The food that will save your LIFE: This Morning's Dr Chris discusses a Mediterranean diet
THIS MORNING’S Dr Chris Steele has urged people to change their diet to include more Mediterranean food in a bid to reduce the risk of premature death.
Mediterranean diet: Dr Chris reveals new findings
The GP joined hosts Ruth and Eamonn to talk about new research which has revealed eating a diet rich in fish, vegetables and olive oil can be as good as statins for heart patients.
Dr Chris said: “We all know about the Mediterranean diet. It is better for us, reduces the risk of heart attack, diabetes, dementia."
The 71-year-old said the 1,200 participants in the study, who all had a history of heart attacks, strokes and blocked arteries, were advised to follow the diet.
The research revealed that, at the end of seven years, those who had adhered to the diet were a third less likely - 37 per cent - to have a died than those who didn't.
Dr Chris appeared on ITV's This Morning to talk about the Mediterranean diet
But Dr Chris said while researchers were often ‘reluctant’ to talk about their research findings in glowing terms, the findings were actually ‘dramatic’.
He added: “We can’t look at drugs as the only way of saving lives. It doesn’t make sense to pay for drugs and not healthy food.”
The GP revealed the biggest effect on patients were vegetables and fish.
People are also advised to eat more white meat - such as turkey or chicken - and less red meat such as beef or lamb.
Dr Chris told viewers about the benefits of eating a Mediterranean diet
The diet could be as good as taking statins, experts have revealed
Brits are being encouraged to eat fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts, lentils and olive oil.
Previously, it was believed cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins were the most effective way of combating heart disease, and said to help reduce major heart problems by around 24 per cent.
Statins are prescribed by doctors to more than two and a half million people in the UK.
The drug has a number of uses, including reducing unhealthy levels of bad cholesterol which can predispose to heart attacks and strokes.
Dr Chris admitted to being on a statin - drugs which are prescribed to reduce cholesterol, but he warned the drugs can have bad side effects.
Dr Chris admitted he took a statin
Ruth and Eamonn talked to Dr Chris about the food people should be eating
“We should all be eating more of a Mediterranean diet any how. If you’re on a statin, don’t stop taking it, just add the diet.
“It is the alternative to medication or ending up on medication.”
Previously, it was believed cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins were the most effective way of combating heart disease, and said to help reduce major heart problems by around 24 per cent.
Dr Chris advised people who said for people who ‘can’t go the whole way’ or will struggle to change their lifestyle completely should eat more vegetables and fish.
“Veg and fish have the biggest effect,” he said.
“Eat tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel and sardines - not fried. If you’re going to have meat, have white meat - chicken and turkey.”