Mediterranean Diet Pepi Granat, M.D. 5/27/2018 Pepi Granat, MD

Introduction The Mediterranean diet What is it? Who eats it? Why should we care? “Greater adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet is associated with a significant reduction in total mortality. “ 5/27/2018 Pepi Granat, MD

Diet = Definition of word Common misconception of “diet” I ask: “What is your diet?” Patient answers: “I’m not on a diet” So I ask: “What do you eat?” Note: Everyone has a diet!!! Your “DIET” is: WHAT YOU EAT every day NOT what you do to lose weight or comply with doctor’s instructions And: “YOU ARE what you eat.” 5/27/2018 Pepi Granat, MD

Death & diet Why do people die? Life span could be 120 years! Sedentary habits Obesity Heart disease Cancer Drugs: Nicotine & alcohol Trauma 5/27/2018 Pepi Granat, MD

Diet content Specifically & simply: the Mediterranean diet is Fruits & vegetables Whole grains Olive oil Fish Evidence: Multiple medical articles, especially NEJM Vol 348:2599-2608 June 26, 2003 No. 26 It matters to YOU. You can do it. 5/27/2018 Pepi Granat, MD

The Mediterranean Diet and Mortality — Olive Oil and Beyond 5/27/2018 Hu FB.NEJM Vol 348:2595-2596      June 26, 2003 Next   

Change: Difficult, not Impossible Change can be: Incremental (little by little) Monumental (sudden) Decide how you’re likely to adhere Change STARTS with BELIEF Motivation comes AFTER belief So change starts between your EARS It’s all in your head – but it ends up on your ARTERIES 5/27/2018 Pepi Granat, MD

Real Life Here’s an example: Mr. Joe Grand: Age 55; Family man; loves new grandbaby Weighs 250 lb., 5’11” Cholesterol 250; HDL 35; ratio 7.1 Eats meat & potatoes Watches TV; no exercise Father died at 65 with sudden heart attack Where is he headed? (Doesn’t he already know this? Why no change?) 5/27/2018 Pepi Granat, MD

What This Means Everyone should pay MUCH more attention to food intake Remember: It’s only in your mouth a little while It’s on your arteries forever Forever is a lot shorter than it could be 5/27/2018 Pepi Granat, MD

Mediterranean Diet It’s delicious & easy It’s good for you If you don’t fantasize the foods that are NOT good for you, you won’t miss them Start doing it: you’ll get used to it Remember: fruits, vegetables, grains, olive oil, fish – MAINLY Small amounts other food are ok GOOD LUCK!!!!!!! 5/27/2018 Pepi Granat, MD

The Mediterranean Diet and Mortality — Olive Oil and Beyond 5/27/2018 Hu FB.NEJM Vol 348:2595-2596      June 26, 2003 Next   

Plans & Promises You need to THINK about your nutrition every day You need to enjoy your life – but don’t sabotage your arteries You need to make changes you can live with – not fad diets and stop-gap solutions You need to find a general physician who knows you & your special problems, and can follow you over time 5/27/2018 Pepi Granat, MD