subject: Is It Too Good To Be True? [print this page] The Mediterranean diet has already been shown to lower cardiovascular risk, increase weight loss, lower cancer risk, improve diabetes and reduce the pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis. Now a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests it may improve bone health too. In the diet of primarily fruits, vegetables, breads, beans, nuts and seeds, olive oil is the main source of fat. Of 127 elderly men, those eating the olive-oil-enriched diet had higher levels of the protein osteocalcin, which affects bone formation. Considering osteoporosis affects 10 million Americans, we should "bone up" on the Mediterranean diet.
Vitamin C may lessen the effects of air pollution. Antioxidants, like vitamin C, may protect cells from harmful molecules called free radicals, which can form when air pollution enters the lungs. A study in Epidemiology looked at levels of "course particulate matter", which is produced mainly by burning fossil fuels. For every 10 microgram increase per cubic meter of course particulate matter, there was a 35% increased risk of hospitalization for people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the risk was 1.2 times greater for those with lower levels of vitamin C. Maybe George Bush, Sr. should eat broccoli.
Brushing your teeth may lower the risk of dementia. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society followed 5,468 people ages 52-105 for 18 years. Those who brushed their teeth less than once daily were up to 65% likelier to develop dementia than people who brushed daily. Inflammation caused by gum-disease-related bacteria is involved in heart disease, stroke and diabetes; and tests have shown Alzheimer's patients have more of this type of bacteria in their brains. However, a 2012 study showed 25% of seniors don't have their natural teeth. They can safely "brush off" these findings.
And the news about coffee keeps getting better. It may prevent oxygen radicals from damaging DNA and adenosine receptors from slowing neural activity, which makes us feel sleepy. It may lower levels of insulin and estrogen, which can lower risk of endometrial and prostate cancers. There's strong evidence coffee prevents type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease and that it has antidepressant effects. It may lower risk of liver cancer and heart failure. It may also prevent against basal cell carcinoma, the commonest type of skin cancer, and promote longer life. This information is definitely "worth a hill of beans".
