Is a Mediterranean Diet the best heart-healthy option?

A new paper highlights the benefits of a Mediterranean Diet in preventing cardiovascular disease. Photo: Getty

Leading UK doctors are urging people to adopt a Mediterranean Diet rather than taking statins to prevent cardiovascular disease events.

According to an editorial in healthcare journal Prescriber, a trio of doctors have urged patients to consider the Mediterranean Diet as an alternative to the cholesterol-lowering drug.

In the editorial, the doctors believe health professionals should detail the risks and benefits of using statins, and also alternative lifestyle changes, allowing patients to decide on the approach they favour.

The piece reignites the debate over statins, a widely-prescribed drug for lowering cholesterol. According to the doctors, fewer than one in 200 patients may actually benefit from the drugs.

In the paper, the authors instead point out that cardiovascular disease is caused by lifestyle factors including nutrition, physical activity and smoking, and lifestyle changes like diet should be considered as an alternative treatment.

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They state that when doctors are considering those in danger of heart attack or stroke: “Patients should be counselled about the nature and value of a healthy diet. A Mediterranean diet in moderation, with as little processed food as possible, is a cardiovascular intervention tested in randomised trials and shown to reduce [cardiovascular disease] events.”

They claim that in contrast, “a limited percentage of patients” benefit from statins. The editorial states that it is a small minority (around 0.5 per cent) of people who take statins as preventative medicine avoid cardiovascular disease events for five years.

Following a Mediterranean diet is also though to boost longevity, and reduce the risk of diabetes, thanks to its focus on healthy fats, vegetables, grains, fish and minimal red meat consumption.

However, if you are considering adopting a Mediterranean approach to your diet, be sure to talk to your GP before changing any medication.

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