim M. Sarek, Carmen Celada Roldan, Pedro J Tárraga-López
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Asociación Para el Progreso de la Biomedicina 2019-01-01
• Series: Jounal of Negative and No Positive Results
• Subjects: Mediterranean diet; ; cardiovascular disease; ; blood pressure; diabetes; inflammation
• Online Access: https://www.jonnpr.com/PDF/2787.pdf

Background: Eating habits have been modified, which together with a more sedentary lifestyle has contributed to a significant increase in cardiovascular risk factors and consequently in cardiovascular disease. It is believed that this epidemic could be reduced with a change to a healthier lifestyle and diet, such as the Mediterranean diet. Objetive: To demonstrate the benefit of the Mediterranean diet as a valid dietary pattern for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease Methods: study of the articles found in bibliographic review of different databases through systematic technique Results: In interventions with Mediterranean diet, a global beneficial effect on blood pressure has been observed with significant reductions in systolic, diastolic or both depending on the study. There is also a positive effect on glucose levels, HbA1c and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus with a significant level of significance. Regarding the lipid profile, the results are more variable, although generally it is considered that there is a reduction of total cholesterol, triglycerides, concentration and oxidation of LDL and ApoB and an increase of HDL. Inflammatory markers such as CRP, IL6, IL8, TNF alpha, ICAM, P-selectin, are also reduced in several of the studies analyzed. Likewise, the Mediterranean diet has proven to be an useful tool in the reversal of the metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: After a few decades in which prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases focused on the use of low-fat diets, the Mediterranean diet is currently emerging as a healthier alternative since it has shown a greater reduction in blood pressure, glycaemia, lipid profile, markers of inflammation and endothelial damage.