Polyunsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols and cholesterol metabolism in the Mediterranean diet.
The objective of this work was to review nutritional components of the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is not a specific diet plan or diet program but a collection of eating habits that are traditionally followed by the people of the Mediterranean region. There are at least 16 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and food habits vary between these countries according to culture, ethnic background and religion. The Mediterranean diet, containing olive oil, fish, fruits and vegetable is associated with a low rate of cardivascular and cancer diseases. This diet is rich in phytosterols, squalene, dietary fibre, antioxidants, phenolic substances and polyunsaturated acids.
Zadák
Zdenĕk
Z
Department of Gerontology and Metabolic Care, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. zadak@lfhk.cuni.cz
Hyspler
Radomír
R
Tichá
Alena
A
Solichová
Dagmar
D
Bláha
Vladimír
V
Melichar
Bohuslav
B
D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013185:Squalene / Q000008:administration & dosage
D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010840:Phytosterols; D013185:Squalene; D002784:Cholesterol