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Epidemiological Studies on Atherosclerosis: The Role of the Mediterranean Diet in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

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Atherosclerosis and Oxidant Stress

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The Seven Countries Study, reported by Ancel Keys in 1970, was the first substantive epidemiological evidence to support the hypothesis that multiple dietary factors determine coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. This seminal longitudinal study of populations in Europe, Asia, and the United States was conducted with rigorous, standardized dietary data collection and meticulously tracked clinical outcomes. A striking finding was the apparent large CHD risk reduction associated with consumption of a “Crete,” a.k.a. “Mediterranean” diet. Since this report, further research has attempted to confirm these findings and characterize features of the diet which may account for the substantial reduction in CHD risk.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Johns Hopkins Medical University, 2024 East Monument Street, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Edgar R. Miller III PhD, MD

  2. University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 1601 Rio Grance, 78701, Austin, TX, USA

    Thomas P. Erlinger MD, MPH

Authors
  1. Edgar R. Miller III PhD, MD
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  2. Thomas P. Erlinger MD, MPH
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Jordan L. Holtzman M.D., Ph.D

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III, E.R.M., Erlinger, T.P. (2008). Epidemiological Studies on Atherosclerosis: The Role of the Mediterranean Diet in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. In: Holtzman, J.L. (eds) Atherosclerosis and Oxidant Stress. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-72347-1_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-72347-1_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-72345-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-72347-1

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