Mediterranean Diet?
 

Want more information of the health benefits of olive oil and the Mediterranean Diet? Check out the video below by Jeff Novick. about 8 min.

Olive Oil is NOT Health Food but Sick Food - YouTube

Ounce for ounce, olive oil is one of the most fattening, calorically dense foods on the planet. The bottom line is that oil will add fat to our already plump waistlines, heightening the risk of disease, including diabetes and heart attacks, says Dr. Joel Fuhrman.

Dr. Esselstyn agrees, stating that between 14 and 17% of olive oil is saturated, artery-clogging fat, every bit as aggressive in promoting heart disease as the saturated fat in roast beef.

“They (oils) contain saturated fat which immediately injures the endothelial lining of the arteries when eaten. It doesn’t matter whether it’s olive oil, corn oil, or any other kind of oil”, he says.

what about coconut oil

It's oil so same category, coconut milk is ok.

Jimbo, sounds like you're issuing diet advice without information on the patient.

I'm not offering any advise, only options from my own experiences and what I've researched.

Nor am I referring to a patient.

I merely found an interesting video that I thought I would share, nothing more.

I agree that the standard American diet is way too high in saturated fat, especially from all the many animal products. And I agree that those who have a family history of heart disease must take special care to limit saturated fat.

However, I just remembered reading something years ago about the fact that we need some saturated fat in our diets. If we don't get any from our diets our bodies will manufacture it but it won't be as good as what we would get from food. It's important for the building of cell membranes and it also serves as fuel for your heart and other tissues. The bottom line: Saturated fats should be strictly limited but not completely eliminated.

The amount you would get from using a small amount of olive oil, for example, would not be harmful.

For a more complete explanation, search the following: "Why do you need saturated fat? Wiki answers.com"

I'm going to disagree on that point, Wiki is great but not exactly a medical source.

a small amount is harmful, like a drop of gas on a fire.

see [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_o4YBQPKtQ&feature=fvwrel"]this little clip[/ame]

The great Fat debate
 

Here is a link that will explain why some healthy fat is necessary. Coconut oil is the healthiest oil and is great for cooking. Use organic virgin coconut oil which is available in stores and on the internet. There are many references at the bottom of the article. See if the message resonates with you. I am also using it on my psorias spot and it is is clearing up. It also has anti fungal and anti viral properties so I think it is worth checking out. The first link is to the article and the second link is to the coconut research center.

LW888


The Great Fat Debate - Why Virgin Coconut Oil Is Best



Coconut Research Center Home Page

Surely Jimbo is talking about adults in these diet discussions since children , especially very young children need additional nutrients he feels are not good for a body.
Am I correct in making that assumption, Jimbo?

yes I agree, kids are a whole other topic, I don't speak to my gran kids about it, other than to say eat as many veggies as you want.

I have my virgin coconut oil in the fridge and a small amount with my cosmetics and facial products in the bathroom. It is a great face and hand moisturizer!
It's great to cook with, imparting no flavor to whatever you cook in it, however, I do like fried eggs and the coconut oil just doesn't give it the flavor a tiny bit of butter does... ;)

Diets and Politics are two subjects that will never be settled. All i can do is throw my two-cents worth in.
Two years ago I was 78 lbs. heavier than I am now. I started out with a salmond and salad diet, which is like the Mediterranean diet. The most important thing is get up and exercise, exercise, exercise. It doesn't matter what kind just keep moving. At the same time you can't go out in the Villages and eat every night, walk around Sumter Landing eating ice cream cones, or setting at Cody's for happy hour and eating specials everyday. That's what I was told was the cause of The Villages' 30. (weight gain the first year.) I wasn't told what the second year averag was.
I think some of that is probably more important than a spoon full of olive oil. Even though I don't use any oil. Only Pam Spray & that sparingly.
When a person looses several pounds and their joints quit hurting and they can bend over to tie their shoes, that is a life changing event & a big moral booster. Try it. I guarantee You'll like it.

Yes, I agree with the above statement as it applies to the average overweight person that eats the standard American diet. But I don't. I'm at my lowest possible ideal weight. If I go any lower, I'd be underweight. So that doesn't apply to me.

I use 2 teaspoons of olive oil per day and that gives me less than 2 grams of saturated fat. I also use about 1/4 cup of walnuts and that gives me 2 grams of saturated fat. And I enjoy good health with lower than average blood pressure. Usually 100/50

I think you missed the essence of the link. He was critical of those who eat the standard American diet and then use olive oil and wine thinking it will make everything okay. It doesn't. I don't recall him ever saying that there's no safe amount of olive oil consumption when used in a vegan diet.

"no safe amount of olive oil consumption when used in a vegan diet"

He does say that, in fact did in a conversation I had with him.

He stated - zero oil.

A different View from Italy
 

Average Life Expectancy: 81.86 years

Italians live an average of 3.37 years longer than Americans. Many experts draw a connection between their longevity and diet--which is more than just pasta, meat, and cheese. The Mediterranean diet is credited with lowering the risk for all sorts of diseases. The antioxidants found in olive oil and red wine--two key features of an Italian meal--can improve cholesterol, prevent blood clots, and stave off heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. Italians also rely on spices like basil, oregano, and garlic to flavor their cuisine, while Americans depend heavily on salt. As such, Italians improve their odds against high blood pressure and stroke

Have known many Italians who ate the Med. Diet all their lives - didn't help one bit. It's mostly all about genes.

