20 Sep Mediterranean Diet Linked To Stroke Risk Reduction in Women
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Professor Phyo Kyaw Myint MBBS MD FRCP(Edin) FRCP(Lond)
Clinical Chair in Medicine of Old Age
Academic Lead: Ageing Clinical & Experimental Research &
Director of Clinical Academic Training Development
The Lead Academic, Aberdeen Clinical Academic Training (ACAT) Programmes
School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition
College of Life Sciences & Medicine, University of Aberdeen
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: While Mediterranean Diet has been linked to reduced stroke risk it remains unclear
(1) its impact on populations within non-Mediterranean countries;
(2) its specific impact on different gender;
(3) the effect observed when using more robust dietary assessments; and (4) which specific components of the diet are most protective.
We therefore studied more than 23 thousand men and women (mainly British Caucasian) aged 40 years or older in Norfolk, UK as part of EPIC-Norfolk study and we found that the greater adherence to Mediterranean dietary pattern is linked to a significant reduction in stroke risk in women but not in men. This benefit was seen across the whole middle and older age population (particularly for women) regardless of their existing risk factors such as high blood pressure.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: A balanced diet rich in fish, olive oil, nuts, fruit and vegetables, legumes etc. which are main components of the Mediterranean diet may have substantial impact in stroke risk reduction at the population level. Therefore, such dietary pattern should be encouraged with regard to stroke prevention.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: We need to know amore about this link in non-Caucasian populations who have different genetic, lifestyle and dietary habits.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: Our findings provide incentive to public to adhere to dietary patterns which are beneficial to health. A balanced diet is important and our study provides strong and robust evidence of role of diet and nutrition in health.
Stroke is a long term condition common in older age and it is associated with increased risk of death and disability and every effort should be made to prevent it. With an increase in ageing populations across the world, it is even more important that we focus on simple and effective preventative measures such as habitual dietary pattern which are shown to reduce stroke risk.
Citation:
Katherine E. Paterson, Phyo K. Myint, Amy Jennings, Lucy K.M. Bain,Marleen A.H. Lentjes, Kay-Tee Khaw and Ailsa A. Welch
Originally published 20 Sep 2018Stroke. 2018;0:2415–2420
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Last Updated on September 20, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD