My intent with this blog is to share ideas regarding implementation of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle for improved health, longer life, and weight management. Additional focus will be on updating what we know about the lifestyle, and how we might improve it.
The traditional Mediterranean diet of the mid-20th century is associated with longer lifespan and lower rates of chronic disease, especially heart attacks, strokes, cancer, dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Only recently has the Mediterranean diet been incorporated into effective weight-loss strategies for overweight people. Wider adherence to Mediterranean-style eating will lead to population-wide improvements in longevity and health, regardless of changes in individual weights.
The traditional Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, olive oil, judicious amounts of wine, with minimal saturated fats. Dairy products are mostly cheese and yogurt. Other characteristics are daily fresh fruits, seasonal locally grown foods with minimal processing, less than four eggs per week, small amounts of red meat, poultry in low to moderate amounts, and concentrated sugars only a few times per week. This traditional diet composition is now much less common in the Mediterranean region, thanks to “modernization,” if not Americanization.
Expert concensus is that the physically active lifestyles of the mid-20th century Mediterraneans also contributed to improved health and longevity. Alas, this active lifestyle is also waning.
I welcome your participation here. You have ideas I have never thought. You have sources unavailable to me. You read books and journals I never see. You have experiences I can only imagine. I simply request that you be polite, refrain from profanity, and try to keep your comments pertinent.
Steve Parker, M.D., December 25, 2007
Update February 13, 2012:
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Last page modification: February 13, 2012
Advanced Mediterranean Diet 
I am enjoying your blog and the subject matter. I recently began eating mediterranean/gluten-free. I will begin transitioning my blog to reflect that and would love to connect with you.
Great blog. I would like to get your take on the use of the Med diet for people who have gained a lot of weight while taking psychiatric medications, especially atypical antipsychotics. I have heard that AAs not only increase appetite, but also inhibit metabolism by imparing mitochondrial energy production. They also cause insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Everyone I know who is on these drugs is fat. Is there any hope that the Med diet can fix this?
Good question. But it’s never been studied scientifically, and likely never will be.
It is a very difficult nut to crack.
The Mediterranean diet would be worth a try.
-Steve
I am giving it serious try. Keto didn’t work for me. I didn’t lose weight and hated the food choices. At least the MedDiet is real food, not meat, meat, and more meat, inspersed with cream, butter, and more cream. Ugh. You have to question a diet that claims that carrots have too many carbs.
I will report! Thanks. BW