Nutrition Studies -- Real Dietary Research

This Nutrition Studies section will review three of the most important studies on nutrition and how our diets impact our health.

Because the vascular endothelium is such a good marker for most of our eye diseases, two of the studies (Lyon Dietary Study and the HALE Study) will discuss the dietary impacts on vascular health (coronary artery disease).

The third nutrition study, The China Study, will look at the role of animal protein in chronic diseases including diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, cancer and auto-immune diseases.

The Lyon Dietary Study

The Lyon Dietary Study split over 600 patients who had previously survived heart attacks into two groups. One group was placed on a "prudent heart diet" and the other was put on the Mediterranean Diet.

The Mediterranean Diet mimics the natural diet of populations who historically lived in the Mediterranean basin. It is rich in fresh vegetables, a few whole fruits (not juice), rich sources of omega-3 oils such as avocados and seafood, nuts, legumes, some goat cheeses (there were essentially no cows in the basin at that time) and some lean meats.

The results of the study were nothing short of spectacular. The Mediterranean Diet group had 70% less mortality and 50-70% less secondary non-fatal complications such as stroke. The results were so dramatic that the study was repeated four years later, with the same results.

These results were realized despite the fact that the Mediterranean Diet group had no reduction in serum cholesterol.

The HALE Study

The HALE Study (Healthy Ageing Longitudinal Study in Europe) was undertaken by Oxford University. It looked at 2000 men and women over ten years and again compared the Mediterranean Diet to a "normal" diet.

The Mediterranean Diet group had;

• 60% less overall mortality.
• 64% fewer heart attacks.
• 60% less cancer.

These nutrition studies demonstrated the tremendous impact a high-plant-based diet like the Mediterranean Diet has on our health, specifically cardiovascular health.

Recent research indicates that the endothelial damage that results in heart disease is also implicated in numerous eye diseases such as:

• diabetic retinopathy,
• macular degeneration,
• retinal vascular occlusions
• and glaucoma.

The China Study

In 2006 the largest and arguably most important nutrition study ever done was completed; The China Study.

• A partnership between Cornell University, Oxford University and Chinese Ministry of Health.
• 800,000 people over 20 years.
• Analyzed nutritional associations with cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and autoimmune diseases.

One main factor emerged; the amount of animal protein in the diet. (I can hear the vegetarians snickering in the background).

• Dairy (cheese, milk, etc) was the worst risk factor.
• Seafood was the least associated, having only a mild influence.

Diets and Dieting Everywhere!

Even doctors are confused (and often wrong)...

• Different findings, contradictions.
• High fat, low fat.
• High protein, low protein.
• High carbohydrates, low carbohydrates.

Have you noticed each diet is associated with a certain individual's name but no research?

Take-away Lessons Concerning Diets

• Don't think in terms of "diets". Most of us need a lifestyle change, not a temporary fix.
• The Mediterranean Diet is the best researched, healthiest diet for the bulk of the non-vegetarian population.
• Eat 9-13 servings of fruit and veggies per day (see the Nutritional Principles). If you can't, supplement with a whole-food supplement.
• Minimize the amount of animal protein in your diet, especially dairy. If you do, remember to have your doctor monitor your levels of B-12, folic acid and iron. They may take a big drop and require supplementation (mine did).
• Augment your diet with regular exercise, especially with stretching like yoga and low-weights to build bone-mass and flexibility. This becomes critical as we age.

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