The vessels’ walls

As much for its influence on health as for it’s cooking style, the so called Mediterranean diet has become a star in current nutrition.  Since some years ago, it has been guaranteed that this type of food, rich in fish, fruits and vegetables, with special attention on olive oil, helps prevent high cholesterol and even lower cholesterol levels, thus preventing arteriosclerosis and vascular accidents.

It has been proven that the influence of Mediterranean nutrition on the internal lining of arteries, the endothelium, which plays a leading role in maintaining vascular tone and normal blood circulation, is a property of omega 3 acids from fish and the monosaturated fatty acids of olive oil.

The endothelium secretes certain chemicals needed for the dilation and constriction of vessels.  That mechanism is altered based on atherosclerotic processes and, in consequence, of vascular accidents.  The process is progressive, since the wrong endothelial function allows the formation of atheromatous plaque, which worsens the endothelium’s function, mutually developing.

However, this is not the only benefit of the Mediterranean diet.  It modifies cholesterol levels and decreases oxidation of lipoproteins, improves glucose metabolism and reduces the tendency to produce blood thrombus.

Learn to control cholesterol: learn how to choose foods for the cholesterol content.

Saturated fats can cause breast cancer because they increase estrogen levels in women.