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There is substantial research that shows a Mediterranean diet provides protection against type 2 diabetes.
Mediterranean meals are rich in olive oil, grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and fish, but have very little meat, dairy, or alcohol.
Current evidence suggests that such a diet has a protective role in cardiovascular disease, but little is known about how this diet effects those with type 2 diabetes.
The study was conducted by taking 13,000 graduates from the University of Navarra in Spain who had no history of diabetes, and who were recruited between December 1999 and November 2007; the study consisted of having each participants dietary habits and health tracked.
To start the study off, the graduates all completed a questionnaire designed by the developers of the project. The questions were summarized at 136 and asked the participants specific questions that related to how they cooked, what types of oils they used, and their dietary supplements.
The participants were then notified every two years by a questionnaire that asked each about their diet, lifestyle, and other medical conditions. From this information, researchers were able to pick up new cases of diabetes
During the follow-up period (median 4.4 years) the researchers from the University of Navarra found that participants who stuck closely to the diet had a lower risk of diabetes. A high adherence to the diet was associated with an 83% relative reduction in the risk of developing diabetes.
Interestingly, those participants who stuck strictly to the diet also were thought to have the highest risk factors for diabetes, premature aging, a family history of diabetes, and a higher proportion of ex-smokers.
This was not the case. In fact, they had a lower risk of diabetes, suggesting that the diet might provide substantial protection.
The primary compounds of the diet include a high intake of fiber, vegetable fat, trans fatty acids, and a moderate intake of alcohol.
A primary element in this diet is the abundant use of virgin oil for cooking, frying, spreading on bread, and dressing salads.
The researchers concluded by calling for larger members and trials to confirm their findings.
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For the past thirty years, Dr. Lorna Mistranski has researched extracts that offer the best results in diet pills. She has a free diet pillsinformation site that offers sound advice when looking for which diet solution is right for you. She also has an informative blog that looks at the best free diet pillstrials available and which ones to avoid.
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