Home Search Sitemap Contact Bookmark

Free Dissertations - Health Dissertations

2000) Metabolic Syndrome, (das U N 2002 (b)). And Abnormal Coagulation ...

2000) metabolic syndrome, (Das U N 2002 (B)). and abnormal coagulation processes (Libby P 2002) then it seems reasonable that if the Mediterranean Diet works by reducing or modulating the inflammatory responses and modifying the coagulation mechanisms, that these parameters should be measurable. The Attica study set out to investigate this hypothesis. The study is complex but the results can be fairly succinctly presented.

The first, and arguably most significant, finding was that the degree of adherence to the diet was directly proportional to the degree of measurable reduction in the inflammation markers measured and therefore strongly support the hypothesis that one of the mechanisms of action of the diet is by reducing the levels of inflammation and coagulation in the body.

If one considers one of the major clinical markers of cardiovascular disease to be atherosclerosis then there is considerable evidence that the Mediterranean Diet reduces this phenomenon (Libby P et al. 2001). This study specifically links a reduction in markers such as C-reactive protein , IL-6, homocysteine, and fibrinogen levels, as well as white blood cell counts with a reduction in cardiovascular morbidity as well as the previously demonstrated links with inhibition of interleukin and tumour necrosis factor (Endres S et al. 1989). We note that there were associations (of only borderline statistical significance) with
tumour necrosis factor-alpha and amyloid A levels.

The study also specifically considers the association of the Mediterranean Diet with attenuation of the clotting process and hypothesises that the association between raised levels of fibrinogen and cardiovascular disease may be a result (in part) of inflammatory processes in the body (supported by a meta analysis by Danesh J et al. 1998).

Alcohol specifically receives attention in this trial. Other studies have pointed to the fact that intake of modest amounts are associated with low levels of coronary artery disease (Kromhout D et al. 2002). Various authorities have suggested that the possible mechanisms may include a mild vasodilator effect, a specific increase in HDL cholesterol serum levels and the presence in wines of flavinoids and a variety of other anti-oxidative nutrients. (Imhof A et al. 2001). The Attica study shows a strong statistical relationship between a modest alcohol intake and a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk. Like the authors of the Seven Countries Study

The case against the Mediterranean Diet
Thus far in this essay we have examined the trials exploring the Mediterranean Diet and its putative cardioprotective function from a positive viewpoint.


Thanks