Okay, but he (Novick) did say the following in the above film clip: "If you're eating a really healthy diet, can you get away with a little bit of olive oil? (Then he shrugs) But if you're eating an American diet, should you be putting olive oil on it? No!"

He didn't answer the first question but the assumption is, "yes", you can get away with it. But, for me, it's more than just getting away with it, I need the calories and some fat to utilize the fat soluble vitamins.

I'm going to disagree that oil can improve cholesterol, prevent blood clots, and stave off heart disease in Italy, can you please cite that info.

Cause of death
Coronary disease
Italy 19%
US 21%

Stroke
Italy 14%
US 7%

Diabetes
Italy 4.3%
US 3.6%

Stomach Cancer
Italy 2.47%
US .6%

High BP
Italy 7%
US 3%
Source

Oh I agree with the wine :highfive:

I'm with you Lightworker888....I have been using at least 4TBLSP of Coconut Oil a day for the last year, whether in cooking or even just eating a spoonful. It does wonders....Google and see all the great articles about it.:thumbup::thumbup:

Goggle works both ways try "negative effects coconut oil"

It is better than other oils, but...

German diet.
 

Pickle it first, add a little sugar at the end of cooking and drink a beer with it.

Jimbo,
The article I posted quotes the American Heart Association as the source.



QUOTE=jimbo2012;542463]I'm going to disagree that oil can improve cholesterol, prevent blood clots, and stave off heart disease in Italy, can you please cite that info.

Cause of death
Coronary disease
Italy 19%
US 21%

Stroke
Italy 14%
US 7%

Diabetes
Italy 4.3%
US 3.6%

Stomach Cancer
Italy 2.47%
US .6%

High BP
Italy 7%
US 3%
Source

Oh I agree with the wine :highfive:[/QUOTE]

I looked up negative effects of coconut oil and here is a link. Seems that there is no definitive evidence and note that the naysayers or cautioners are those associated with FDA and the like, which always makes me leery of the motive.

Bad Effects Of Using Coconut Oil | LIVESTRONG.COM

Seems that the argument re being a saturated fat is flawed as coconut oil has a different chain of molecules that make it different from other saturated fats. It may or may not be the "miracle" oil that some think of it as, but from all that I've read on both sides, it is still the only oil I use for cooking and I use olive oil for salads and uncooked uses. The one oil I stopped using years ago was canola oil, but that's another story!


LW888

I just got Dr Esslestyn's book and am trying hard to follow his program. I have 3 stents in my coronary arteries and have put on a bit of weight over the past few years. I have read a lot of different books on nutrition and sometimes don't know what to believe. A few years back, Dr Atkins and Dr Agatston seemed to make a lot of sense and had studies to back up what they were saying. Prior to that I was trying to follow the sports nutrition program of Dr Robert Haas which was the complete opposite of what Atkins and Agatston had to say. Now I'm looking at Dr Esslestyn. It all makes complete sense, but it's very difficult to totally change the way that you've been eating for most of your life.
Are there a lot of people here in TV that follow Dr Esslestyn's diet? Maybe we can form an informal club.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_o4YBQPKtQ&feature=relmfu]No Oil -- Not Even Olive Oil! - YouTube[/ame]

Dr. Earl Mindell R.PH., M.PH., PH.D, author of the Vitamin Bible, has stated that olive oil can help lower cholesterol. Olive oil was one of several food items listed for the purpose of lowering cholesterol. Dr. Mindell is a registered pharmacist.

Of course it goes without saying that some Italians can mess things up by overeating certain food items like spaghetti, meatballs and sausage. In other words, if they gain too much weight by overeating the wrong foods, olive oil and wine may not be enough to prevent disease.

:BigApplause:

You R about to see the biggest improvement in your coronary health starting in 3-4 weeks. The plaque will start to decrease, there have been documented patients that have completely opened up their blockages in under 30 months.

As to losing weight don't even think about it, eat as much as U want and U will lose anyway.

If U would like Dr. E contact info PM me.

Club? I may be interested in that.

You can find a book or a doctor or a fad or an internet source to support almost any position. There are no magic solutions, although you'll hear about a new one every day. I believe that living a joyful life will make you healthy.

There's another one that may be easier to follow. It is: "The Cardiovascular Cure" by John P. Cooke PHD. You don't have to be a vegetarian or vegan to reverse heart disease. If I remember correctly, his book allows for small amounts of lean meat. (Maybe not red meat but perhaps chicken-breast and fish.)

Barefoot,
 

I was about to say the same thing. My DH has been doing so much searching lately and depending on your filter, you can find a reason not to eat anything! We are currently back to watching our PH more closely and we are finding that 1tsp of baking soda, 1tsp of molasses in a cup of water which we split between us has really helped to get the PH consistently around 7.

