1. Is the Mediterranean Diet Heart Healthy? by Karee Daniel, RN

2. Health Concerns
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide (Martinez-Gonzalez et al.)
Dramatic rise in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension
Mediterranean diet determined to be “heart healthy”

3. What is the Mediterranean Diet?
Fruits and vegetables
Olive oil
Legumes, grains, nuts
Roasted chicken, fish, lamb
Yogurt and cheese
Moderate wine consumption
Spices rather than salt
(Nagel, 2010)

4. Mediterranean Diet vs. DASH

5. Mediterranean vs. DASH DASH –high carb, low fat
Mediterranean diet-low carb, high fat
Monounsaturated fat: % DASH, Mediterranean diet is 28%
Carbohydrates: DASH 53%, Mediterranean 38%
Protein sources: Dash includes red meat, Mediterranean diet suggests red meat be eaten very sparingly (Zelman, 2011)

6. History of Turkish Cuisine
Tradesman: hunters, fishermen, cooks, bakers, butchers, cheese makers, yogurt merchants were sacred trades (Isin, 2011)
Ottoman’s homes had elaborate kitchens
Turkish people did not like sauces or spices to detract from flavor of main ingredient

7. Dinner in Turkey

8. Dinner in America

9. Key to the Mediterranean Diet
Antioxidants (Lunn, 2007)
Fruits, vegetables
Olive oil-cold pressed
Red wine

10. Free Radical?
Electrons are involved in chemical reactions and they bond atoms to form molecules
Free radical is formed when a molecule splits in a way that leaves an odd unpaired electron
The molecule will steal electrons from other molecules to maintain balance

11. Antioxidants
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating one of their electrons
Antioxidant is stable without a missing electron
Vitamin E and C most abundant in the body

12. Turkey Ranked 44th 55% of death in Turkey classified CVD
(World Health Organization, 2011)

13. Additional Considerations
44% of Turkish adults smoke (World Health Organization, 2011)
Increasing interest in McDonalds, Subway, and Carl Jr.
Increasing amounts of time spent watching television and on the computer

14. Conclusion
Provide nutritional counsel for patients with heart disease, obesity and diabetes
Hosting food demonstrations featuring healthy food choices and healthier cooking techniques
Education on utilizing local grocery store nutritional guide

15. References Iain, M. (2011). A mirror of society: Cuisine.
LuAnn, J. (2007). Monounsaturates in the diet. British Nutrition Foundation, 32,
Martinez-Gonzalez, M., Bes-Rastrollo, M., Serra-Majem, L., Lairon, D., Estruch, R., & Trishopoulou, A. (2009, May). Mediterranean food pattern and the primary prevention of chronic disease: Recent developments. Nutrition Review, 67.
Nagel, G. (2010, January 27). Diet rich in fruit and vegetables prevents heart disease. Nursing Standard, 24.
World Health Organization. (2011). Cardiovascular disease statistics.
Zelman, K. (2011, Winter). The DASH diet vs. Mediterranean diet. Nutrition Close-Up.