Steak and potatoes. (Mine was steak and rice, with sweet potatoes…) Remember that? That used to be the staple diet for most Americans. That was then- when I was growing up…and, sometime in the 80’s and 90’s, our diets began to change.
Now, we have some long term data to see if this change in our diets has made a difference. So, Drs. C. Samieri [INSERM, France], M.K. Townsend, S. E. Chiuve, O.I. Okereke, M. Stampfer, F. Grodstein [all from Peter Bent Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston], and Q. Sun, and W. C. Willett, [these last 2 from Harvard Public Health] decided to “visit” 10,670 women who had adopted the Mediterranean diet or employed the Alternative Healthy Eating diet for at least 15 years. Their report is found in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
In case you don’t remember, Mediterranean style eating involves more plant-based foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts), whole grains, fish, and less red/processed meats, with only moderate levels of alcohol. For those who live in the Mediterranean (hence the name of the diet) or have lived there centuries ago, data had indicated that they had more controlled cholesterol and blood sugar levels. These characteristics were indications for attenuated cases of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer- with lower risks for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
The Alternative Healthy Eating (AHE) diet (as shown in the diagram above) was developed by the Harvard School of Public Health because they were dissatisfied with the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) pyramid system. This new diet was strongly influenced by the Mediterranean one. It consisted of a more plant-based diet, consumption of fish twice a week, and recognized that meat, poultry, and eggs are too high in “solid fats” (saturated and trans- fats) and were replaced instead by more fish and nuts.
When these women adopted either of these diets (Mediterranean or AHE), they were in their 50’s and 60’s (median age of 59). They were assessed periodically by the researchers and assessed for “healthy aging”. This was defined as surviving to 70 years or higher with no major chronic diseases and no major impairments to their physical function, cognitive capabilities, or mental health.
Those women whose diet more closely matched the AHE version had 46% better odds for ‘healthy’ versus ‘normal’ aging. Those using the conventional Mediterranean diet racked up a 34% improvement, as a result of their diet choices. Both had higher likelihood of no major limitations to either their physical functions or mental health.
So, what does this mean? First of all, we must examine the study parameters. Most of these women were White. And, there were no men in the study. So, extending these results to other races or to men is iffy at best. But, in any case, the data indicates that once a woman has attained the age of 50, adopting one of these diets is the key to a more satisfying life as they age.
But, it couldn’t hurt to keep that in mind now that the feasting (overeating?) season is almost upon us.
There’s so much information and so many conflicting points of view on this matter of which type of diet is best for our bodies that it makes my head swim. A trip to the thrift store book section shows how many diets people have abandoned. There’s the Paleo diet and the Caveman diet, the raw food diet and so many others. If you ever figure out which way of eating is best for all (and I’d really like to live to 100, please) then please, Roy, let me know!
So, which would you be more likely to trust, Amy? A diet propounded by a soul (man or woman) with a book to sell, a canned diet to deliver, or a menu to sell….or those medical researchers who are just publishing their findings in medical/scientific journals? (NO, the Ladies Home Journal, Mother Jones, Mens Health, Womens Health or Prevention are NOT scientific journals- they are rags looking to sell advertising. They may provide entertaining stories, but balanced, non-biased research they proffer not!)
That’s just my $0.02, Amy!
A diet for life? | http://t.co/NjmjcX1YVm via @Adjuvancy << Now it’s burgers and fries.
Heeey Roy! Well, for one I like those odds (34% better odds) and concur that this way of eating vs the USDA system (which I don’t care for either) could do us a world of difference in eliminating diseases and such. Thanks for sharing!
Kesha Brown recently posted..Embrace The Shake: Learning To Live With So Called Limitations
I’m with you, Lakesha. (OK, figuratively… I know you are not right over here…:-) )
But, yes, I’ve cut out a fair amount of meat from my diet (sniff, sniff- I love the red stuff, the REALLY red stuff) and use fish (not farmed) and quinoa and kasha to round out my diet…
I don’t expect I’ll live longer- but I do expect to live better as long as I live.
USDA vs AHE eating pyramid…Which do you prefer? >> A diet for life? http://t.co/rgJyK4B6mF via @Adjuvancy #healthyeating
I’ve heard several good things about the Mediterranean diet…all good. During the past few years I’ve cut out most red meat and substituted fish. As with anything, though, everything in moderation. Reducing alcohol, sugar and white grains can be tough, but can make a difference. Great graphic, btw. I’m going to refer to it often.
Lisa Kanarek recently posted..Getting Work Done At Home, Even During the Holidays
You have great advice there, Lisa…
Let’s hope eating well lets us live well…
Are you for the Mediterranean Diet or the Healthy Eating diet? http://t.co/ubHLxiRO3J
I like how you looked at the study parameters to determine who the study applies to, and who it can be extended to. I’m working on my MSW at UBC, and we’re just learning how to “read” research studies so we know whether or not the findings can be generalized to the population at large.
Thank for commenting on my blog posts, Roy. I appreciate it! 🙂
Laurie recently posted..Dealing With Depression When You Can’t Get Pregnant
Thanks for the comment- and the visit, Laurie!!!
And, yes, anyone who just reads a study and thinks it applies to everyone and anyone does a tremendous disservice… (Kind of like seeing how a defibrillator works on an otherwise healthy patient!)
I believe what you composed was very reasonable.
But, think about this, what if you were to write a awesome headline?
I ain’t saying your information isn’t solid, however suppose you added something
to maybe get people’s attention? I mean A diet for life?
| is a little plain. You might look at Yahoo’s front page and see how they create post headlines to
grab people to click. You might add a related video or a pic or two to
grab readers excited about what you’ve written. Just my opinion, it might bring your posts a little bit more interesting.
pc2000 recently posted..pc2000
Thanks, Evelyne, for your suggestions.
I would prefer not to go for too much hype. And, obviously, contrary to your thoughts, I consider the statement- with the question mark- the proper appellation for the post. Is it the proper diet for life? Is is the diet for life?
It’s all in the eye of the beholder.
(I certainly don’t see what video could enhance the discussion- without digressing from the material. But, I do appreciate your thoughts. If you could determine a video that would enhance it- I could be game.
And, the image is the perfect one for the material. I go for facts- with humor and irony, generally. Not for sizzle- without the steak… Come on, you knew there’d be some corny reference, there…)