The medicinal value of a good diet

Since the Greeks, have been given much importance to food in relation to health and disease. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, attributed to the diet an essential role in the processes of disease and as a universal therapeutic remedy.

Since the 1970s, interest in the diet gets a new boost. The great pioneering epidemiological studies draw attention to the risks associated with poor diet and high intakes of some components such as fats, especially saturated fat. Other studies show that concentrations of blood cholesterol (cholesterol) are among the risk factors more directly involved in the origin of cardiovascular disease and, specifically, in relation to ischemic heart disease.

These results and other epidemiological evidence have ratified the interest of the diet in the prevention and treatment of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Started to take off the prospect of maintaining desirable weight, with a diet low in fat and high percentage of complex carbohydrates, accompanied by physical exercise and moderation in alcohol consumption may have effects positive to avoid both obesity and hypertension and other ailments collateral. Another conclusion of these large studies is located on the need to limit salt intake.

It is almost certain that a family has been informed that you have "removed the salt or sugar or fat."

European health authorities have set fulminate excess salt, as it relates to hypertension and cardiovascular disorders. And too much is, according to World Health Organization, exceed 5 grams per day. In other words, a spoonful of dessert, when in Spain is estimated that on average, take 11. Similar fate of sugar, too much consumption of which is associated with obesity.

Everybody is perfectly agreed that the salt and sugar are necessary elements in a balanced diet. That would completely eliminate harmful, unrealistic and would undermine the pleasure of eating. "The key is moderation."

Protecting Vegetables
Today we have solid and consistent evidence regarding the protective role of fruit and vegetables on cardiovascular disease. Most of the studies, but not all, show that fish consumption is associated with lower cardiovascular risk mediated primarily by omega-3 fatty acids. In some population studies have observed a protective role also involved in regular consumption of nuts on cardiovascular risk.
Considering the diet as a whole, the traditional Mediterranean diet has a favorable profile for protective cardiovascular and other degenerative diseases, is rich in olive oil, includes moderate consumption of wine with meals, includes a high intake of vegetables, high consumption of cereals, including bread, substantial consumption of fruits and vegetables, low meat and meat products and moderate milk and dairy products. Without doubt, the reference diet at this point in history.