Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos, PhD, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
Christos E. Pitsavo, MD, PhD, FESC, FACC, First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece.
The beneficial effect of the Mediterranean diet on human health has been advocated since the Renaissance. There are now several scientific evidences that relate this traditional dietary pattern with the incidence of coronary heart disease, various types of cancer and other diseases. However, only in the past few years have several observational and clinical studies suggested mechanisms by which this traditional diet may affect coronary risk. This review underlines the importance of the Mediterranean dietary pattern in the primary prevention of coronary heart disease.
Key words: Mediterranean diet, risk, coronary heart disease.
