Health
Specific diet could help prevent diabetes, study says
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 16, 2008
Sticking closely to a traditional Mediterranean diet provides substantial protection against type 2 diabetes, says a British Medical Journal study published online May 29.
The diet -- which is rich in olive oil, grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables and fish; but low in meat, dairy products and alcohol -- has been shown to provide protection from cardiovascular disease. But little had been known about its ability to protect people from type 2 diabetes.
The researchers followed 13,380 graduates from the University of Navarra in Spain for about 4.4 years. None had diabetes at the study's start. but 33 cases of new-onset type 2 diabetes developed during the study. A high adherence to the diet was associated with an 83% relative reduction in the risk of developing the disease, researchers said. Those with moderate adherence were 60% less likely than those with low adherence to develop type 2 diabetes.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/06/16/hlbf0616.htm.
