My mother may have been right!

As a kid, my mom always stressed eating healthy (despite the pictures of the Monk Fish she showed me) and going out to "play". Now two studies published in the Archives of Internal Medicine and conducted by the National Institute of Health-AARP of members between the ages of 50 and 71 years old have may have proved her right. (Note: My mother is the healthiest person I know and doesn't need to loose another pound.)

The first study focused on the validity of ye ol' Mediterranean Diet. The Mediterranean Diet focus on the diet of those of that region and how they seem to defy the laws of averages with their lower rates of heart disease and other "health problems".

The focus was on those who ate a diet rich in veggies, fruits, whole grains and healthy oils (aka low saturated fat - fish, olive and nuts). Those who used the Mediterranean Diet were 20% less likely to die of a "health related death".

The second study focused on exercise. Although this is only half of my personal downfall (being a "lazy American") those who exercised moderately (30 min most days - i.e. walking) were 27% less likely to die, period. BUT every little bit did actually help. If the activity level went up to what they considered "vigorous", chances went up to 32%.

Couch potatoes have no fear. Even those who exercised "less than average" were 19% less to die.

So my little ones, like I tell my kiddos, being the Hot Mama I am, go out and move more and eat less and eat smart in 2008.

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20071210/mediterranean-diet-adds-years-life?src=RSS_PUBLIC