Diet, Health

The Mediterranean Diet And Cancer Survivorship, What You Need To Know

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A new study sheds light on how following a Mediterranean diet may benefit cancer survivors by improving heart health and extending life expectancy.

This eating pattern, which emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and health fats, has already been extensively researched in the general population. Its benefits for reducing the risk of chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular conditions and cancer, are well-established. Now, it appears that the Mediterranean diet can also help those who have survived cancer.

The study, conducted on long-term cancer survivors, revealed promising results. On average, the participants had been diagnosed with cancer eight years before they study. Those who adhered closely to a Mediterranean diet saw a 32 percent lower risk of dying from any cause and a 58 percent reduced risk of heart-related death compared to those who did not follow the diet. This suggests that this eating pattern could be a key strategy for promoting longevity and heart health in cancer survivors.

 

The Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on Cancer Survivors

While the Mediterranean diet is already known for its health benefits, the new study highlights its potential impact on cancer survivors specifically.

“Now, our findings indicate that this dietary pattern is also effective for people who already had a cancer diagnosis,” says lead study author Marialaura Bonaccio, PhD, co–principal investigator of the Joint Research Platform at the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention of the IRCCS Neuromed in Milan.

This is particularly significant because cancer survivors face a heightened risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that individuals who have survived cancer are 42 percent more likely to suffer from cardiovascular issues compared to those without a cancer diagnosis. Given this increased risk, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle in crucial for this growing population of survivors.

Study Overview: Data Collection and Analysis

The study gathered data from 802 participants living in Italy. The group included 476 women and 326 men, with an average age of 63. Each participant had received a cancer diagnosis at some point in their life, and the researchers were able to collect relevant medical records and information regarding their cancer treatment history.

Participants were also interviewed about their diet over the previous 12 months, using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The researchers evaluated their diets on a 10-point scale based on how closely they adhered to the Mediterranean diet. The scoring system, ranging from 0 to 9, categorized participants into three groups: poor adherence (0 to 3), average adherence (4 or 5), and high adherence (6 to 9).

Over an average follow-up period of 12 years, 248 participants died, including 59 from cardiovascular-related causes and 140 from cancer. The analysis revealed that for every 2-point increase in a person’s Mediterranean diet score, there was a 16 percent decrease in the risk of death from any cause.

This means that cancer survivors who closely followed the Mediterranean eating pattern were less likely to die from all causes, including heart disease. However, the link between Mediterranean diet score and cancer-related deaths was not statistically significant.

Importantly, the researchers accounted for various factors that could influence the results, such as income, education level, physical activity, and smoking status. Even after controlling for these variables, the protective effects of the Mediterranean diet remained evident.

A Growing Population of Cancer Survivors

The findings of this study are particularly relevant given the increasing number of cancer survivors worldwide. In the United States alone, an estimated 18.1 million people, or 5.4 percent of the population, have survived a cancer diagnosis as of January 2022. By 2032, this number is expected to grow to 22.5 million.

As the population of cancer survivors continues to expand, understanding how lifestyle factors like diet can impact long-term health is becoming increasingly important. This study suggest that cancer survivors may be able to improve their quality of life and longevity by adopting a Mediterranean-style eating pattern.

How the Mediterranean Diet Supports Heart Health and Longevity

There are several mechanisms by which a Mediterranean diet might improve heart health and promote longer life in cancer survivors. The diet is rich in foods that are natural sources of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols. These compounds have powerful anti-inflammatory  and antioxidant properties, which may help reduce the low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress associated with both cardiovascular disease and cancer.

“That may lead to reduced low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress, two mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of both cardiovascular disease and cancer,” says Bonaccio. “Major food sources of polyphenols are fruits and nuts, vegetables, and cereals, as well as olive oil, which is the main source of added fat in the Mediterranean diet.”

In addition to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, the Mediterranean diet’s focus on healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, and fish may also support heart health.

“The Mediterranean diet also encourages balanced eating and nutrient-dense foods, which can help with maintaining a healthy weight and immune function,” added Kate Donelan, RD, at Stanford Health Care, who was not involved in the study. Maintaining a healthy weight and supporting immune function are two key factors that may independently contribute to longer life expectancy in cancer survivors.

Current Dietary Recommendations for Cancer Survivors

Cancer survivors are often advised to adopt a healthy diet to improve their overall health and reduce the risk of recurrence.

According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, cancer survivors should prioritize whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, while avoiding sugary drinks and limiting their intake of fast foods, red and processed meats, and other highly processed foods.

“Although these recommendations do not make direct reference to the Mediterranean diet, they basically align with the Mediterranean diet principles,” Dr. Bonaccio says. This alignment includes a focus on fresh, minimally processed foods, often those that are in season.

Donelan further emphasized that the Mediterranean diet doesn’t require people to eat traditional Greek or Italian cuisine.

“Many people hear the term ‘Mediterranean diet’ and think they need to be eating traditional Greek foods,” she said. “But really, it’s just a shorthand for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, herbs, spices, and teas. Anyone can eat these foods in any style of cuisine they like, not just culinary styles from the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.”

Broader Implications of the Findings

The results of this study align with previous observational studies on the Mediterranean diet and cancer survival.

“In general, these [study] findings support what’s been seen in other observational studies on a Mediterranean diet and cancer survival,” says Steven Clinton, MD, PhD, a researcher and oncologist in the James Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Ohio State University in Columbus, who was not involved in the study.

He emphasized that other types of healthy diets rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables can also contribute to better health outcomes, survival, and quality of life for cancer survivors.

The overarching message of this research is clear: even after a cancer diagnosis, individuals can make a significant impact on their long-term health by adopting a healthy eating pattern like the Mediterranean diet. As Dr. Bonaccio concluded, “The message is that even after a cancer diagnosis, people can make a difference by maintaining or adopting a healthy eating style, such as the Mediterranean diet.”