The researchers devised their very own Mediterranean diet scale based on study participants’ intake of various foods. Participants were given a point if they had higher than average intake of vegetables, fruits, legumes, cereals, fish, and red wine during meals. They were given a point if they had lower than average intake of red meat, processed meats, and dairy products. Due to differences among the 12 studies, “the total adherence scores…varied from a minimum of 0 points indicating low adherence to a maximum of 7-9 points reflecting high adherence to a Mediterranean diet.”

And most people think olive oil is prominent component of the diet. It is, but you don’t see it here.

This is non-standard, idiosyncratic Mediterranean diet definition. I’m familiar with most of the studies that comprise the meta-analysis. Those studies use reasonable Mediterranean diet definitions. So I think the study results are valid. Not much new here for anyone paying close attention to the medical literature. I admit I had not been aware that the diet seems to reduce Parkinson’s disease incidence.

For my full analysis, consider a visit to:
http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/?p=70

-Steve

PS: I envy your ability to utilize your sidebars. I’m trying to figure out how to do it with my Wordpress blog. I’m afraid to try anything, worried that I’ll screw it up irretrievably.