Mediterranean Diet Lowers Heart Risk in India Study
(NY, Reuter's Health, 11/9/02)

Dr. Ram B. Singh of the Medical Hospital and Research Center in Moradabad, India and colleagues studied 1000 Indian adults who had symptoms of heart disease or who had previously had a heart attack. They randomly assigned participants to either a Mediterranean-style diet that was rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and soy bean oil or to a diet espoused by the US National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). Both groups limited fat intake to less than 30% of calories, as recommended by NCEP. After 2 years, both groups had lowered their cholesterol, but the Mediterranean diet group had even lower cholesterol levels and a reduced risk of both fatal and non-fatal heart attacks. These findings suggest that, even for people who already have heart problems, a diet that promotes the consumption of the types of foods found in the Mediterranean diet supports heart health more effectively than diets that focus only on restricting fat intake.