CosBeauty Magazine #101

FEATURE
Low disease diets
Dr Javier Gomez Pavon from the Spanish Society of Geriatrics
and Gerontology noted current evidence indicates certain
types of ‘diet in population cohort’ studies are associated with
a lower incidence and prevalence of certain diseases.
Among many contrasting examples he cited:
• the Mediterranean diet has been shown to be associated
with lower cardiovascular risk (stroke, ischemic heart
disease, dyslipidemia) and lower risk of cognitive
impairment, especially due to its vascular component;
• eating nuts (almonds, walnuts) is associated with less
dyslipidemia;
• a diet rich in fibre is also associated with less colonic
digestive pathology, such as constipation and especially
colon cancer;
• a diet low in fatty meats and rich in fruits and vegetables is
associated with less prostate, breast and colon disease;
• a diet with adequate protein intake is related to better
muscle mass at all ages;
• a diet rich in calcium products (nuts and dairy products) is
linked to better bone mass and less osteoporosis.
Dr Pavon observed: ‘At the moment, there is no study
that links any type of diet with greater longevity – although in
view of these data, it seems logical that a Mediterranean diet
rich in fruits, vegetables, vegetables with proteins of animal
origin, preferably fish or white meat, and avoiding excess red
meat and its calcium component in the form
of nuts and dairy products would be associated with better
disease-free ageing.’
Common dietar
Since diet is currently the ‘most easily
accessible element to slow down ageing’,
Dr Pavon told Medscape.com it is important
to refute many widespread myths currently
circulating about food and longevity.
One myth regarding dairy products is that
yoghurt is not useful for the elderly because
they do not have adequate enzymes to
digest it, and it is only for children or young
people who are growing.
Dr Pavon retorted: ‘It is not true. Dairy
products are not important for their proteins
but for their calcium and vitamin D content
– fundamental elements at all ages, but
especially in ageing, where there is bone loss
secondary to ageing itself and an increased
risk of osteoporosis and associated
fractures. Especially in the elderly, the tragic
hip fracture is associated with high morbidity
and mortality.’
Another common myth it that ‘it is not
good to eat fruit with meals’.
Dr Pavon answered: ‘Due to its rich
content in antioxidants and vitamins, it is a
fundamental food of the Mediterranean diet.
Antioxidants of any type (nuts, vegetables,
fruits) are undoubtedly the most important
components against pathological ageing
(stroke, myocardial infarction, dementia).
‘It may be true that they can be more
easily digested if they are eaten outside of