Dieticians Make a Difference and a Call For Recipes
In a study1 of the Mediterranean versus the American Heart Association Step II Diet, individuals had nearly identical morbidity (death) and mortality (recurrent disease) rates after two years. The more important factor in individuals' outcomes was not which of these diets were chosen, but the occurrence of ongoing support from a dietitian or not.
The study included 101 individuals who had a heart attack within six weeks of enrollment. The average age of the group was 58.5 years, the majority of who were men; 94% of the group was white. Members of each group were randomly assigned to eat either the AHA Step 2 diet, which emphasizes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables with moderate protein intake from animal sources such as chicken, beef, pork, or fish.
The Mediterranean diet emphasized fish and other sources of omega 3 fatty acids (flaxseed oil is one example) instead of animal-based fats and allowed for a greater total fat intake from these sources (up to 40% versus 30% of total calories in the Step 2 Diet). The Mediterranean plan also had higher allowances for monounsaturated fats (olive oil is an example), and a slightly smaller carbohydrate allowance (50% versus up to 60% of total calories in the Step 2 diet).
Regardless of diet plan, each study participant had individualized appointments with a registered dietitian at regular intervals, two within the first month, and then in months three, six, twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four, plus counseling in small groups six or more times over the study's two years.
After two years participants had equal mortality and cardiac event-free survival rates, said Katherine R. Tuttle, M.D., of the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., and the University of Washington, at the American College of Cardiology meeting. When the participants were studied out to six years, there were eight events, including death, stroke, unstable angina, or heart failure that occurred in each group, indicating nearly identical outcomes between the two groups.
The studied individuals were also matched to 101 heart attack patients for age, sex, high blood pressure and diabetes status, and heart attack type and treatment. This was the study's control group, who only received dietary instruction on a low-fat diet while in the immediate hospital after their heart attack.
During an average four-year follow-up, the AHA Step 2 and Mediterranean Diet groups had an improved survival rate compared to those who had not had ongoing dietary counseling with a registered dietitian. "It really supports the value of referring patients for dietary intervention," Dr. Tuttle said. "It's very hard to maintain a dietary intervention without assistance."
Personally I much prefer the Mediterranean style diet, with its emphasis on fish and whole grains. I love fish and live near a fishing fleet in the Northeast, where we have lots of fresh options. I also love the foods of the Middle East, with their emphasis on fruits, nuts, beans and whole grains. Somehow it seems much more interesting to me than a typical "Americanized" diet. If anyone among my readers wants to share recipes for heart-healthy foods I'd be glad to post them. If there are enough, we could blog a "recipe" of the week. Anyone want to get us started?
Happy, healthy eating, Laurie
1American College of Cardiology, New Orleans, March 26, 2007
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Technorati Tags: diet, cholesterol, mediterranean diet, tlc diet, american heart association
The study included 101 individuals who had a heart attack within six weeks of enrollment. The average age of the group was 58.5 years, the majority of who were men; 94% of the group was white. Members of each group were randomly assigned to eat either the AHA Step 2 diet, which emphasizes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables with moderate protein intake from animal sources such as chicken, beef, pork, or fish.
The Mediterranean diet emphasized fish and other sources of omega 3 fatty acids (flaxseed oil is one example) instead of animal-based fats and allowed for a greater total fat intake from these sources (up to 40% versus 30% of total calories in the Step 2 Diet). The Mediterranean plan also had higher allowances for monounsaturated fats (olive oil is an example), and a slightly smaller carbohydrate allowance (50% versus up to 60% of total calories in the Step 2 diet).
Regardless of diet plan, each study participant had individualized appointments with a registered dietitian at regular intervals, two within the first month, and then in months three, six, twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four, plus counseling in small groups six or more times over the study's two years.
After two years participants had equal mortality and cardiac event-free survival rates, said Katherine R. Tuttle, M.D., of the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., and the University of Washington, at the American College of Cardiology meeting. When the participants were studied out to six years, there were eight events, including death, stroke, unstable angina, or heart failure that occurred in each group, indicating nearly identical outcomes between the two groups.
The studied individuals were also matched to 101 heart attack patients for age, sex, high blood pressure and diabetes status, and heart attack type and treatment. This was the study's control group, who only received dietary instruction on a low-fat diet while in the immediate hospital after their heart attack.
During an average four-year follow-up, the AHA Step 2 and Mediterranean Diet groups had an improved survival rate compared to those who had not had ongoing dietary counseling with a registered dietitian. "It really supports the value of referring patients for dietary intervention," Dr. Tuttle said. "It's very hard to maintain a dietary intervention without assistance."
Personally I much prefer the Mediterranean style diet, with its emphasis on fish and whole grains. I love fish and live near a fishing fleet in the Northeast, where we have lots of fresh options. I also love the foods of the Middle East, with their emphasis on fruits, nuts, beans and whole grains. Somehow it seems much more interesting to me than a typical "Americanized" diet. If anyone among my readers wants to share recipes for heart-healthy foods I'd be glad to post them. If there are enough, we could blog a "recipe" of the week. Anyone want to get us started?
Happy, healthy eating, Laurie
1American College of Cardiology, New Orleans, March 26, 2007
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: diet, cholesterol, mediterranean diet, tlc diet, american heart association
1 Comments:
I was look for informatin on bad cholesterol, but did not find helpful information in this article. Can you please give me some references. My doctor says I have a high bad cholesterol count.
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