Cancer patients live longer on Mediterranean Diet, major study finds

People who are fighting back from cancer live longer of they stick to a Mediterranean diet, according to a major new study. Over 13 years, cancer survivors who ate the diet high in vegetables, fish, olive oil and nuts had a 32% lower risk of mortality than those who did not.

Marialaura Bonaccio of the IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo in Pozzilli, Italy, told JACC: CardioOncology : "Our findings suggest maintaining or adopting a traditional [Mediterranean diet] even after a cancer diagnosis may be beneficial and, importantly, motivate additional science regarding the development of dietary recommendations specifically targeted for cancer survivors."

The diet cut the risk of death from any cause, but particular from heart disease. Bonaccio said the diet is "is abundant in foods that are natural sources of polyphenols, which are bioactive compounds with well-established anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities that may be relevant not only to cancer onset and progression but also and possibly even more to cardiovascular mortality prevention."

The study used data from more than 800 patients with an average of of 63. Diet was assessed nine years after diagnosis. The researchers found that those who stuck to a Mediterranean diet were also likely to be more well off and to be more physically active.

Of the 800 in the study, 248 died during the 13 year follow-up period. 140 died of cancer and 59 of cardiovascular disease. On a nine point scale of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, each two-point increase was related to a 16% lower risk of dying during the 13 years.

Flora Clarke of ZOE Nutrition said: "When researchers looked at the diet of over 17,000 people with cardiovascular disease, they found that those who stuck more closely to a Mediterranean diet were less likely to have died from any cause during the following 5–8 years.

"One of the reasons the Mediterranean diet may be associated with lower risks of some long-term diseases is the healthy fats it includes. Unsaturated fats can help to keep your cholesterol levels in check, which is important for your heart health. Several thousand people at high risk of heart disease took part in a study in Spain.

"It found that those who ate Mediterranean diets supplemented with either nuts or extra-virgin olive oil — containing healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — were less likely to have a heart attack in later years than those who followed a low-fat diet.

"The Mediterranean diet has also been linked to a reduced risk of cancer. Scientists think this could be due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of many of the foods it contains, such as fruits and vegetables.

"Another study, involving participants aged 55–80 and taking place over several years, showed that people who ate a Mediterranean diet were more than 50% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who did not follow the diet. "

The Mediterranean diet is a dietary pattern traditionally followed by people living in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Italy, and Spain. It emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods and is associated with various health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. As part of the Mediterranean diet, meals are built around vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans and whole grains, according to the Mayo Clinic.

They say moderate amounts of dairy, poultry and eggs are part of the diet, as is seafood. Red meat is eaten only once in a while.