When using the internet and deciding which path to follow, I have also found that it is necessary to check out more than one approach. That is why moderation is so important especially when we are hyped up about something. For me the 80-20 rule works best and helps to keep things in perspective. That being said, I know that it is easy to slip back if you haven't really embraced a particular lifestyle so we tend to go strict at first and then when we ease back we don't slip back as much. The only thing we have never gone back to was macrobiotic which I am sure is good for us, but I couldn't get excited about anything I ate and my DH really hated polenta. Now that there is so much out there about corn, it is probably just as well that we aren't eating it any more.

BTW I tried the baking soda and Apple Cider Vinegar for brushing teeth and removing plaque last night..........I'm a convert! It felt REALLY plaque free and squeaky clean.

Villages Pl. What is the motivation for the posting on here about the diet and health practices that you have chosen for yourself? Do you care about all of us? Are you concerned that your insurance rates will go up with all of our bad habits? Do you want to share your good information? Do you want to make a difference?

I have found with these sorts of things that I can only marginally influence the folks who are most tuned in to me.

I think it is interesting to know what others do about their diet and their health ....to a point...and that point is that I will consult the experts who guide my health issues; the institutions and doctors and medical experts who have saved my life and continued to guide my health choices.

I have noticed that seven or eight people are trying the vegan diet that you and Jimbo promote. I hope that makes you feel good.

Again I ask. What is your goal in talking about your diet on this forum?

And you base that belief on what scientific evidence? Isn't that a magic solution?

According to Dr Esslestyn some studies have shown a slight decrease in LDL and a slight increase in HDL connected to olive oil. But longer term studies and autopsies of the people in these studies have shown no difference in coronary artery disease between the people in these studies.

No scientific evidence at all, no, not a bit. I don't think a joy-filled life is a magic solution or anything new! That style of living has probably been around for at least 3,000 years. But if you live a joy-filled life, even if you die young, you'll probably die happy. You won't find it promoted by Dr. Oz because he can't make any money from selling pills.

Gracie, I'm only answering for myself not VillagePL,

This thread was about the Mediterranean Diet not vegan diet.

why you ask, simple only to allow others to investigate the benefits of a vegan diet with facts, not the writings of non qualified self proclaimed experts.

I have received PM's from folks here that thank me for bringing this to their attention.

I was first introduced be the books of Dr's. Dean Ornish Esseletyn and Campbell. These were the foundation of Bill Clinton's turn around in his diet.

I not only see the results in my wife and myself but other close family members and friends that changed the eating habits as have now several million in the USA.

Are there other diets that will help sure, the issue is do they help a little or lot.

Do what works for you if you like meat fine, do it, you're all adults.

Remember most vegans don't take any or very limited meds.


.

You said it, a vegan diet is not magic, it's too simple.

And Dr. Oz can't sell it in a pill.

One of the problems that I'm finding is that it is sometimes difficult to find products that are recommended. For example it is very difficult to find non fat soy milk. I can find 1.5%. I did find some fat free, but it comes in small quantities and is vert expensive. Why is fat free cow's milk not allowed? It would seem to me that if the objective is to eliminate fat from the diet then fat free cow's milk would be better for you than 1.5% soy milk.

What about olives? I know that olive oil is prohibited, but what about olives? I find nothing in the book on that.

I also wonder why all oils are banned, but foods that contain those oils, such as corn are allowed. If I eat corn, am I not consuming corn oil?

I also have Dr Dean Ornish's book though I haven't read it yet. I understand that he allows egg whites and some other animal based proteins. Does anyone have any experience with the Ornish program?

Why do baseball fans or baseball players like to talk about baseball? Why do people like to talk about books on the "book board"? Why do Villagers like to talk about the Villages?

Sometimes one never knows how much someone else gets influenced. A few decades back I was restricting fat in my diet. That's because I kept hearing announcements on the radio that said, "eat less fat". Less? Less than what? And then one day I visted some friends and a woman told me, "you need some fat in your diet". Well, her suggestion didn't have an immediate effect but I always remembered it. And eventually I started reading a Zone book and learned how to consume some good fats in reasonable amounts.

Does that mean you depend on your medical doctor(s) for your nutritional/dietary advice? Is that your only source of information?

I'm not keeping score. And just because I'm a vegan doesn't mean everyone else has to be a vegan. You probably got that idea because I may have given the reasons why I think being a vegan is important for my health. I think it provides the lowest possible risk for all kinds of degenerative diseases. But if someone else decides to choose eating animal protein and doesn't mind the additional risk, that's their decision.

I explaned it above. What's your goal? Why are you here? What do you hope to accomplish?

Based on what you have said above, what does the longer term study prove? That cholesterol makes no difference in coronary artery disease?

Why do you need to drink any kind of milk? What is the point of it?

I had the same idea once until I read the nutrition label in the supermarket. The sodium content of olives is very high. The next time you go to the supermarket, read the label and see what you think.

It's simply to keep fat consumption to a minimum. Whether it's necessary or not is another story.

I read a few of his books and I seem to remember that one of his books offered a choice of diet plans. And the idea is to pick one based on what you are trying to accomplish.