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Mediterranian Diet

By: M. Goz

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The Mediterranean Diet refers to an age-old eating pattern typical of the traditional diets in Southern Italy, Greece, and Spain. Scientific evidence indicates that consuming a Mediterranean-style diet results in significant health benefits including the reduced likelihood of cardiovascular disease and cancer. This is especially important for men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), also called hormone therapy, since they are at higher risk for both cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes).

The Mediterranean diet focuses on fresh, whole foods as compared to the highly processed foods found in the typical American diet. The diet incorporates a greater quantity of vegetables, legumes (beans and peas), fruits, nuts and whole grains. The main fat used is olive oil and there is less use of highly saturated fats such as butter and lard. Replacing beef and poultry as the main animal protein, the Mediterranean diet incorporates mostly fish with some dairy products. Most of the dairy foods are in the form of cultured products like cheeses and yogurt. The lower intake of poultry and red meats is combined with a moderate consumption of red wine, preferably with meals.

For a book that will provide specific recipes that conform to the principles discussed here I recommend The Miami Mediterranean Diet: Lose Weight and Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease with 300 Delicious Recipes found at Amazon.com for about $12.

The Mediterranean Diet has been proven to mitigate the degenerative factors that causes many of our most life-threatening diseases. While this diet has been promoted primarily as a way to prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes, many Prostate Cancer specialists suggest that it also provides significant benefits in slowing the progression of Prostate Cancer. They hypothesize that these benefits are related to the olive oil and fish oil, both major components of the Mediterreanean diet.

Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is the primary component of olive oil and has been shown to block an oncogene that encourages the growth of cancer cells. Also, the polyphenol-rich compounds in olive oil are powerful antioxidants which reduce oxidative DNA. The omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are believed to slow the progression of prostate cancer by reducing dangerous inflammation and promoting healthy gene expression. If you find it too difficult to follow this type of diet the Life Extension Foundation (see banner upper right) has an excellent supplement called Super Omega-3 providing large amounts of both components. However, it is always better to get your nutrients from fresh whole foods.

Although the Mediterranean diet is moderately high in fat, it is primarily monounsaturated fat from olive oil and nuts. Red wine is also a staple of the Mediterranean diet and has certain cholesterol reducing effects. Studies indicate that Prostate Cancer is made worse by high Cholesterol. In one study it was found that men with prostate cancer were more likely to have had high cholesterol levels than men without prostate cancer. The connection was more evident for men who had high cholesterol at a younger age and for men over 65. This research corresponds to recent findings that men taking prescription statins (medication to reduce cholesterol such as Crestor, Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, and Zocor) had a slowing of progression in their prostate cancer. If you have Prostate Cancer and your cholesterol is over 200 you should talk to your doctor about adding one of the statin drugs.

In summary, the Mediterranean diet works because it greatly reduces saturated fat consumption and totally removes trans fats from your diet. The net result is a reduction in atherosclerosis and significant improvement in overall cardiovascular health. This pattern of eating also reduces inflammation while providing significant quantities of free radical-fighting antioxidants.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

I believe that an important part of my success at slowing the progression of my Prostate Cancer has been the vitamins and supplements that I take each day. After months of visiting different websites I found the best source for information, research and the products themselves at LifeExtension.com Visit their website and search Prostate Cancer for some of the best information around. To read all my articles/blogs visi

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