Research conducted in the latest years have shown that the use of Mediterranean diet significantly decreases the risk of a stroke occurrence. It is the third most frequent cause of death and the main reason for permanent disability in people over 40 years old. It is estimated that every year 4,6 m of people die because of a stroke and in Poland about 60 thousands new cases are registered every year. Introduction of Mediterranean diet has a chance to decrease morbidity in this group of diseases.
According to WHO’s definition a stroke is a sudden occurrence of focal or global brain functions disorders lasting for more than 24 hours and stemming exceptionally from vascular reasons. About 72-86% of strokes has ischemic character while 9-18% is caused by intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhages. In European population strokes are caused mostly by arteriosclerosis changes. What is more, they may occur because of, i.a. heart rate disorders, embolus, inflammatory changes, aneurysms and hemorrhagic condition.
Mediterranean diet is traditionally used by people inhabiting Mediterranean Sea area, for example, in countries such as Italy, France, Greece and Turkey. It assumes high intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts and cereal products, moderate intake of alcohol and fish, low intake of red meat, full-fat cheese, and the use of olive oil for meal preparation. Positive influence of the diet on health has been known for years, however, it were the latest scientific research which confirmed its protective influence in case of a stroke.
One of the research was conducted in the area of Northern Manhattan in New York settled by multiethnic population. Among 2568 participants 55% were Spanish people, 24% non-Spanish people of black race and 21% were non-Spanish people of white race. Percentage of women was 64% and the age of the participants was 69 ± 10 years. The fact whether the people stuck to the diet or not was assessed on the basis of questionnaire by granting points on 10 points scale. During observation which lasted for 9 years the scientists noted 518 cases of a sudden vascular disorders. Their occurrence was significantly lower than in people who eat products typical for Mediterranean Sea region.
74 866 women aged 38-63 took part in another research. Eating habits were assessed with the use of questionnaire distributed 6 times among the participants. 1763 cases of a stroke were noted. Analysis of the results has shown that the risk of vascular incidents was lower in women who used Mediterranean diet. They not only had lower level of C Reactive Protein, interleukin 6 and endothelial tissue activity marker, but also more beneficial concentration of adiponectin, which is a cytokine connected with the risk of heart diseases. Their blood pressure was lowered and LDL amount was decreased while they had increased HDL value.
Written by: Karolina Gasińska, Anna Szajerska
Source:
1. American Heart Association. Heart and stroke facts 1996 statistical supplement. American Heart Association, Dallas 1995.
2. Corella D, Carrasco P, Sorlí JV, et al. Mediterranean diet reduces the adverse effect of the TCFL2-rs7903146 polymorphism on cardiovascular risk factors and stroke incidence. Diabetes Care 2013 August 13.
3. Fung TT, Rexrode KM, Mantzoros CS, et al. Mediterranean diet and incidence and mortality of coronary heart disease and stroke in women. Circulation 2009 March 3; 119(8): 1093–1100.
4. Gardener H, Wright CB, Gu Y, et al. Mediterranean-style diet and risk of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death: the Northern Manhattan Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2011 December; 94(6): 1458–1464.
5. Mitka M. Mediterranean diet may reduce stroke risk in individuals with genetic predisposition to diabetes. JAMA 2013; 310(10):1013.
6. Shiue I. Mediterranean diet and risk of hemorrhagic stroke: yes or no? Am J Clin Nutr 2012 Jun; 95(6):1495.
7. Trichopoulou A, Costacou T, Bamia C, et al. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and survival in a Greek population. N Engl J Med 2003 Jun 26; 348(26):2599-608.
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Mediterranean diet decreases the risk of a stroke
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