M-A | Mediterranean & low-fat diets may reduce mortality and non-fatal MI in patients with high cardiovascular risk

Summary: This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to determine the relative efficacy of different diets for preventing mortality and major cardiovascular events in patients at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The study identified 40 randomized trials with 35,548 participants across seven dietary programs.

Moderate certainty evidence showed that Mediterranean and low-fat diets, with or without physical activity or other interventions, reduced all-cause mortality and non-fatal myocardial infarction in patients with increased cardiovascular risk. Mediterranean diet programs were also likely to reduce stroke risk.

Other dietary programs generally were not superior to minimal intervention. When compared with one another, no convincing evidence was found that the Mediterranean diet was superior to the low-fat diets in preventing mortality or non-fatal myocardial infarction.

Article: Comparison of seven popular structured dietary programmes and risk of mortality and major cardiovascular events in patients at increased cardiovascular risk: systematic review and network meta-analysis – The BMJ

News Release: Benefits of Mediterranean and low fat diet programmes in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease – BMJ Newsroom

Commentary: Mediterranean, Low-Fat Diets Both Good for Health: Network Meta-analysis – TCTMD