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A Greek study released Monday indicates a Mediterranean diet helps improve risk factors linked to diabetes, obesity and heart disease. The new analysis, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology , pulled information from 50 previous studies involving 500, 000 patients. Researchers, led by Dr. Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos of Harakopio University in Athens, found the diet resulted in a 31 percent decrease in risk of developing a prediabetic condition called metabolic syndrome. The diet demonstrated positive effects on waist circumference, blood pressure and blood sugar, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. "The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is increasing rapidly throughout the world, in parallel with the increasing incidence of diabetes and obesity, and is now considered a major public health problem, " said Panagiotakos in a press release from the American College of Cardiology . He added that metabolic syndrome is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and often associated with personal and socioeconomic status as well. "This current study adds to current findings that lifestyle does matter, " Dr. Lisa Jackson, spokesperson for the American College of Cardiology, told AOL Health. She said that patients often have difficulty changing their lifestyles, however, unless they receive support from family and friends. Jackson noted that if diet and activity levels could change on a population level it could significantly reduce the incidence of conditions like diabetes and heart disease. According to Jackson, patients suffering from chronic conditions often need medication, but changes in diet, activity levels and other lifestyle factors can prevent the need for increased doses of medications to control blood pressure or cholesterol. Panagiotakos agreed, telling AOL Health, "It is always far better to prevent than to treat. A Mediterranean diet could prevent future cardio-metabolic disorders." Jackson said patients should discuss their lifestyle habits with their doctor and ask about dietary modifications that could improve their health by lowering their risk for diabetes or heart disease. A Mediterranean diet includes high consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids, primarily from olives and olive oils, as well as daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals and low-fat dairy products. The diet also includes weekly consumption of fish, poultry, tree nuts and legumes, but a relatively low consumption of red meat. A moderate daily consumption of alcohol with meals is also recommended. "A healthy diet can help people lose weight if they need to or maintain weight loss and improve or prevent elevations in blood pressure, " said Jackson. "Often patients feel better eating a healthy diet together with regular physical activity."

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