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The Mediterranean Diet

Diet and nutrition image.

Vegetarian? High carb? Low carb? Gluten-free? High protein? Seems wherever you turn, the latest diet is in the headlines. What’s the right choice for a would-be dieter or health-conscious eater?

One style of eating that is popular in the southern Mediterranean area, in countries such as Greece, Portugal, southern Italy, southern France and Spain, is appropriately named the “Mediterranean Diet.”

What’s so special about the Mediterranean Diet? Studies suggest that those who follow this diet receive the following health benefits:

  • Decreased risk for cardiovascular disease
  • Lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease
  • Higher life expectancy rate
  • Decreased risk for certain types of cancer

And even though as much as 40% of the daily caloric intake of this diet comes from eating fats, the type of fat that is consumed reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease. The reason? Olive oil. Olive oil is a major source of antioxidants and a monosaturated fat that does not raise cholesterol levels.

This diet is considered healthier than northern European and American diets because it relies heavily on the daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, cheese and yogurt. Fish, a major source of omega-3 fatty acids, is consumed several times a week and red meat is limited to once or twice a month.

Another factor is thought to be that those who reside in the Mediterranean region as well as other parts of Europe do not rely on cars as their basic means to travel. Thus they are more apt to walk and get sufficient exercise.

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Dr. Todd Asks some important questions of interest to Fort Myers residents - Chiropractor Fort Myers Dr. Todd Asks...

How do you know when you're healthy?
Ask most Fort Myers residents this simple question and you're likely to hear, "When you feel good" or "When you're at your proper weight for your height" or "When you have lots of energy and vitality." Great answers. But our chiropractic patients know that true health is when your body is working as it was designed. True health is how you function, not how you feel.
What's a side effect?
It may sound like a bonus; something extra, but chiropractors know it should more accurately called an "unintended effect," and "unwanted effect" or in some cases an "adverse effect." A pill can't come close to matching your body's ability to create and deliver the essential compounds it needs. That's when it's important to make sure your nervous system is working correctly—the purpose of chiropractic care!