Med diet slows ageing process

It helps counter cognitive decline, reduces inflammation – linked to a range of chronic conditions from heart disease to arthritis and some cancers – and stops deterioration of muscles and tissues.

But the real key is sticking to the diet – and taking CoQ10 supplements, the researchers say.

In a series of six separate research papers, researchers have explored the health benefits of the diet that includes whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruit, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, nuts and seeds as the principal source of fat, and moderate amounts of fish and dairy, and even less red meat, and all washed down by a glass of wine at meals.

One group of researchers discovered that the range of health benefits directly corresponded with the level of adherence to the diet; in other words, the more you stuck to it, the higher the score in healthy ageing measures.

Despite the number of researchers investigating the diet, none could come up with the reason as to why it works so well, although one took a stab: it lowers lipids, or blood fats, protects from oxidative stress – when the immune system doesn’t counteract free radicals – reduces inflammation, and slows growth factors that contribute to cancer.

(Source: Journal of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2018; 73: 315-354)

What do you think? Start a conversation over on the... WDDTY Community