The Mediterranean Diet: The Optimal Diet for Cardiovascular Health

Diets based on the traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern are becoming increasingly popular because of their healthful benefits, particularly regarding cardiovascular outcomes. Mediterranean diets encourage consumption of a variety of palatable foods, optimizing adherence and sustainability. This review will discuss the current evidence on the efficacy of a low-fat, low-carbohydrate and Mediterranean Diet for weight loss, its mechanisms of action and important clinical considerations.

Target Audience

Cardiologists, Endocrinologists, Family Physicians, General Internists, Gynecologists and Physician Assistants.

Learning Objectives

  • Review metabolic, epidemiologic and clinical trial evidence regarding diet and cardiovascular disease. 
  • Implement strategies to effectively stimulate patients to address the critical role that diet plays in their cardiovascular health.
Additional information
Bibliography: 
  • Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. Estruch R, Ros E, Salas-Salvadó J, Covas MI, Corella D, Arós F, Gómez-Gracia E, Ruiz-Gutiérrez V, Fiol M, Lapetra J, Lamuela-Raventos RM, Serra-Majem L, Pintó X, Basora J, Muñoz MA, Sorlí JV, Martínez JA, Martínez-González MA; PREDIMED Study Investigators. N Engl J Med. 2013 Apr 4;368(14):1279-90. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1200303. Epub 2013 Feb 25. Erratum in: N Engl J Med. 2014 Feb 27;370(9):886
  • Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.      
  • American Heart Association
    http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/Mediterranean-Diet_UCM_306004_Article.jsp
Course Summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 0.50 General certificate of attendance
Course opens: 
05/20/2016
Course expires: 
05/01/2018

Vasanti Malik, Sc.D.
Research Associate, Department of Nutrition 
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, Massachusetts

Vasanti Malik, Sc.D., indicated that neither she nor her spouse/partner has relevant financial relationships with commercial interest companies, and she will not include off-label or unapproved product usage in her presentations or discussions. 

Non-faculty contributors and others involved in the planning, development and editing/review of the content have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer

Baptist Health South Florida is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Baptist Health has been re-surveyed by the ACCME and awarded Commendation for 6 years as a provider of CME for physicians.
             
Baptist Health South Florida designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Available Credit

  • 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 0.50 General certificate of attendance
Please login or register for a Baptist Health CME account to take this course.

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