Why I Recommend The Mediterranean Diet

Patients trying to achieve good cardiovascular nutrition often ask why I’m so excited about the Mediterranean diet, why I have included it as part of my PAMM diet, and why I think anyone with cardiovascular problems should seriously consider it.

The answer has to do with the essential fatty acids, particularly the omega-3 fatty acids, found in fattier varieties of fish that are a part of this way of eating.  These omega-3 fatty acids are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicospentaenoic acid (EPA).

Both DHA and EPA rejuvenate the body at the cellular level and help reduce inflammation and prevent blood clots—dual processes that may block coronary arteries and ultimately result in heart attack. In this context, the advantage of the Mediterranean diet is clear.

Another feature of the Mediterranean diet that makes it so good for people with cardiovascular problems  is that it limits your carbohydrate intake and emphasizes eating only carbohydrates that rank low on the glycemic index. This index measures the rate at which carbohydrates break down as sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream. Low-glycemic carbohydrates won’t cause your body to secrete excess insulin.

For more information on the Mediterranean diet and great heart-healthy recipes, visit www.drsinatra.com.