The Mediterranean Diet is a widely respected and highly acclaimed diet based on the food and lifestyles common to the people of Greece, Crete and coastal Italy. The Mediterranean Diet has garnered significant attention from both the public and the medical community, including endorsement by theMayo ClinicandTheNew England Journal of Medicine. In addition to being a healthy, extremely effective way of losing weight, the Mediterranean diet is considered an effective means of avoiding or reversing many health issues, such as obesity, pre-Diabetes, and cardiovascular issues. On 2/25/2013, TheNew England Journal of Medicinereported, Mediterranean diet supplemented with eitherextra-virgin olive oil or nuts resulted in an absolute risk reduction ofapproximately 3 major cardiovascular events per 1000 person-years, for arelative risk reduction of approximately 30%, among high-risk persons who wereinitially free of cardiovascular disease. Based on the findings byTheNew England Journal of Medicine, TheNew York Timesreported, About30 percent of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease can beprevented in people at high risk if they switch to a Mediterranean diet rich inolive oil, nuts, beans, fish, fruits and vegetables, and even drink wine withmeals, a large and rigorous new study has found. The findings, publishedonTheNew EnglandJournal of Medicine'sWeb site on Monday, were based on thefirst major clinical trial to measure the diet's effect on heart risks. Themagnitude of the diet's benefits startled experts. The study ended early, afteralmost five years, because the results were so clear it was consideredunethical to continue. The Mediterranean diet encourages meals which consist largely of healthy foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil and other healthy fats, fish and seafood, nuts, legumes and dairy products. Meat and poultry are kept to a minimum, and foods are prepared in ways that maximize their health benefit, including sauteing, broiling, roasting and grilling. The Mediterranean diet is very low in saturated fats, yet provides a high-protein, high-fiber diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and Omega 3s. The Mediterranean diet focuses on healthy ingredients and preparation, rather than reducing what you eat or counting calories. The biggest difference with respect to other diets is that the Mediterranean diet leaves one feeling comfortably full, rather than hungry, as most diets do. As a result, adherents to the Mediterranean diet are more successful in losing and maintaining their ideal weight, and enjoy higher energy, more restful sleep, and better overall health. Extensively researched, The Mediterranean Diet explains the fundamental concepts of the Mediterranean diet in easy-to-understand language, and provides expert tips, guidelines, recipes, and even meal plans for maximizing your success in achieving your ideal weight and health.