Question (Aug 16, 2009 at 10:26am)

Aug. 16, 2009 at 10:26am

I am a heart patient and have your books, THE ROAD TO A HEALTHY HEART RUNS THROUGH THE KITCHEN and THE HEALTHY HEART COOKBOOK, which are excellent. Both advocate a Mediterranean-type diet. I understand that this is the recommended way to eat for heart health, but I'm starting to hear about other benefits as well, particularly regarding Alzheimer's. Can you comment?

Posted in Questions by Anonymous

Comments (1)

Joe says:

A Mediterranean-type diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruit, legumes, fish, whole grains, olive oil and moderate alcohol has long been linked with better cardiovascular health (particularly when coupled with regular exercise.) It has been the basis for the way I have eaten since my bypass surgery in 1977.

New studies are now finding that eating this way and exercising may reduce the risk of mental decline in old age as well. A study by the Columbia University's Taub Institute on 1,800 elderly people found that diet and exercise were linked to less risk for Alzheimer's disease and another study in France found a correlation between a Mediterranean-type diet and slower cognitive damage such as dementia.

Doctors stress that the benefits of healthy eating and exercise are cumulative over a lifetime, not just something you start to do when you turn 70. So, the earlier you start, the better the potential benefit. Says Dr. David Knopman, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, "Healthy diet and exercise is part of a package of lifelong healthy living."


1 | Aug. 16, 2009 at 10:39am

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